OPPORTUNITIES
ROLE: ASSISTANT SOLICITOR/SENIOR LEGAL EXECUTIVE
RESPONSIBLE TO: SOLICITOR AND MONITORING OFFICER
SALARY: £26589 - £34140
Dear Prospective Candidate,
I am pleased that you have asked for an information pack for the post of Assistant Solicitor/Legal Executive. I hope that this information will help you decide whether or not to apply.
Torridge District Council has been undergoing massive change and, moreover, improvement. From the enclosed literature you will see that we have clear strategic aims and a sense of purpose. These are embodied in our Strategic Plan which is currently being refreshed. The pace of improvement is very quick and to help sustain that improvement Torridge needs strong support services. Many of the projects that we have underway or are planning will require a legal input. A flexible and knowledgeable legal team is therefore vital to the Council.
The role of Assistant Solicitor/Legal Executive will be to drive forward some of those projects that are property based. It will also be to deal with all legal aspects of the property work carried out by the Council. Being a very small section however, there will be many opportunities for the post holder to deal with other aspects of local authority legal work and to get involved in Standards issues. I can promise that the work will be varied and interesting.
Torridge is a wonderful place to live and work, with great scenery and beaches. As a Council we have great challenges and opportunities ahead of us and I hope this letter and the enclosures will help you to decide whether or not to apply and become part of that challenge.
Yours sincerely,
Ken Miles
Solicitor and Monitoring Officer
Job Purpose:
To provide a complete in house service providing advice on and dealing with property matters of a domestic and commercial nature, to assist the Monitoring Officer and to support the Legal Services team generally.
Team / Service Purpose:
The Legal Unit provides advice and assistance to the Council and seeks to ensure that the Council acts lawfully at all times. It also provides the Monitoring Officer function. It seeks to be a flexible and comprehensive service, which is able to meet the stated needs, demands and priorities of the Council.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- To provide specialist legal advice and assistance to the Council, it’s Members, Officers and other bodies with whom the Council has an agreement for such provision including attendance at and the provision of advice to meetings of the Committees of the Council.
- To undertake non-contentious work with a particular emphasis on property and conveyancing including both domestic and commercial conveyancing, leases, licenses, contracts and other agreements.
- To assist the Monitoring Officer in issues such as Standards Committee Hearings, investigations and in relation to the forthcoming local filter.
- To provide advice on other areas of law and conduct affecting Local Government if called upon to do so
- To provide training seminars to other Sections within the Council as and when required.
- To be responsible for updating other Sections of the Council on relevant changes to the law.
Education/Qualifications/Training:
Essential: Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
Desirable: Familiarity with Information Technology
Experience:
Desirable: Local Government experience
Knowledge:
Essential: Sound knowledge of relevant legal practice and procedures with up to date knowledge of both commercial and domestic property law and conveyancing.
Skills:
Essential:
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to organise oneself and provide advise with no supervision
- Ability to prioritise
- Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
- Good drafting skills
- Negotiating and influencing skills
Anti discrimination:
Essential: Commitment to implement anti-discriminatory and equal opportunities
Other job related requirements:
Essential:
- Able to attend evening Committee meetings if require
- Able to carry out the duties of the post with reasonable adjustments where necessary
All employees are required to: Comply with all Council policies and procedures, work towards achieving the Councils strategic goals, work towards achieving the goals of the Service contained within the purpose mentioned above and within the business plan.
