Principal Lawyer

The starting salary for this role is £62,363 per annum rising to £70,414, working 36 hours per week.

Are you looking for a new opportunity to develop your career and management experience?

Are you committed to working as part of a supportive, successful and Lexcel accredited in-house legal team that delivers timely, clear and effective legal advice, representation and assistance to the Council?

Are you looking to work in an agile organisation that focusses on outcomes?

If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Principal Solicitor or Lawyer to join our management team.

We are looking to recruit an experienced Principal Lawyer, who is a qualified solicitor or lawyer with demonstrable management skills to lead our successful in-house Adults, Education, Litigation and Employment Team (AELE). Although the AELE team incorporates four different specialisms, we are looking for a Principal with a breadth of experience in litigation. You will also be responsible for the overall management of the team supported by senior solicitors from each area.

As a Principal Solicitor you will have an unrivalled opportunity to contribute to the future delivery of a first-class legal service. The successful candidate will be a flexible, motivated and ambitious lawyer with:  

•    Experience handling their own caseload of complex litigation work
•    Experience or aptitude for management of a team
•    Experience of building effective relationships at all levels with Members and Officers 
•    Experience of making a positive contribution to a Legal Service

The team is supportive and knowledgeable and there is a commitment to development and training of our in-house talent.

Our administrative base is located in Reigate but we also have an office in Weybridge where our Support Team is based.  The Council operates an agile working policy so we are able to provide flexibility in terms of where you work. There is an opportunity to work from a number of locations in Surrey together with some homeworking.

At Surrey, our values and behaviours are just as important as our skills and abilities. They shape who we are as an organisation. Find out more about the values we follow.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 4th September 2022.

Interviews will take place on Thursday 22nd September 2022 at our Weybridge Office (Dakota, De Havilland Dr, Weybridge, KT13 0YP)

This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Contact Details

For an informal discussion please contact Deborah Chantler by e-mail at deborah.chantler@surreycc.gov.uk.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Benefits

From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit MyBenefits for Surrey County Council staff.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.