Principal Litigation Lawyer

Service Care Legal are working in partnership with a forward-thinking local authority in Essex to recruit an experienced Locum Principal Litigation Lawyer for a full-time, temporary assignment. This role offers the chance to step into a senior legal position, managing a diverse caseload across civil and criminal litigation within a supportive and progressive team.

ROLE: Locum Principal Litigation Lawyer
LOCATION: Essex / hybrid working
RATE: £55–£60 per hour umbrella / £53.28ph PAYE inc. holiday pay / £47.54 per hour exc. holiday pay
CONTRACT: Initial 3 months with possibility of extension, 36 hours per week

This role offers hybrid working arrangements, with the flexibility to work remotely for the majority of the week.

About the Role

• As the Principal Litigation Lawyer, you will act as the key advisor on litigation matters for the council, providing strategic legal guidance to officers and elected members.
• You’ll handle a varied workload, play a central role in court proceedings, and help shape policy decisions across legal services.
• Represent the authority in County and Magistrates' Courts
• Manage a wide range of legal matters, including:
• Housing possession and anti-social behaviour cases
• Judicial review proceedings
• Homelessness and housing appeals
• Injunction applications
• Licensing appeals and committee support
• Defended debt claims and planning prosecutions
• Provide high-quality legal advice across departments
• Draft legal documentation including claims, summonses, and evidence bundles
• Participate in the Licensing Hearing rota (training available if needed)

The Person

• A qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Legal Executive (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years’ PQE
• Experienced in court advocacy across both civil and criminal litigation
• Competent in legal drafting and case assessment
• Skilled at managing cases through to completion, often independently
• Ideally experienced with local authority licensing and planning enforcement matters
• Adaptable, proactive, and solution-focused in approach

Should this be an opportunity of interest, please feel free to reach out to me on or email across an updated CV for review. We welcome referrals which could be worth £250 each so please also bear this in mind.