West Oxfordshire District Council
Lawyer (Sabbatical)
Salary: £50,788 per annum, 37 Hours per week
Job Description:
Up to 12 months contract (until end of September 2026)
Witney/ Coleford or Cirencester based with regular attendance to Cheltenham and Oxford Magistrates’ Courts
Witney/ Coleford or Cirencester based with regular attendance to Cheltenham and Oxford Magistrates’ Courts
You will be a skilled lawyer in litigation (civil or criminal) with the ability to work autonomously within your area of expertise, delivering high-quality legal services to Cotswold, Forest of Dean, and West Oxfordshire District Councils.
With a strong background in local government litigation, you will advise on a range of civil and criminal litigation matters including providing advice on probity and lawfulness issues relating to decisions. Within a small team of litigators, you will provide the drafting and advocacy on behalf of the three councils in the Magistrates’ and County courts and instruct Counsel where appropriate.
You will be confident in handling legal casework with minimal supervision, managing complex caseloads efficiently. Your expertise, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively will help support the effective operation of the three councils. This is a full time position until September 2026, to cover for an existing role. Part time options will be considered.
With our agile working ethos you will be able to be based in Cirencester, Coleford or Witney, whichever is best placed for you, as well as work from home on occasion. The main courts you will be required to attend are Cheltenham and Oxford Magistrates’ courts.
You will need…
- To be a fully qualified lawyer, whether a fully qualified Solicitor, Chartered Legal Executive or barrister
- Evidence of and commitment to Continuous Professional Development
- 3-5 years’ experience of criminal or civil advocacy, and be willing to attend both courts
- Experience of time management and task prioritisation to meet inflexible deadlines.
- Ability to work promptly under pressure, using initiative and adopting a proactive approach
Special Conditions…
- BPSS Check
- There will be a requirement to work at other locations to meet the needs of the business, but the Council supports agile working through home working and flexi- time.
- Expected to work reasonable additional hours in line with the needs of the service
- You will need use of a car for work purposes as the courts are not always accessible via public transport.
- The post designated as politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Politically restricted postholders are restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or for a person who is, or seeks to be, a candidate for election to a local authority, the House of Commons, or the European Parliament.
What we can do for you
- Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
- Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
- 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years’ service and 33 days following 10 years’ continuous service
- In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
- Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
- Generous contributory local government pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
- Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification. Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people and children. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies.
Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.
About Us
West Oxfordshire District Council is a forward-looking council, putting residents first and working in partnership to support our communities. We are delivering an ambitious Council Plan for the district that is focused on important local priorities including affordable housing, climate and ecological action, helping our economy to grow and building communities.
We also provide a range of important local services that make a positive impact to our district on a daily basis including planning, housing, waste and recycling collections, leisure centres, community safety and environmental health.
Joining West Oxfordshire District Council you will be helping us achieve our goals for the district and play a part in supporting our communities, our businesses and our environment.