Team Leader - Senior Lawyer (Civil)

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Barnsley Council is an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and your talent will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.

There has never been a more exciting time to work for Barnsley! We boast a town of modern regeneration and welcome our employees to embrace ‘Barnsley as their office’. Our location is central to nearby cities such as Sheffield and Leeds; our town centre is located just minutes away from the M1 and beyond the M62. We offer low-cost parking and accessible networks of public transport.

Our legal service recently won in-house legal team of the year at the Yorkshire Legal Awards recognising the progress made over the last 12 months and the significant impact of the service.

As a Council we pride ourselves in being an inclusive employer where a people-centred culture is at the forefront of supporting our people’s well-being, motivation, and productivity. We understand the importance of flexibility, and we offer a range of flexible working patterns to aid a work life balance that accommodates individual needs.

As a modern employer we actively remove the barriers to employment. Whether you are a retired professional looking for a part-time opportunity, a working parent or carer, living with a disability or long-term health condition, we welcome and value your application to join our team.

We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, and committed Senior Civil Lawyer to contribute to providing a comprehensive, specialist legal service in order to deliver the very best outcomes for the people of Barnsley. At a time of ambitious, complex, and far-reaching transformation, your legal expertise and ability to contribute to change management will make a real difference. Your skilled and responsive advice, political sensitivity and insightful challenge will help us to successfully deliver change at pace for the benefit of all our communities.

As a Senior Civil Lawyer, you will be responsible for providing specialist legal services to the Council and its partner agencies and key stakeholders across all aspects of general civil litigation law. Your expertise will encompass key areas such as anti-social behaviour enforcement and the associated remedies and the opportunity to advise on a range of other matters including possession proceedings, injunctions, closure orders and the Renters Rights Act. Additionally, your role will involve representing the Council in County Court and Tribunal hearings and undertaking contested advocacy. A sound understanding of data protection and Freedom of Information legislation is required to ensure the Council’s legal operations remain compliant and effective.

The role will involve the daily supervision of a small team of lawyers and legal assistants including conducting one to ones, relevant training and appropriate case management and oversight.

You will ideally have good working knowledge of the workings of a local authority including its constitution, decision making process, cultural and political environment and Practice Management Standards.