WYCOMBE DISTRICT COUNCIL - Amazon S3



WYCOMBE DISTRICT COUNCIL

JOB DESCRIPTION

DESIGNATION: Solicitor (Litigation, Contracts & Property)

POST NUMBER: CLL06

DATE : March 2013

GRADE: 7

JOB PURPOSE

To ensure that the postholder’s key tasks are carried out in accordance with the decisions of the Council and as efficiently, expeditiously and carefully as the circumstances and resources available permit.

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Principal Solicitor Litigation, Contracts & Property

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

To carry out the work allocated to the postholder as follows:-

1. Litigation – taking instructions – assessing merits of a particular case – drafting information, summons for the Magistrates Court, dealing with Taxi Licensing Appeals and preparing skeleton arguments, considering case law and preparation of Court bundles. Preparing other relevant pleadings for the County Court, instructing counsel. Attending Magistrates Court hearings or any necessary tribunal, larger debt recovery – mainly involving preparation of witness statements and attending court. Dealing with any Crown Court, High Court or Court of Appeal matters.

2. Advice and assistance on homelessness matters and any general housing matters. Carry out research and updating Clients on areas of work.

3. Assistance in implementing new legislation and training where necessary. Acting as a Clerk at Licensing Panel hearings (including review hearings), giving legal advice to Client officers and members, preparing decision notices for panel hearings and acting on Appeals to the Magistrates Court.

4. To provide legal advice to Client Officers and to Members, including the appraisal of Agendas and attendance at such member meetings as may be instructed.

5. Any other work allocated to the postholder by the Principal Solicitor Litigation, Contracts & Property.

Equal Opportunities

To comply with and actively support the Council’s equal opportunities policy and ensure practices are consistently applied in employment and service delivery.

Health and Safety

To have due regard to the responsibilities and duties set out in the Council’s Health and Safety Policy in respect to personal and other peoples health, safety and welfare.

Partnership working

To assist in developing and maintaining effective relationships with key partners in order to deliver service objectives.

Accountabilities

Key Tasks

|Key Tasks |Performance Standard |Control Data |

|Litigation and larger debt recovery work. |Within timescale agreed and at cost or rate |Control data forms indicating percentages |

| |agreed as appropriate. |achieved and Time Recording System |

| | |print-outs. |

|Advocacy at Court Hearings and Panel |Prosecutions: (i) Information to be drafted |Control data forms indicating percentages |

|Hearings. |within 14 days of full instructions. (ii) |achieved. And Client feedback |

| |Information to be laid within 5 days of being| |

| |correctly typed. Licensing Panel Notices to | |

| |be prepared & sent out within 10 days of | |

| |hearing. | |

|Taxi Licensing Appeals |Hearing to be arranged within 14 days from |Control data forms indicting percentages |

| |receipt of Appeal request |achieved. And Client feedback |

| |Court requirements as set out in directions | |

| |hearing to be met 14 days prior to Appeal | |

| |Hearing | |

|Homelessness Litigation/Adv & Assistance |Advice to be given within 3 days of request |Control data forms indicating percentages |

| |for information |achieved. And Client feedback |

| | | |

| |Standard – 3 days | |

| | | |

| |UQ – 1 day | |

|To provide legal advice to other departments |Within timescale agreed and at cost or rate |Percentage of matters where standard |

|and to Members, including appraisal of member|agreed as appropriate |satisfied or, prior to an agreement, feedback|

|meeting and agendas as instructed | |from other departments. |

|Efficient and cost-effective use of working |30 hours' chargeable time to be achieved each|Time recording system. |

|time. |working week (part-time). Annual chargeable| |

| |hours required – *. | |

|Client Care | | |

|Ensure client Officers are informed of |Client Officers to be informed of progress on|File memoranda & Client feedback |

|progress on matters. |matters within 3 working days of request and | |

| |once per month in any event. | |

| |Client Officers to be informed of conclusion/| |

| |outcome of matter within 5 working days of | |

| |completion. |File memoranda & Client feedback |

| | | |

|Ensure client is given cost estimate if |Cost estimate to be provided within 5 working|File memoranda & Client feedback |

|required and where Counsel is to be |days of receipt of request. Cost estimate to | |

|instructed Client be informed of cost |be provided prior to instructing Counsel. | |

|estimate prior to such instruction |Client Officers to be informed within 10 | |

| |working days if it becomes apparent that cost| |

| |estimate is to be exceeded. | |

| | |Time recording system print-outs. |

Other Duties: To undertaken any duties commensurate with the level and expectations of this post. Tasks may be varied to meet changing service requirements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Solicitor (Litigation, Contracts & Property) – GRADE 7

|Criteria |Essential |Desirable |Assessment Method |

|Experience |A Solicitor/Barrister with appropriate post qualification experience including |Extensive experience of handling a wide range of prosecution and other |Application/Interview/references |

| |litigation (civil and criminal). Sound knowledge in housing law including |litigation and housing law in a local authority environment. | |

| |homelessness and civil litigation. Detailed knowledge and experience including |Knowledge of the members code of conduct | |

| |advocacy in procedures applicable to Prosecutions, Licensing Appeals and Panel | | |

| |hearings. | | |

| |Understanding and experience of local government procedures, including standing | | |

| |orders. | | |

|Skills |Proven Record of advocacy in the Magistrates Court. |Understanding and experience of other local authority legal work desirable |Interview/references |

| |Keyboard/computer/spreadsheet literate. |but not essential. | |

| |Familiarity with word. | | |

| |First class communication skills. |Experience of licensing panels/appeals | |

| |Advocacy experience. | | |

| |Basic knowledge and keeping up to date with developments in Licensing Law (Taxis | | |

| |and Liquor licensing) and Local Government Law. | | |

|Education |Qualified Solicitor or Barrister. |Specialist qualification. |Application/Certificates |

|Training |Demonstrate record and attendance at relevant courses |Experience of lecturing/giving presentations in relevant legal areas |CPD record/interview/ references |

|Personal Characteristics |Display a commitment to clients, remaining clam and tactful |Experience of advising Councillors, Committees in local authority. |Interview/reference |

| |Self motivated and energetic with an innovation approach to problem solving and |Ability to assist other members of the team when requested. | |

| |able to work unsupervised under pressure. |Good negotiation skills | |

| |Demonstrably a strong team player – able to work successfully as part of the | | |

| |team. Good communication skills and advocacy experience. | | |

| |Flexible and adaptable in the face of changing priorities and circumstances | | |

| |Able to demonstrate ability to take responsibility for own case load with minimum| | |

| |supervision. | | |

| |Demonstrate a tactful, professional approach to work and in particular to clients| | |

| |Strong results orientation and drive to achieve success. | | |

|Other Requirements |Ability to work flexible hours including changing day worked at home at short |Driving Licence but not necessary. |Interview |

| |notice. |Happy to work at home if necessary or appropriate but not more then one day a| |

| | |week and flexible to days worked. | |

| | |Willing to work part-time (30 hours per week) | |

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