Senior Lawyer - Criminal Litigation - 3 Month Contract

Summary

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver expert legal advice, representation, and support to officers, elected members, and client departments.
  
  


• Oversee a complex caseload involving criminal litigation and regulatory enforcement.
  
  


• Conduct thorough legal research and provide practical solutions to intricate legal challenges.
  
  


• Draft, review, negotiate, and amend various legal documents, pleadings, notices, and correspondence.
  
  


• Serve as an advocate, representing the Local Authority in Magistrates' Courts, Crown Courts, Tribunals, Licensing Hearings, and other legal proceedings.
  
  


• Advise on criminal and regulatory matters, including Trading Standards, Food Safety, Licensing, Environmental Enforcement, and related prosecutions.
  
  


• Handle sensitive, high-profile, and contentious issues with professionalism and discretion.
  
  


• Provide guidance on appeals, judicial reviews, and higher court proceedings as needed.
  
  


• Attend and advise committees, sub-committees, working groups, and member meetings.
  
  


• Offer training, mentoring, and guidance to junior legal staff and support officers.
  
  


• Stay informed on relevant legislation, regulations, case law, and best practices.
  
  


• Contribute to service improvement initiatives, policy development, and modernization within Legal Services.
  
  


• Promote adherence to data protection, information governance, and professional standards.
  
  

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practicing certificate.
  
  


• At least 2 years of post-qualification experience.
  
  


• Extensive experience in criminal litigation.
  
  


• Proven track record in advocacy within courts, tribunals, and regulatory hearings.
  
  


• Strong knowledge of criminal law, regulatory enforcement, and prosecution work.
  
  


• Experience advising on Trading Standards, Food Safety, Licensing, and other regulatory matters.
  
  


• Proficient in drafting, negotiation, and legal research.
  
  


• Ability to independently manage a complex caseload.
  
  


• Experience advising senior officers, elected members, and key stakeholders.
  
  


• Solid understanding of Local Authority governance and decision-making processes.
  
  


• Capable of working effectively under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.
  
  


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
  


• Strong analytical skills and commercial awareness.
  
  

Desirable

• Previous experience in Local Authority legal work.
  
  


• Advocacy experience across diverse criminal and regulatory proceedings.
  
  


• Experience attending and advising Licensing Committees.
  
  


• Experience handling judicial review proceedings and appeal work.
  
  


• Experience supervising trainees, legal assistants, or junior lawyers.
  
  

Additional

• Attendance at court hearings, committees, and meetings is required.
  
  


• Flexibility to work outside normal office hours as needed to meet service demands.
  
  


• Opportunity to engage in complex and high-profile criminal litigation matters.
  
  


• Hybrid working may be available, subject to service requirements.
  
  

What's on Offer?

• £45.84 per hour (Umbrella)
  
  


• 3 Month Contract
  
  


• Full-Time Hours
  
  


• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
  


• High-profile and varied criminal litigation caseload.
  
  


• Opportunity to provide advocacy and strategic legal advice.
  
  


• Supportive Local Authority legal team.
  
  


• Potential for contract extension.