Regulatory Lawyer - North Herts Council

This role is a career-graded position offering the opportunity to develop as a local authority lawyer. The successful candidate will provide cost-effective, high-quality legal services to the Council in planning and regulatory law and associated matters, ensuring compliance with the Council's professional standards. This position involves managing a mixed caseload of planning and regulatory law matters and other areas of legal work undertaken by the District Council. Key responsibilities Level 1

• Case Management : Carry a mixed caseload, providing legal advice, drafting contracts, agreements, and deeds related to the Council's business, particularly in planning and regulatory law.
• Legal Research and Advice : Conduct legal research and provide advice to the Council on community protection, licensing, environmental health and regulatory law and local government law generally.
• Committee Representation : Prepare reports for and attend Council Committees / meetings as required.
• Document Drafting : Draft and review complex and substantial legal documentation, including instructions to Counsel, reports, and other appropriate standard documents.
• Legal Advocacy : Represent the Council in routine or contested cases in the Magistrates or County Court and at Planning Inquiries where appropriate.
• Service Management : Contribute to the ongoing development of the Legal Service, ensuring continuous improvement and adherence to the Council's Customer Service Standards.
Level 2
• Supervision : Supervise the day-to-day management of the service as requested and deputise for the Legal Manager as needed.
• Corporate Contribution : Participate in the Council's asset management programme and other corporate projects, contributing to the Council's strategic objectives.
• Financial Responsibilities : Ensure compliance with the Council's Standing Orders, Contracts Procurement Rules, and Financial Regulations.
  
  Admitted qualified Solicitor or Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
• Degree in law (minimum 2.2) or equivalent and eligibility for a current practicing certificate.
• Law Society Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice.
• Excellent keyboard skills and use of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office suite of programmes.
• Experience in handling a caseload related to planning and regulatory matters.
• Proficiency in drafting legal documents and advising on complex legal matters.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and decision-making processes related to planning and regulatory law.
• Confident in conversing in fluent English which is sufficient to fulfil all aspects of the role.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage time effectively, work under pressure, and prioritise tasks.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team and influence others.
• Proficiency in IT, particularly in Microsoft Office and legal case management systems.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Ability to work occasional unsociable hours and attend off-site meetings as needed.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and contribution to the service's improvement.
  
  This post is subject to political restriction, which is divided into two categories and relates to the post holder duties :
Specified posts, statutory posts as well as deputy chief officers' Sensitive posts, which meet one or both of the following related criteria,
• Giving advice on a regular basis to the authority itself, to any committee or sub committee of the authority of any joint committee on which the authority are represented, or where the authority are operating executive arrangements, to the executive of the authority;
• to any committee of that executive, or to any member of that executive who is a member of the authority;
• Speaking on behalf of the authority on a regular basis to journalists or broadcasters.
The postholder must therefore be aware that in accepting this post, they are required to confirm that they will conform to these political restrictions and that they will be included as conditions of their formal contract of employment with the authority. The successful candidate will be expected to attend court (Stevenage or Luton) approximately 2 times per month. This usually falls on a Friday. North Herts Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. Just some of the benefits waiting for you :
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave, including Christmas close down period
• Occupational sick pay
• Free car parking
• Discounts, including 50% off NHC gym membership
• Flexible working options including flexi scheme and home-working