Trainee Lawyer (30 months – Fixed Term Contract SQE route)

Barking, Essex
LONDON BOROUGH OF BARKING & DAGENHAM
Trainee Lawyer (30 months – Fixed Term Contract SQE route) Apply online About this job

This is an exciting opportunity to gain an understanding of local government law across all disciplines under the supervision of experienced staff. The job role will be to carry out all such duties determined by the Training Principal as necessary to enable the post holder to complete the Law Society’s requirements for training contracts for Trainee Solicitors and to qualify as a Solicitor. Gain experience in basic legal principles and practice, in civil and criminal law, (contentious and non-contentious) in managing a personal caseload (under supervision) in employment and governance (including public and administrative law), property and planning law, contracts and procurement, safeguarding and partnership law. This position will be based in the Adults and Children’s safeguarding team and opportunities given to work in the other areas of the legal practice. Provide legal support to the legal practice team to enable and facilitate the provision of high quality legal advice to the Authority. Undertake legal and factual research, prepare briefing materials on particular cases, monitor new legislation, draft precedents, develop and maintain a legal resource library and bring to the attention of the legal team any significant developments in case-law and statute. This is a fixed term contract for two years to complete the requirements of the SRA to qualify as a solicitor.

Special requirements for this post

You will have completed your Law Degree with a 2:1 or above. This qualification will follow the SQE1 and SQE2 pathway. The successful candidate will undertake formal training and qualify as a solicitor in accordance with the Law Society training standards. Be a resident of the borough or already work for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

About you

Demonstrate commitment to the Council’s corporate objectives and an ability to model the behaviours explicit in the Council’s organisational beliefs. Demonstrate a positive attitude to diversity incorporating commitment to equality in relationships and work tasks. Under the guidance of the Training Principal, manage your time, effort and resources effectively so that you develop good working practices to enable you to plan and organise your work to achieve personal and team objectives. Maintain an up-to-date Training Record in accordance with Law Society requirements and, in close liaison with the Training Principal, identify your personal development needs and objectives and monitor your performance against agreed indicators and objectives. Complete the core modules and electives comprising the Professional Skills Course before the end of the Training Contract. Provide interpretation and advice on standing orders, protocols and legal statutes affecting the Authority, and the wide range of local government legislation. Assist with the provision of legal advice to the Council and senior officers. Assist with the conduct of litigation affecting the Authority, including case work and tribunals, contractual disputes and judicial reviews. Commission and manage outsourced casework (under supervision) on behalf of the Authority including seeking Counsel’s Opinion. Participate in multi-disciplinary cross-department and cross-organisational groups and task teams.

About us

As an LBBD employee you’ll have access to high street savings, supermarkets, cashback incentives travel and holiday discounts; discounts at restaurants and cinemas; local, national, and seasonal offers; and a wide range of better-than-public deals through our Wider Wallet scheme. You’ll also have access to an Employee Assistance Programme; this offers a little extra support to manage life’s everyday challenges; both work and personal. The EAP is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provides free, impartial, confidential information and support to help you gain a better work-life balance. Flexible working: The role is open to flexible working unless there is a practical or operational reason that you must work set hours and times, you would need to discuss this with your manager before anything is agreed. Other key benefits include: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) As a member of the LGPS you will get a pension paid to you when you retire as well as being entitled to other benefits such as life insurance cover, a pension for your family if you die whilst employed by the council, payments if you have to retire due to ill-health. Diversity and Inclusivity: To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services we deliver. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds including from the LGBTQ+ community, genders, ages, disabilities, faiths/beliefs and candidates from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds.