West Berkshire District Council is a progressive Council with a diverse mix of rural and urban areas. 74% of the district sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Legal Services has held Lexcel accreditation since October 2003.  In providing support to a unitary authority, Legal Services deals with the full range of local authority work for the Council.  This includes the provision of high quality legal services to the Council’s Trading Standards, Planning, Highways, Education and Social Care Services.  

The Service is divided into two teams, Governance & Environment and Corporate & Communities.   

This is an exciting opportunity for three qualified solicitors or barristers to join West Berkshire Council’s Legal Services Team.  The post holders will have responsibility for dealing with a broad range of high profile matters on behalf of the Council and for advising in respect of the same.  You will need to be capable of working to strict deadlines and will be expected to contribute to the overall provision of legal services to our client departments.  We are looking for people who have good communication skills and the ability to work well as part of a team.

Governance & Environment Team:
Solicitor (Temporary – Minimum period 6 months) – Prosecutions
Post Ref: 03916

In this post, there will be an emphasis on criminal litigation work, although some civil litigation will also be undertaken.  The post holder must be a confident advocate who will attend the magistrates and county courts on a regular basis on behalf of the Council.  

Solicitor (Temporary - Minimum period 6 months) – Planning
Post Ref: 00991

This post will support to the Council in the exercise of its planning and highway functions.  There will be an emphasis on town and country planning.  The post will cover both contentious and non contentious work.

Corporate & Communities Team:
Solicitor (Permanent) – Commercial Property Post Ref: 00990

We are looking for s Solicitor or Barrister who can demonstrate a high level of initiative and who has the ability to undertake commercial property transactional work. Whilst you will be primarily required to advise on property matters you may also be asked to provide support on contract matters from time to time.

For an informal discussion about the Governance & Environment positions, please contact Sarah Clarke, Legal Services Manager, Governance & Environment Team on 01635 519596.  For the Corporate & Communities position please contact Shiraz Sheikh, Principal Solicitor on 01635 519 456.

To view the job description or apply for this role, please visit www.westberks.gov.uk/jobsandcareers 

Closing Date:  6th March 2016
Interviews: March 2016

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment, and positively encourages applications from people in under represented groups such as people with disabilities or from a minority ethnic group.