Interim SEN Lawyer – Education/Legal Services

Reference no:  Merton 5221449

Pay Rate: £22.60 per hour PAYE

A qualified lawyer required with experience in education law including conduct of SEN Tribunals and advising on issues such as governance, admissions, exclusions and school transport.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal and procedural advice and legal services in respect of all of the Council’s functions as directed in the most cost effective and efficient way to secure Best Value for the Authority.
• Providing advice to internal staff as to the law on matters specifically relating to the work of the section as required.
• Regular liaison with Council Departments, External Agencies, Courts, External Solicitors, Barristers, QC’s, Experts, Bailiffs and the Law Centre/CAB on all aspects of the work of the Section.
• Preparing and processing all legal documents, including agreements, deeds, notices, orders, consents, byelaws, relevant to the work of the Council and of Individual Departments:

• Negotiating and concluding contractual arrangements with Solicitors, Barristers, Valuers and Land Agents, and external agencies.
• Preparation and processing of all matters relevant to any proceedings relating to the work of the Section, including the evaluation of evidence, instructing Counsel, interviewing witnesses, preparing proofs of evidence and witness statements, attending with the Council’s Advocate before Courts, Tribunals and Public Inquiries.
• Presentation of cases before Courts, Tribunals or Public Inquiries where the worker has a right of audience on all matters relating to the work of the Council and its Departments.
• Undertaking research upon legal questions arising from the work of the Section including, where necessary, briefing Counsel and/or consultants, instructing Experts and Consultants.

“Role Requirements” – to give yourself the maximum chance of success please try and ensure your CV addresses the following essential criteria:

Qualifications:

1. A Solicitor, either a current practising certificate or eligible to apply for a practising certificate, or a qualified Barrister or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, or. Possessing an equivalent qualification gained in another jurisdiction.

Skills & Experience:

1. Minimum of 12 months recent experience in a similar role, or context and ideally within a public sector organisation.
2. An understanding of the concepts underpinning administrative and corporate law as it relates to local government.
3. Knowledge of the law relating to the area of service where the assignment is based.
4. An awareness of the issues that face local government.
5. Substantial experience within the legal profession.
6. Experience of providing legal advice in the area of the assignment.
7. Interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team, and to build effective relationships with Council Members, senior managers, business units, other sections and outside agencies.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to present to diverse audiences, including [elected Members], senior officers, staff and external agencies.
9. Ability to analyse, use and present complex data in a clear and informative way.
10. Strong IT skills including Microsoft packages or equivalent (e.g. G Suite).

NB: Please feel free to apply to us direct via [email protected] by quoting the job reference and job title exactly. SEE DETAILS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS AD.

If you have previously applied to one of our vacancies and have already sent the required supporting documentation to us, please make this clear when you re-apply as this will help speed up your application.

To help speed up the process of uploading your CV to the client we would suggest that you send us your CV in Word format (or equivalent) if possible, rather than as a PDF

If you are successful in securing this role, please note that for the entire duration of this contract, regardless of extension you will be working this role at the PAYE rate that has been advertised. For absolute clarity, we only work on a PAYE basis, rather than entertaining umbrella pay terms, we do not offer Ltd/umbrella or outside IR35 rates. If you wish to understand PAYE vs Umbrella more, please let us know and we can send you some additional information for clarity.