Senior Solicitor

Salary £47,864 - £50,853

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Service HQ, Bridle Road, Bootle

An opportunity has arisen at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority for an experienced Solicitor to join our Legal Team. The successful applicant will act as in house Senior Solicitor managing legal staff members pro-actively, whilst advising and responding to all requests for legal advice across a range of areas of law.

Key responsibilities will include; advising on the impact of proposed legislation on the Authority, advising on procurement processes and legal requirements and to act on behalf of the Authority in respect of its estates (including transfers of land and drafting licences/leases).

Further responsibilities include; examining and advising on reports for prosecution, defending employment tribunal claims and to provide general advice on employment and employee relations matters.

Applicants must be a Solicitor or Barrister qualified to practice, with substantial post qualification experience.

In addition, experience of providing legal advice to either a Fire Authority, Local Authority or other public body is essential and ideally be experienced in advising elected Members individually and within committee meetings.

A thorough knowledge and understanding of the law, relating to at least two or more of the following areas and working knowledge of the remaining areas is also an essential requirement:

• Procurement law as affecting public authorities
• Employment Law
• Public and Administrative Law
• Criminal Law
• Information/Data Law
• Property Law
• Commercial Law
• Civil Litigation
• Insurance

Furthermore, applicants must have excellent drafting skills, strong interpersonal skills and be able to negotiate and influence at all levels in the organisation.

We offer a competitive package with some great benefits available for employees:

• Full flexible working arrangements with a 35 hour working week
• 22 days’ holiday, (rising to 27 days after 5 years’ service) plus Bank holidays and 2 additional Extra Statutory days added to the holiday entitlement
• Access to free on-site gym
• Free, secure parking
• On-site canteen
• Contributory pension by both the employee and by MFRS
• Excellent Occupational Health services and Employee Assistance Programme

This is a politically restricted post under the provisions of the Local Government (Politically Restricted Posts) (No.2) Regulations 1990.

If you are interested in this position, please apply via our website recruitment page 

https://recruitment.merseyfire.gov.uk/wrl/

Application closing date: Now extended until Midnight Wednesday 11 August 2021

Interviews: To now be held Friday 20 August/Monday 23 August 2021

****Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the published closing date, depending on the quantity of applications received.**** 

Curriculum vitae will not be used as part of the short listing process, only application forms will be considered for short listing.

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PENSION CONSIDERATIONS

Annual Allowance

Please note that it is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying/accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge. Further information on Annual Allowance can be obtained from the Pensions team, or the Pension Administrator website (Local Pensions Partnership Administration Ltd – website - lppapensions.co.uk, Annual Allowance Information -  Annual Allowance)

 Lifetime Allowance 

Please note that it is your personal responsibility to check whether by applying/accepting this position it would result in any Lifetime Allowance implications. A breach in the Lifetime Allowance threshold will result in a Tax charge. Further information on Lifetime Allowance can be obtained from our Pensions team, or the Pension Administrator website (Local Pensions Partnership Administration Ltd – website - lppapensions.co.uk, Lifetime Allowance Information - Lifetime Allowance)

Safeguarding

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and all staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.