Download Job description/personal Specification

Job Profile
Lawyer – Corporate Division
Grade: J
Date created: August 2014
About the Job
To:
1. contribute as a legal practitioner towards the effective provision of high quality legal services to the Council, its members and officers and
to external organisations as appropriate in order to support the achievement of the Council’s objectives and the Legal Services Business
Plan; and
2. to support the Senior Lawyers and Principal Lawyers in carrying out the work of the Division.
High quality legal series means services which are responsive to the client’s needs, timely, accurate, comprehensive, effective and efficient and
which take a risk management based approach and which represent excellent value for money.
We expect that as a Lawyer within Legal Services the post-holder will:
Contribute to the development and delivery of legal services
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Ensure high levels of client satisfaction, communication and feedback
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Exhibit the Employee behaviours as indicated in the Council’s People Strategy
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Support the Principal /Senior Lawyers in the management of the Corporate Division – Commercial Team
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To carry a caseload of cases as directed by the Principal and Senior Lawyers.
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To achieve the best outcome for the client in a timely and flexible manner.
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To lead on negotiations in areas of dispute, in order to resolve areas of conflict, whether orally or in writing, whilst having the best interests of
the clients at the forefront of their mind, to ensure a quality service is delivered to the client.
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To work collaboratively with professionals and client departments in order to build excellent working relationships which are supportive to the
client departments.
This is what we need you to do...
To work across such functional cluster areas as may be allocated to the
As directed by the Principal Lawyers and Senior Lawyers to have the post-holder from time to time by the Head of Legal Services. The
day to day conduct of a caseload of legal work appropriate to requirement may vary from time to time depending on client demand;
experience at this level and to manage the same in accordance with cluster areas will be allocated taking into account the following principles:
good legal practice, client requirements and the practice management
 Recognising previous relevant experience and professional
standards.
expertise;
To support the Principal Lawyers and Senior Lawyers in developing
 Ensuring consistency of service delivery and continuity;
and maintaining close working relationships with members, officers
and with external organisations.
 The need to develop knowledge and skills for Legal services and
individuals;
To represent Legal Services, the Council and external clients in
meetings, including member meetings, inquiries and working groups
 As part of the business planning and appraisal cycle, building in
and in discussions with other legal practitioners at an appropriate level
regular reviews to ensure best fit of lawyers to areas of
as and when required.
accountability, in order to align with the Council’s and Legal
To work collaboratively in order to ensure the Commercial Team
Services changing business objectives and priorities.
functions effectively in meeting the needs of the client. The postholder will be available to efficiently deal with the queries of clients
and colleagues.
Special Conditions
 The post-holder will be able and committed to working in a
To work in such a manner as to effectively and efficiently discharge
flexible manner, including travelling out of the office as and when
the Council’s powers in a cost effective manner in a fast paced and
the role necessitates the same.
ever changing environment; a reasoned and consistent application of
extensive specialist knowledge in a variety of unique, complex and
sensitive matters is required. This will include sharing the
responsibility for developing the skills and knowledge and maximising
the potential of all staff within Legal Services.
Monitoring and ongoing development of outcomes
As part of the annual appraisal, outcome based targets will be developed in conjunction with the post holder and will supplement this job profile. The
job profile will be subject to regular review and the council reserves its right to amend or add to the accountabilities listed above.
The ideal candidate will have...
Experience
Behavioural attributes

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Good working knowledge of commercial property law,
Conveyancing practice and local government law.
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2 years’ up-to-date substantial experience of commercial
property law and Conveyancing practice.
Knowledge, Skills and Understanding
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Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
Ability to communicate effectively with Clients, staff members,
Counsel, other professionals and outside organisations.
Technical Skills:
Ability to present ideas cogently and with confidence as well as
the ability to learn and apply changes in the law. The postholder must be computer literate with a current sound working
knowledge of Microsoft word and Outlook.
Planning and Organising:
Ability to manage own case load under pressure
Problem Solving, Analytical and Decision Making Skills:
Ability to react to immediate problems of a complex nature with
associated risk factors and deliver pragmatic solutions
sometimes under pressure.
Ability to work collaboratively:
Prepared to share knowledge and expertise to develop
colleagues and clients and to be part of a team.
Demonstrates Gloucestershire Employee Behaviours:
o
Challenges
o
Works flexibly
o
Team worker
o
Resilient
o
Provides quality
o
Takes ownership
o
Engaged in organisational goals
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Politically astute
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Able to respond to a changing pattern of demand at work which can be
unpredictable and unplanned
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Flexible, creative, self-starter, focused
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The post-holder will be a key member of the team, yet confident and able
to work independently and act upon their initiative.
Education & Qualifications
Essential
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Qualified as a Solicitor, Barrister or FCILEx
Member of relevant professional body
Demonstrates commitment to CPD
There are also a number of generic requirements that are applicable to all
employees within the Council. There can be found at the following link:
http://staffnet.gloscc.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=8579
There are also a number of generic requirements that are applicable to all employees within the Council. There can be found at the following link:
http://staffnet.gloscc.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=8579