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Legal Officer

Law & Information Governance

Permanent - 37 hours per week

Salary NS08 £31,022 – £32,597 per annum (pay award pending*)

Hybrid working based in Newark, Nottinghamshire

Do you want to be part of a welcoming and dedicated team, serving the community and improving lives? We’re an ambitious, forward-thinking Council with strong values and a culture of doing our absolute best to serve our customers. We are proud of our organisational culture and receive positive feedback from our employees. We have a programme of internal activity to ensure that the voices of our employees are always heard and that they are kept informed on all Council activity and events.

We are now recruiting for an experienced Legal Officer to join our in-house Legal team. Working under the supervision of Principal and Senior Legal Officers, you will manage a mixed legal caseload and assist with a broad range of non-contentious and contentious work.

You will be someone who is confident managing a legal caseload and able to work effectively with client officers, elected members, and colleagues. You will have strong communication skills, tact and diplomacy, and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.

You should have a law degree, be part-qualified as a Legal Executive through CILEX, or hold an equivalent qualification. A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and related systems is also required, along with a willingness to learn new areas of work and contribute positively to the Council’s values. Whilst previous local government experience is desirable, it is not essential and we welcome applicants with no local government experience.

What you’ll be doing:

• Preparing and issuing proceedings in the Courts relating to housing, anti-social behaviour, environmental crime and planning enforcement.
• Attending hearings and advocating on behalf of the Council where authorised.
• Undertaking conveyancing including the acquisition and disposal of property and land on behalf of the Council.
• Drafting and preparing lease agreements and managing completions for Council owned Corporate Property.
• Carrying out work and providing advice in relation to the varied range of Council services.
• Researching and advising on legal and quasi-legal matters for the Council and Parish Councils.
• Negotiating, drafting, and completing agreements and contracts affecting activities of the Council.

We offer:

• Enrolment in the career average local government pension scheme.
• Flexi scheme.
• Hybrid working.
• A generous annual leave entitlement that increases with service.
• Family-friendly benefits.
• One days’ paid volunteering leave.
• Lifestyle benefits platform.
• Funded health cash plan.
• Free car parking to 31 March 2028
• £10 a month gym membership at one of our gyms in the district.

You will be working with a professional, committed and experienced team who are passionate about supporting us to deliver the objectives as outlined in our Community Plan.

For an informal chat, or more information, please contact Bryony Norman, Principal Legal Officer – Commercial on 01636 655399 or at bryony.norman@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.

*Pay Award from 1 April 2026 still under negotiation.

As an employer we will promote an inclusive working environment to maintain and develop a forward thinking and diverse workforce.

Veterans/family of forces/ex-forces, those in care/care leavers, and candidates who declare disabilities (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) will be guaranteed interviews provided they have demonstrated that they meet the essential criteria of the post as detailed in the Person Specifications on their application forms.

We will not accept CVs from unsolicited recruitment agencies.

We recommend you submit your application early, as we often receive a large number of applications and therefore we reserve the right to close the advert early

Closing Date: Tuesday 14th July2026

Interview: 20 & 21 July 2026