Working hours: 35 hours per weekContract type: PermanentClosing date: 15 December 2024Interview method: in person This role is subject to: - Qualification: Qualified solicitor, barrister, Chartered Lawyer or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives holding a current practising certificate and registration with relevant professional body
A vacancy in the position of Senior Lawyer has arisen within the Democratic Services Legal Team, which is part of the Governance Group within Manchester City Council’s Legal and Democratic Services Department. The team provides legal advice in relation to local government law, constitutional matters and decision-making, and on information governance matters including data protection, Freedom of Information, the Environmental Information Regulations and RIPA. It also advises on election law, and on Members' Standards matters including complaints alleging breaches of the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members.
The role requires the delivery of consistent, high quality legal advice and, where appropriate, briefings and training to clients in relation to the law within the team’s practice areas. It also involves the development of associated policies, procedures and guidance. In addition, it will require the preparation of reports to the Council, the Executive and committees and, on occasion, attendance at such meetings to present reports and/or provide legal advice.
The successful candidate will demonstrate relevant experience of, and expertise in, dealing with a broad range of complex, high value and sensitive cases relating to local government/public administration law and information governance law. Knowledge of election law is also desirable. The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Lawyer / Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives holding a current practising certificate.If you have any questions regarding this role, please contact Stephen Hollard, Head of Legal (Governance) – email: stephen.hollard@manchester.gov.uk; telephone: 0161 234 3336.
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
We’re the local government authority for Manchester, and have teams across the city helping to make this a great place to live for everyone. We’re proud to do local government differently, in a city with an international reputation for diversity, creativity, culture and passion.
When you join us, you’re joining a team of over 7,000 council staff helping to make our ambition for Manchester a reality. Whatever your role, you’ll be supporting our residents and communities to be the best they can be, and helping to build a Manchester that's fairer for everyone who lives, works, volunteers, studies or plays here.
To make our ambition a reality, every person we recruit needs to play their its part. It takes a certain type of behaviour, attitude and way of working to get Manchester where it wants to be. Our people and partners have agreed five ‘behaviours’ – the grounding for how we must work together and treat one another:
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
A career with us means you can be yourself, thrive, and build the career your talent and ambition deserve.
Creating an inclusive team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We want to further increase the diversity of our workforce, in particular the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and disabled staff at all levels of the Council. This advert is open to all applicants, and we would particularly encourage applications from candidates identifying with one or both of those characteristics.
If you want to find out more about the role, our ways of working, flexible arrangements or any workplace adjustments, please let us know by emailing jobs@manchester.gov.uk. If you are invited to interview, we will ask you if you require any adjustments for you to best demonstrate your suitability for the role in the interview process.
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
Accessibility
As a Disability Confident Employer, we provide support for employees with physical or mental-health conditions, a disability or neurodiversity. Our workplaces are accessible by design, and we make workplace adjustments including providing aids, adaptations and equipment. These, combined with our flexible working policies such as disability-related leave, enable our employees to perform their role, thrive and be their authentic selves in work.
We’ve also included some useful tips on how to submit the best application.
What we will need from you if you’re successful
If you are successfully offered a position with us, the pre-employment checks you will be asked to undertake will depend on the role you've applied for. As a guide, these may include:
- Passport/ID: You will be required to provide documentary proof of your right to work in the UK – please note that visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role
- References (Current and Previous employer)
- Qualification and Practising Certificate
When you join us
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
Other relevant information
Why work for us
Who we are - Manchester City Council
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