£53,718 - £56,710 (inc £8000 per year market supplement (reviewable annually))

As a small unitary authority incorporating Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, you’ll discover Torbay Council is a place where you can make things happen quickly. We have real momentum building, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose and ambition - which is clearly evident by our recent success in being awarded the ‘Most Improved Council’ at LGC Awards in 2023. We want Torbay and its residents to thrive and are committed to making a difference in our community, delivering high quality services to local people.

To complement this journey, we are seeking a talented and dynamic solicitor, barrister or CILEX professional to join as a Senior Lawyer (Property), to help handle a large and diverse property portfolio dealing with sales and purchases and general landlord and tenant in order to support the wider highly performing property team.

The ideal candidate will have strong technical experience of working within the specialist area of commercial property and have a detailed knowledge of local government practices within the specialist discipline, and if possible have litigation experience in this field (in particular advising on the termination of leases, evicting tenants, recovering rent arrears and litigating disputed lease renewals, as well as dealing with Part 1 claims within Part 1 of the Land Compensation Act 1973.

You will also be admitted and be practicing as a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (or equivalent), with at least 3 years post qualification experience. Preference will be given to candidates with substantive and significant PQE in the specialist area.

You will be excited by a fast-paced, high volume and varied caseload, conscientious, professionally curious and a role model to other team members. In return, you will join a supportive and rewarding organisation and team, whereby your talent will be valued and actively developed.

We also prioritise wellbeing and have a flexible approach to work life balance; knowing that life doesn’t revolve around work. The Council has a flexible working environment that includes home/hybrid working (with some office attendance required to meet service/client need and essential meetings), along with adaptable working hours set around a set of 4 core hours. We  also have a set of family friendly policies to support you that all provide more than the statutory minimum.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work for an employer that is in a great period of change and sees legal services as not simply a support function, but an enabler in the pursuit of their ambitious transformation journey.  If you feel you have the necessary background, experience and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.

In return we offer:

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service (pro rata in the case of part time employees).
• A Career Average Re-Valued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme through Peninsula Pensions.
• Flexible working.
• Paid professional subscription.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• A supportive management and team structure.
• Family friendly policies.
• Key skills relocation package.
• Golden Hello opportunity.
• A wide range of lifestyle discounts and health and wellbeing benefits.
• Part time hours considered.

Previous applicants need not apply.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/jobs/job-descriptions/senior-lawyer-property/

The salary includes an amount for a market supplement of £8000 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

For an informal chat please contact Claire Kitchener on 01803 207168 or Claire.Kitchener@torbay.gov.uk or Philip Taylor on 01803 207142.

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 20th January 2025.

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills
Essential:

• Ability to give clear and accurate legal advice.
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.

As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Knowledge
Essential:

• High level of knowledge of the law and procedure within the specialist area.
• Detailed knowledge of the law relating to local government.
• A general awareness of the policies aims and objectives of the Council.

Experience & Qualifications
Essential:

• Admitted and practising solicitor, legal executive (fellow) or barrister with at least 3 years PQE.
• Suitably trained as a legal advisor or advocate.
• Experience of working in a legal environment.

About Torbay Council
Please review the available pages within the careers site.
A list of employer benefits can be found here.

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.

Closing date: 15th January, 2025