Job summary

***TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLEPLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK (BOTTOM RIGHT) WHICH WILL TAKE YOU TO THE WILTSHIRECOUNCIL CAREERS SITE TO APPLY, WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT ANY APPLICATIONS VIA NHSJOBS***

Legal - Embrace Opportunities with Us

As a Litigation Solicitor with a focus on Adult Care, your experience in local authority Adult Care work is highly valued. You'll be a key part of our tight-knit team, collaborating closely with experienced instructing officers who appreciate dedicated legal professionals like you.

Main duties of the job

In this role, you will advise on court applications related to disputed capacity and best interest decisions, participate in Court of Protection proceedings (sometimes through remote hearings, but increasingly in person), handle applications concerning the Displacement/Appointment of nearest relatives (under section 29 of the Mental Health Act), advise on policies and discrete issues, and contribute to training initiatives as needed.

Your responsibilities will cover a wide spectrum of Adult Care matters, for example, ordinary residence disputes, safeguarding and care management resolutions, challenges to community care decisions, complaints and public law challenges, and inter-agency disputes.

About us

While your contractual location will be our County Hall office in Trowbridge, we support a flexible work environment. You can explore hybrid working arrangements to strike the right balance between your personal life and commitment to our Legal Service. Regular office attendance is expected, currently on a two-weekly rota.

Why us?

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.

This position comes with a 15% market supplement payment. All market supplement payments are subject to review on an annual basis.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Accountable to the Litigation Team Leader:

To manage a wide ranging caseload of both straightforward and complex legal work; and to provide high quality legal advice.This grade is appropriate to a solicitor/barrister with a minimum of five years post qualification experience, one of which must have been spent practising in a relevant area of law. The solicitor/barrister must be capable of the following:

(a) working with limited support and supervision;

(b) giving advice and representation in the area of work allocated; (c) prioritising a caseload, varied in its complexity;

(d) resolving a wide range of legal problems;

(e) demonstrating a good knowledge of the framework of local government;

(f) negotiating with others or holding their own with senior officers or in Court.

CompetenciesTo be appointed to Senior Solicitor (Level 3) the solicitor/barrister must be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

(a) 1, 2, 3 at least 1 and preferably 2 from (a) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

(b) 1, 2, 3, 4

(c) 1, 2

(d) 1, 2, 3

(e) 1, 2, 3

(g) 2

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

To provide high quality, general and specialist legal advice to all levels of client departments on issues of varying complexity within agreed timescales.

To proactively support clients in areas of their work which have a legal dimension.

To manage and progress a caseload of straightforward, complex and highly complex legal work for client departments and in support of corporate initiatives.

To keep relevant stakeholders informed of the progress of the case, taking due regard of Court dates, priorities, deadlines, and the units quality standards.

To project manage the research, compilation and briefing/presentation process in relation to significant cases, including attending case conferences and updating internal management at the highest level.

To undertake significant advocacy work at Magistrates Court and in Courts at higher level or equivalent, liaising with officers of the Courts, solicitors, barristers and their staff, and members of the public as appropriate.

To brief external agents and barristers as required on cases of significant complexity.

To monitor and review the use of external legal service providers.

In providing legal advice, managing a case, undertaking advocacy and meeting with clients, to take responsibility for demonstrating thorough preparation, research and application of rigorous analytical problem solving methods.

To contribute to the Legal Units continued achievement of quality standards.

To participate positively and constructively in the Corporate Appraisal Scheme.

To ensure that work is of the highest quality and accords with current regulations/ legislation/Court practice.

To contribute and on occasions to lead in the process of evaluating the Units performance, processes and procedures and to contribute significantly to the drawing up of the Units Business Plan as required.

To build positive working relationships within the Legal Unit, working constructively with their Line Manager to identify strengths and agree action in relation to development needs.

To manage own time effectively and prioritise workload.

To participate in the Law Societys Professional Development Scheme and to develop a detailed up-to-date knowledge of the law in relation to areas most commonly encountered and areas specific to the departments mainly supported.

To proactively develop and maintain IT skills needed to work most effectively.

To provide cover for colleagues in work of a similar nature.

The postholder is responsible for his/her own self development on a continuous basis and as such will be expected to undertake suitable training.

The postholder must at all times carry out his/her duties with due regard to the Councils Equal Opportunities Policies and the requirements of Health & Safety legislation and policies.

The postholder must also undertake other duties appropriate to the grading of the post as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

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Desirable

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Experience

Essential

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Desirable

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