Litigation Lawyer (Hybrid) needed in St Albans, £36.83ph PAYE – Reference: 5294547
To deal with S106 agreement and Planning Application
You will ideally have –
Experience of BNG, Green Belt, Large Housing development
Experience in liaising with clients as well as providing a focal point of contact for planning applications
Working Hours: Full-Time, 37 hours per week (Part-time 3 days considered)
Working arrangements: Hybrid working (to be agreed)
Other requirements: required to attend meetings held at the offices of partner councils or other locations outside normal office hours.
Criminal Litigation
- Advise on the merits of instituting criminal prosecutions across service areas including community protection, fraud, planning, and housing.
- Draft summonses, information’s, and indictments accurately and ensure submission within statutory time limits.
- Advise on evidence, assist with witness statements, prepare bundles, and liaise with the court, defendants, and their legal representatives.
- Represent the Council in the Magistrates’ Court and undertake advocacy as required.
- Advise on and pursue additional remedies such as Proceeds of Crime where appropriate.
- Instruct counsel in collaboration with client departments.
- Provide regular progress updates to client departments.
Civil Litigation
- Advise on instituting civil proceedings including debt recovery (bankruptcy and winding up), contract disputes, judicial review, possession proceedings, illegal encampments, anti‑social behaviour matters, and injunctions.
- Advise on defending claims against the Council including housing appeals, judicial review, injunctions, contract disputes, and debt claims.
- Advise on settlements.
- Draft and respond to civil claims accurately and within required time limits.
- Take witness statements, prepare evidence, and manage all aspects of case conduct.
- Liaise with courts, opposing solicitors, or unrepresented parties.
- Attend hearings and undertake advocacy in the County Court.
- Instruct counsel in collaboration with clients.
- Keep clients updated throughout the progress of each matter.
- Advise on appeals or enforcement following judgment.
Housing
- Provide legal advice to the Housing Department on homelessness applications, including advice on letters and assessment of case merits.
- Institute or defend homelessness proceedings in accordance with civil litigation procedures.
Licensing
- Advise Community Protection on all aspects of licensing law, including attendance at licensing sub‑committee hearings.
- Provide legal advice to the Licensing Committee, including report checking, meeting attendance, assisting members in decision‑making, and drafting formal decisions.
- Advise on appeals following licensing decisions and undertake all necessary steps to defend or resolve appeals, in line with civil litigation processes.
This is a full time role on a temporary contract basis.
If you are interested in the role please apply on our website with your CV, alternatively you can email your CV to katie@essentialemploy.co.uk quoting the reference number.
Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please be prepared.
Due to high volumes of CVs received we are not able to respond to all unsuccessful applications. You will always however hear from us by phone if we are able to take your CV forward to the next stage.
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