Principal Lawyer (Litigation and Licensing)

Three Rivers, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire (Local Authority role)

Contract role

Rate: Negotiable (Umbrella) Indicate rate sought

37.5 hours per week, hybrid working

• Criminal Litigation in the Magistrates and Crown Courts including advising on, preparing for and representing the Council in connection with prosecutions and civil proceedings in the Magistrates court and appeals to the Crown Court/Court of Appeal and instructing/briefing counsel as necessary.
• To undertake all Civil Litigation, advising on, preparing and representing the Council in Civil Proceedings at the County Court and Higher Courts and instructing/briefing Counsel as necessary
• To provide Licensing advice to the Licensing Authority, acting as Legal Adviser to the Licensing Sub Committee, dealing with appeals to the Magistrates Court in respect of licences under the Licensing Act 2003 and advising and representing the Authority on other Local Authority licensing matters including hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, street trading gambling and sex establishments.
• Advising on powers available to the Council to tackle anti-social behaviour and to draft and issue relevant proceedings in the Magistrates and/or County Court.
• Provision of advice including reviewing new legislation and case law regarding criminal matters and providing advice thereon. Providing advice generally to officers of other departments on legislation and other legal matters arising from the functions of their departments, including Housing and Environmental Health
• To lead on, review and interpret new legislation and to advise officers of the impact of those changes on their relative departments.
• To be responsible for the introduction of new procedures arising from new legislation as required or otherwise in consultation with other affected departments and the preparation of any necessary documentation.
• To act as Legal Adviser to all departments in connection with procedures or matters arising from committees attended or specific work undertaken and participate in the formulation of policy proposals for presentation to committee.
• To be responsible for the production of written reports to committees and attending committees, sub-committees and working parties where legal advice is required. To scrutinise reports drafted by other departments and consider legal and policy implications of their committee reports contributing and/or advising as appropriate.
• To deputise for or represent the Chief Legal Officer, when requested to do so.

If you have any questions about this role or wish to apply, please contact isobel@deekay.co.uk who will respond at the earliest convenience.