Solicitor - Litigation Team, 417.39
West Lothian Council is one of Scotland's most successful local authorities and is based in Livingston.
Legal Services provides comprehensive legal and committee services to the council and comprises four teams -Litigation, Property/Planning, Licensing and Committee Services.
This is a full time, permanent post although part-time job share may be considered.
The post is a varied and challenging role within a small and busy team. As a member of the litigation team, the post-holder will undertake all types of general litigation and advisory work associated with working in an in-house Local Authority Legal Service, including child and adult protection, adults with incapacity, permanence and adoption, debt recovery, housing, antisocial behaviour, employment and education and all other areas of work allocated to them to assist the Chief Solicitor to ensure that a quality legal service is provided to meet client expectations.
The post-holder will conduct litigation on behalf of the Council and will act as Clerk to the Placing in Schools Committee and Employee Appeals Committee.
The post is suitable for and will be of interest to an enthusiastic and motivated solicitor seeking a position which brings the unique challenges of being an in house legal adviser. The successful candidate will be client focussed, proactive in the identification of issues relevant to council services and able to demonstrate a track record of effectively and efficiently providing quality legal advice.
In addition to the technical competencies required the successful candidate will have excellent communication and team working skills. They will deliver advice to team members, council officers and elected members in a clear and concise manner, demonstrate a commitment to excellence in customer service and a flexible approach to meeting changing demands and priorities. They will contribute to and participate in the Councils training programme for colleagues and client services.
Local Government and Housing Act 1989
The provisions of the above Act require that your post be designated a politically restricted post and that the extent of your public political activities be restricted whilst holding your present appointment.
The precise nature of the restricted activities, as they affect you, are set out in the Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990. An appropriate extract from the Schedule to these Regulations is enclosed for your information. Any failure to meet these terms will constitute a breach of conduct actionable in accordance with the council's Disciplinary Procedure for Chief Officers.
A full copy of these Regulations is available, on request, for your perusal. Please contact Human Resources should you require to raise any questions relating to the above matter.
A person cannot be both an employee and an elected member of West Lothian Council.