Solicitor - Contracts & Employment (V2892)
West Berkshire Council 
Newbury, Berkshire
Permanent
Full time, 37 hours per week
Salary of up to £42,474

West Berkshire District Council is looking for four qualified solicitors or barristers to join the Council’s internal Legal Services Team. The posts have been created as a part of a comprehensive re-structure of the department, which now has two teams covering Governance & Environment and Corporate & Communities. This is an excellent opportunity for a recently/ newly qualified or an experienced individual to develop or build on their expertise in the areas below with the added bonus of opportunities to work on a broad range of high profile matters. You will represent the Council in various forums and advise officers and members alike. We have a tradition of growing our own talent through training and development.
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. 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.

We are looking for first-rate solicitors/barristers who are able to solve problems, inspire client confidence, understand both local government and commercial imperatives, who welcome change and challenge and have the potential to progress within our business. We provide opportunities for people to work in a flexible way across our teams, ensuring we optimise the use and development of their skills, experience and interests. All candidates will be able to evidence a strong personal commitment to continuous self-development and service improvement and show a high level of initiative.

We are looking for a Solicitor or Barrister who has the ability to undertake contentious work within contracts / procurement and debt recovery as well as providing assistance in the area of employment. 

West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as flexible working, access to a wide range of relevant training, local government pension scheme, family friendly policies, a range of local discounts and much more. You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days per annum rising to a maximum of 33 days after 5 years service.

Successful candidates may be eligible for a relocation package of up to £8,000. 
For an informal discussion please contact either Leigh Hogan, Legal Services Manager on 01635 519626 or Shiraz Sheikh, Principal Solicitor on 01635 519456. 
Closing date – Sunday 16th October
For further details about this vacancy, what it is like to work and live in West Berkshire, and to work at West Berkshire Council, please visit www.westberks.gov.uk/jobsandcareers