Permanent
Full Time 37 hours per week
Work Location: County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD (remote working available)
We are recruiting a Lawyer to join our Litigation and Planning Team. Are you a lawyer with criminal litigation experience and a desire to give something back to the community? If so Devon County Council could be the place for you.
Life can be fast paced in this team, and the work is interesting and varied. You could be brought into a multi-agency Police briefing to tackle trespassers on a high profile site, or on your feet presenting in the Magistrates Court securing a child’s education. Not to mention providing invaluable support to counsel in the Crown Court while seeking justice for victims of rogue traders. Devon has over 8,000 miles of road, the longest highway network in England, and you could help us to protect it.
No two days are ever the same in this unique, friendly, hardworking and dynamic team. No matter how long you have been in local government, with our team you will still encounter novel situations!
In this unique role you will manage a varied criminal litigation caseload including Trading Standards, education, highways and planning enforcement prosecutions, as well as civil litigation cases covering such areas as SEN, education, highways and debt recovery.
We are looking for somebody who has experience of criminal litigation, as well as a good working knowledge of some of the other abovementioned areas of law. You must be willing to learn new areas of law to be able to provide fast paced legal advice on a range of legal topics. Previous Local Government experience is desirable but not essential, however you must demonstrate that you have a keen interest in working in the public sector.
As for the team, we work together, problem solve, and share expertise, knowledge and experience so that every team member can thrive. Our weekly team meetings promote continual development and a strong sense of belonging. Everyone is supported to achieve their full potential.
Applications are welcomed from applicants who reside outside of Devon. Alongside remote working, there is an expectation that the postholder will attend Court hearings as required, including as an advocate. We anticipate this being approximately 1-2 times per month. In addition it may from time to time be necessary to attend County Hall for some meetings and for matters such as the preparation of trial bundles.
Why work with us?
You'll be working for an authority in one of the most beautiful parts of country and we want you to have time to enjoy it. That’s why we offer part agile working and flexible start and finish times (subject to Court appearances and attendance at County Hall as set out above) so you can balance work with the things that really matter. We also offer 25 days paid annual leave (rising incrementally to 33 days based on length of service), and the office closes between Christmas and New Year, and on Bank Holidays. In addition we offer a generous Local Government Pension Scheme and access to a discounts scheme.
To find out more about legal services at Devon please see https://new.devon.gov.uk/workingfordevon/work-in/professional-and-support-roles/legal-services/
For an informal discussion please contact
Hazel Union or Carl Hedger on 01392 383000
(Prospective applicants only please, no advertisers)
Job Description
Ref: HU/00H
Closing Date: 4th October 2022
Interview date: w/c 17th October 2022