Legal Advisor

Ashton Recruitment require a PA/Secretary to Directors for our client, Newry Mourne & Down Council.

Position: Legal Advisor
Location: Newry
Duration: Temp-Perm
Pay Rate: £21.56 per hour
Hours of work: 36 hours per week

To provide professional specialist advice and guidance to Council Officers and elected members on legal matters such as the acquisition and disposal of land, contractual matters and legislative responsibilities. To draft, issue, monitor and provide advice on legal documentation including Leases, Licenses, Contracts, Tender documents, Letters of Offer, Funding Agreements and Bye-Laws.

Duties will include:

1. To provide a professional, responsive and effective legal advice service to the Council as directed by the Head of Legal Administration.
2. To manage an assigned caseload in order to protect and further the objectives of internal departments and to ensure the Council's policies and decisions are carried out accurately and within timescale.
3. To provide professional and timely legal advice on matters relating to the functions and exercise of the powers and duties of Council, including the interpretation of legislation and requirements of administrative law and contractual and conveyancing matters to Council Officers and elected members.
4. To undertake legal research and drafting of legal documentation, maintaining an index of useful cases and drafts for departmental use.
5. To deal with such enquiries from service areas of the Council, outside agencies, external solicitors, elected members and members of the public as they relate to legal aspects of the Council's functions.
6. To negotiate, draft and settle Contract documents and Agreements, including the negotiation of Terms of Agreement in relation to the procurement of works, supplies and services in accordance with the provisions of all relevant EC and domestic legislation and Councils Standing Orders, policies and procedures.
7. To prepare, issue, monitor and advise on legal documentation including but not limited to Contracts, Tenders, Service Level Agreements, Deeds of Charge, Summonses, Warrant Applications, Letters of Offer, Leases and Licenses.
8. To safeguard Councils land and property and to investigate and assist with the defence of adverse possession claims and possessory title applications on behalf of the Council, regularising Councils title as required.
9. To be responsible for obtaining land valuations from Councils service provider and monitoring the provision of valuation services against the service level agreement in place.
10. To instruct Councils Legal Services provider as necessary seeking specialist legal advice and to monitor the provision of legal services against the service level agreement in place.

Essential Criteria:

1. A degree in Law OR in lieu of a law degree, a degree in any other subject plus a post-degree legal qualification e.g. Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
2. A minimum of 1 year's experience providing legal advice in both conveyancing and contract law to include drafting, interpreting, negotiating and providing advice on contracts and other legal agreements.
3. 1 year's experience in the analysis and interpretation of maps and site layout drawings.
4. Competence in the use of all Microsoft Office packages including Word and Excel.
5. Hold a full valid driving licence and have access to transport to meet the requirements of the post; OR have access to a mode of transport that will enable the post holder to fulfil the role in full. (It should be noted that the post will involve travel across the district on a regular basis).
6. Ability to work outside of normal office hours, including evenings, weekends and public/bank holidays.
7. Hold a valid Basic Access NI Check.

Ashton Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business.