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Role: Interim Contracts Lawyer REF18551
Contract Length:3 months
Location: Letchworth Garden City
IR35: Inside
Pay Rate to Intermediary: Up to £55 per hour
Spinwell is recruiting for an Interim Contracts Lawyer for an excellent opportunity within the public sector.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INTERIM CONTRACTS LAWYER
- To effectively conduct a full and varied case load of complex and sensitive contract and procurement matters and a mix of other matters in one or more of the other areas of legal work undertaken by the District Council and in the context of legislation relevant to Local Government and the public sector.
- To undertake research to provide advice to the Council in the areas of contract and procurement law specifically and local government law generally.
- Timely response to legal instructions to ensure these meet agreed performance targets.
- Being the Councils lead negotiator on the legal aspects of contract and procurement transactions.
- Drafting contracts and agreements relating to all aspects of the Councils business eg building and civil engineering contracts, service contracts, works contracts, procurement documentation, instructions to Counsel and reports, including complex and substantial documentation.
- To provide accurate advice and guidance to team members, client officers and Members in all contract and procurement law matters and other general matters.
- Preparation of and contributing to Committee reports and attendance at Council and Committees meetings from time to time as directed and required.
- To periodically review all relevant standard documents within the areas of responsibility to ensure that they are up to date and identify appropriate improvements in processes and procedures relevant to the section.
- To provide full, detailed, and effective management information, including case updates as directed on a regular basis.
- To continue the development of performance standards and achievement of external accreditation, where relevant.
- To compile, update and adhere to procedure notes and accredited practices.
- To attend client liaison meetings and corporate group meetings (eg Contract and Procurement Group) as required.
- To supervise and support, if requested, a trainee solicitor, ensuring compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct in terms of the Solicitors Accounts rules and Personal Competence Training and record keeping in accordance with the professional practice rules.
- Responsible for ensuring that the Councils Officers and Members are appraised of changes in the law in the areas of responsibility.
- To undertake any other reasonable duty within the overall job objective as required commensurate with the grade.
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE OF THE INTERIM CONTRACTS LAWYER
- Admitted qualified Solicitor or Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
- Degree in law (minimum 2.2) or equivalent and eligibility for a current practicing certificate.
- Experience of conducting a full varied caseload of complex and sensitive contract and procurement matters.
- Experience of conducting a complex and varied caseload of Contract and Procurement matters and one or more of the other areas of legal work undertaken by the District Council, including understanding of Contract Procedure Rules and challenges.
- Experience of drafting other complex and substantial documentation including reports, policies, and procedures.
- Experience of effectively conducting a complex case load without supervision.
- Experience researching into and advising on complex areas of law.
- Drafting experience relating to complex contract and procurement matters and either planning agreements, property matters, pleadings or other similar documents.
- Experience of instructing Counsel.
- Previous experience in local government.
- Awareness of a regulatory framework and how to apply it.
- Understanding of the role of legal advisor in public forum.
- Knowledge of local authority law and procedures.
- Experience of dealing directly with and advising Elected Members and /or senior officers.
- Experience of training Members or other Officers.
- Experience of advising in a public forum (i.e.: Committee).
- Experience of working and advising in a politically sensitive environment.
- Admitted qualified Solicitor or Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
- Degree in law (minimum 2.2) or equivalent and eligibility for a current practicing certificate.
- Law Society Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice.
- Excellent keyboard skills and use of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office suite of programmes.
- Experience in handling a caseload related to planning and regulatory matters.
- Proficiency in drafting legal documents and advising on complex legal matters.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and decision-making processes related to planning and regulatory law.
- Confident in conversing in fluent English which is sufficient to fulfil all aspects of the role.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to manage time effectively, work under pressure, and prioritise tasks.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team and influence others.
- Proficiency in IT, particularly in Microsoft Office and legal case management systems.
- Ability to work occasional unsociable hours and attend off-site meetings as needed.
If you are an Interim Contracts Lawyer, apply now or send your CV to Spinwell!
We welcome all applications regardless of background, in line with our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Applying to this or any other vacancy advertised by Spinwell Ltd constitutes an agreement for Spinwell Ltd to hold your details for 24 months for the purpose of assessing suitability for the advertised position and to make you aware of any other positions deemed suitable of which You will make you aware by means of either email, text or phone. In line with GDPR regulations you are able to request your details be removed from the company data at any time by emailing us
