About this opportunity

A great opportunity has arisen at Westmorland and Furness Council within our Legal Team for a Legal Officer to support and assist on the Council’s property work and other legal casework to support the Council.

To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience of:

• Managing and conducting a caseload of straightforward legal cases with appropriate supervision from other members of the team, e.g. preparing leases, licences, statutory notices and orders using standard template precedent documents (such as Temporary Traffic Road Orders)
• Carrying out legal research (including using online resources) and analysing and interpreting complex legal documents, with supervision where appropriate
• Liaising with external parties, for example, solicitors, Land Registry, Court staff, estate agents and other external parties
• Providing appropriate advice and guidance to clients regarding internal matters
• Working with solicitors to provide support on casework for the Legal team
• Dealing with appropriate property/title related enquiries / matters
• Carrying out Land Registry searches
• Reviewing Title deeds and drafting Reports on Title.

You will be a strong team player with a proven track record of delivering to deadlines, have effective communication skills and be able to use sound judgement to solve problems. You will be used to working in a busy pressurised environment and will enjoy a challenge. A commitment to delivering the best possible service for the benefit of our residents and clients, is required. You must have good IT literacy skills and an ability to use electronic publications for the purpose of legal work and research are critical.

Experience of working in local government desirable but not essential.

Other duties will include dealing with a range of matter including providing advice to officers and elected members, attending Council Committees and working groups as required.

What can we offer you!

• Excellent training and development offers
• Flexible working opportunities
• Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Boost your pension with Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (facilitated by AVC Wise)
• Various perks and discounts schemes, including money off your phone contract and local gyms
• Competitive rates of pay
• A 12-month digital trial (from 1 June 2024) of a new scheme that allows free workplace car parking for employees in all Westmorland and Furness Council owned car parks between Monday to Friday.