Reference number: SC06863

Location: London

Schedule: Full-time

Salary Range: £56,271 - £69,990

Contract Type: Permanent

The role

As a Specialist Litigation Lawyer, you'll be at the heart of our mission, providing sophisticated and strategic legal counsel to a diverse range of clients, from council officers to the Cabinet, committees, and elected members.

Key Responsibilities:

• You’ll be at the forefront of complex litigation cases, advising on legal matters that touch every corner of the council’s operation, including high profile issues involving the councils residential and commercial property portfolio and the coroner’s office.
• Advise on Local Government Law and the implications of Human Rights and Equalities legislation.
• You will also cover evolving areas of law, such as building safety, where you’ll play a key role in shaping policy and governance in response to new legal developments.
• This is more than just a litigation role; it’s a chance to influence the future of legal practice within the council.
• You’ll be instrumental in guiding our approach to legal challenges, working closely with officers at all levels, and ensuring that Southwark remains a leader in public service law.

How will you make an impact as our Specialist Litigation Lawyer?

• We warmly welcome applications from qualified lawyers with relevant litigation experience and a solid understanding of, or exposure to, public sector work, even if your background is from another legal sector.
• The capability to work in a fast-paced environment, maintaining high standards of attention to detail while meeting deadlines.
• Able to cultivate a solution orientated mind-set and approach to their work.
• Your expertise in court rules and practice will be crucial, as will your ability to deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrate a solid track record in various litigation areas across all court levels.
• Confidently manage risk using sound judgment and critical analysis.
• Quickly adapt to unfamiliar legal areas, becoming proficient with minimal supervision.
• Embrace the opportunity to work with a diverse team, both within the legal service and across the council.
• A strong knowledge of local government law will provide a strong foundation for your work, allowing you to contribute effectively to the council’s goals.
• This role offers flexible home working blended with travel into our London Bridge HQ.

Additional salary details

Are you an experienced litigation lawyer looking to broaden your legal expertise and take on new challenges?

Southwark Council is offering a unique opportunity to work on complex, high-profile cases that span diverse areas of law. This role will push you to expand your skills and make a significant impact in one of London’s most dynamic boroughs.

About Southwark Council

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities.

Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice, and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Benefits and more information:

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark

Salary Range: £56,271 - £69,990

This post attracts an additional benefit to the value of £2724 PA for staff which can be used for benefits or taken as cash.

Recruitment timetable

• Application closing date: 11.59pm on the 30 September 2024.
• Interview date: 17 October 2024.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans

Are currently in care or have previously been in care.

If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Attachments

• Job Description & Person Specification