Hillingdon is London's second largest borough. Our staff live across Hillingdon and beyond, with our main council offices at the Civic Centre in the heart of vibrant Uxbridge town centre. Putting our residents first is at the heart of everything we do, and we are embarking on an ambitious plan to modernise our service offering, while sustaining the high-quality delivery.
We operate a busy, innovative and dynamic Legal Department, which is committed to providing high-quality, client focused legal services. The team works in close collaboration with our service areas providing a comprehensive support service across a wide range of Council areas including adult and children’s care, planning, housing and litigation.
Job Purpose
To assist in the provision of an efficient and cost effective legal service to all relevant departments such as the Planning Team, Highways Team and Specialist Planning Team
Key Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of the role will include;
- Conduct of cases in all Courts, Tribunals etc to appear personally on the Council's behalf in all Civil and Criminal Courts and before Tribunals, Inquiries etc
- Instruct Counsel and other experts, as required
- Drafting legal documents, including section 106 agreements as required by the client departments to fulfil their functions
- To attend and advise at Committee and Sub-Committee meetings in relation to work undertaken by the Planning & Corporate Team
- To attend and advise at meetings of working parties and officer groups as a representative of the Planning & Corporate Team
- To give legal advice to the departments served by the Planning Team as and when required.
- Keep clients, Members and officers informed of new legislation and case law relevant to their operations to ensure that they maintain a sound appreciation of legal requirements.
- To provide legal comments for reports to Cabinet Members, Cabinet and other Committees
- To assist client departments in unravelling the implications of new legislation and case law.
What we are looking for
Our ideal candidate will have been admitted as a Solicitor or Barrister or a Legal Executive in England and Wales or Common Law jurisdiction, with a background in planning, highways or environmental law. You will have the ability to manage a demanding caseload, with high levels of attention to detail and a track record in effective decision making. You will have excellent communication skills, be highly organised and with a high degree of professionalism.
What we offer
The role offers a competitive salary of £46,512 to £50,574 per year. New employees are usually offered the starting salary of the band, however for more experienced candidates’ consideration may be made to join at a salary on a higher level within the band. We offer a range of Company benefits. These vary according to the business area and role but may include:
- Local government average salary pension scheme
- Free parking (4 days a week) if based at the Civic Centre
- 36-hour week for all full-time staff
- Generous holiday entitlement: a minimum 23 days a year (plus bank holidays), rising to 28 days after five years' service. For more senior positions holiday entitlements can rise to a maximum of 36 days
- Career breaks
- Flexible working hours
- Season ticket loan
- Childcare vouchers in school summer holidays
- Access to a Credit Union
- Access to a wide range of training and courses
- Discount on a variety of Adult Education courses run by the Council
- Payment of professional fees where these are required
- Discounts at council-owned leisure centres and swimming pools at Hillingdon (Uxbridge), Queensmead (South Ruislip), Highgrove (Ruislip) and Botwell Green (Hayes)
- Cycle purchase scheme
- Car sharing scheme
Our borough offers fantastic transport links with the A40, M25, the Metropolitan, Elizabeth, and Piccadilly lines all local to us, so you can travel to work with ease, with free parking within our own car park. We also offer a hybrid working arrangements, with time balanced between the office and home. The role will require attendance at meetings outside of working hours, and you may be required to work from a range of locations across the Borough.