Legal Trainee/Democratic Services Officer

An opportunity has arisen for an Officer with appropriate legal academic qualifications to join the Council to train as a solicitor. The post holder will gain wide-ranging experience in the Council’s Legal and Democratic Services Teams, including direct contact with Members.

A training contract is offered to qualify on a part time basis as a solicitor. The successful candidate must have already passed the Legal Practice Course in order to undertake the Professional Skills Course being the final phase of the compulsory training before becoming a solicitor which will be funded by the authority.

The successful candidate will also be expected to work part time within the busy Democratic Services team supporting all aspects of the Member decision making and scrutiny processes. In this capacity you will be expected to attend evening meetings. Experience within this field of work would be advantageous.

The training contract to qualify as a solicitor will cover at least three different areas of local government law such as planning, environmental health and contract law. As a trainee solicitor who chooses to work in local government you can enjoy a career of unrivalled variety. Once qualified you can continue to practise law or you may choose to progress to manage others or move into one of many and various generalist roles which abound and which are constantly developing and changing. You can also use the experience and knowledge which you will gain as a launching pad to other opportunities in the public sector or commercial sectors.

This is an outstanding opportunity for the right candidate. For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Christine Nuttall, Head of Legal and Democratic Services on 01732 227245.

Closing date: 21st November 2011

Interview date: 1st December 2011