Employment Lawyer (PO3 – PO5)

Job Description

Job Category : Legal
Location :Lambeth Town Hall, London Borough of Lambeth
Hours Per Week : 35.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:30
Salary: £30.53

To support the Senior and Principal Lawyers in ensuring that the Council receives cost effective high quality Employment and Education related legal advice.

To ensure that all such work is carried out to the requirements of relevant clients and to appropriate professional standards.

To ensure that all such work is carried out to the requirements of relevant clients and to appropriate professional standards.

Key Purpose of Job:

To support the Senior and Principal Lawyers in ensuring that the Council receives cost effective high quality Employment and Education related legal advice.

To ensure that all such work is carried out to the requirements of relevant clients and to appropriate professional standards.

To ensure that all such work is carried out to the requirements of relevant clients and to appropriate professional standards.

Principal Accountabilities

PO3

• To undertake all work including, inter alia, the settling of pleadings, preparation for hearings, provision of advice and representation of the Council in all courts, Tribunals and Inquiries as required by the Senior Lawyer, to the appropriate professional standards.

• To provide advice to the Council on changes in legislation and case law that may have an impact on the Council and to keep up to date with new and proposed legislation, new cases and other developments, which may have an impact on the Council.

• To liaise with professional bodies, research institutions, Counsel, the Council’s Chief Officers, elected members and other external organisations as required from time to time.

• To undertake tasks and projects as allocated by the Senior Lawyer in accordance with instructions.

• To maintain effective relationships with client departments.
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• To assist in the development of and to operate and be conversant with all information technology systems used for the work of the team.

• To ensure that performance targets set by the Senior Lawyer are met.

• To undertake any other duties that may be required to meet the exigencies of the service and these may be varied from time to time to meet the needs of the service.

• To carry out the duties of the post with regard to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policies and Anti-Racist Strategies. To undergo such training as may be required in respect of these policies.

• To carry out all duties in accordance with the Council’s Policies, Standing Orders, Codes of Practice, and Financial Regulations and undergo such training as may be required.

PO4

• To provide legal advice to Committees, sub-committees and working parties and to write reports to such bodies or provide legal advice on such reports as required by the Senior Lawyer from time to time.

• To participate as directed by the Senior/Principal Lawyer in the recruitment of staff.

PO5

• To demonstrate substantial experience of legal work within the post holder’s area of responsibility and ability to demonstrate significant specialism or depth of knowledge in a particular area.

• To make a professional evaluation of all legal aspects with minimal supervision and guidance.

• To present complex arguments before courts, tribunals, committees or sub-committees effectively.

Key Knowledge K1 Thorough up to date knowledge of all aspects of Employment and Education law. Application
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Relevant Experience E1 PO3
Relevant post qualification experience working as a solicitor/barrister or FILEX in the field of employment and education law, including relevant advocacy experience, preferably in local government.

PO4
Extensive post qualification experience working as a solicitor/barrister or FILEX in the field of employment and education law including relevant advocacy experience at case/management/directions hearings preferably in local government. Experience of advising Committees and preparing reports, and in the recruitment of staff.

PO5
Substantial demonstrable post qualification experience working as a solicitor/barrister or FILEX in the field of employment and education law, including relevant advocacy experience, preferably in local Application 

government. Significant specialism in depth knowledge in employment and education law. Conduct of complex cases with minimal supervision. Liaison with client departments and senior officers.
Experience of supervising and managing junior staff.
E2 Experience of using Word and electronic Case Management systems Application 
Qualification Q1 Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FILEX Application 
Core Behaviours Focuses on People is about considering the people who our work affects, internally and externally. It’s about treating people fairly and improving the lives of those we impact. Put people at the heart of our work, after all that’s our business. It’s about making our processes fit people.

• Ensuring anyone who calls me receives the best response that can be given even if it is not my area of work
• Being approachable and positive for my area of work and other services
• Showing empathy to help people inside the council as well as outside
• Ensuring I treat people equally and take time to listen to their needs
• Being open, flexible and available
• Respecting team goals and supporting new members
• Providing support, advice and guidance Application
Takes Ownership is about being roactive and owning our personal objectives. It’s about seizing opportunities, driving excellence, engaging with the council’s objectives, and furthering our professional development.

• Taking ownership of my task, breaking it down, engaging with persons involved, and reflecting if there is a more efficient way of achieving it
• Going the extra mile, valuing success, being proactive and knowledgeable and taking the initiative
• Working with teams and service areas to achieve positive outcomes and develop personal capabilities Application

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• Actively engaging in onet o-ones, appraisal process and team meetings
• Take opportunities to learn new skills and And develop ourselves
Works Collaboratively is about helping each other, developing relationships, and understanding other people’s roles. It’s about working together with colleagues, partners, and customers to earn their respect, and get the best results.

• Finding out what other colleagues do and working closely with them
• Networking with other teams to seek out mutually beneficial ways of working
• Being a good team player and stepping in to assist manager or colleagues during absences
• Sharing information, best practice and ideas with relevant networks and groups
• Being approachable, listening and building constructive honest relationships
• Regularly sharing success stories that lead to good outcomes Application
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Communicates Effectively is about how we talk, write and engage with others. It’s about using simple, clear, and open language to establish positive relationships with others. It’s also about how you listen and make yourself open to conversation.

• Breaking down our ideas to create a better understanding and communication between divisions and end users – simple is best to communicate well
• Targeting the message to the audience, ensuring that everyone can access the information.
• Listening for information from my manager and the council that can impact on your work
• Sharing and passing vital and new information and reflecting back understanding
• Escalating issues and opportunities straight away, ensuring risks are managed
• Consider the use of interpreters and translators where needed Application

Focuses on Results is about ambition and achievement. It’s about making sure we are working towards the end product and considering the effect of our service. It’s about making the right impact, having the right result and changing things for the better

• Getting my work done to the best of my ability with the resources and finances we have
• Thinking in relation to the ‘Borough Plan’, working well with colleagues to get good results
• Making sure I understand my objectives and what I need to do
• Working with my manager to develop my skills and knowledge
• Keeping my manager informed of progress
• Looking for opportunities to move forward
• Alerting my manager when I need support
• Delivering projects on time and within budget
• Thinking about partnerships and the resources needed for Application