Legal Services Team
Group Solicitor Civil Litigation
Ref: 000975
Contract: Permanent,
Salary: £60,000 £63,305 per annum (SM2)
Hours: 36.66 per week
Location: Hybrid Remote and Spindles offices
Closing Date: Sunday 28th September 2025
Shortlisting & Interview Dates: TBC.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

To succeed in this role you will need as a minimum:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister
• Post-qualification experience in civil litigation (non-Personal Injury)
• Extensive experience of motivating and managing a team, including change management, having input into organisational development programmes and effective working with staff.

Experience of at least two of the following:

• Commercial litigation
• Adult Social
• Insolvency
• Judicial Review
• Property Litigation
• Evidence of successful resource and financial management, including evidence of the resolution of conflicting priorities and assisting with setting budgets.
• A clear understanding and knowledge of the workings of local government and including its legal, financial, social and political context, political processes and the current issues faced in a multi-cultural area

The post is subject to a Basic Disclosure from the DBS.

ABOUT US:

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:
A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.
We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.
While we embrace the use of AI as an innovative tool to maximise our services at Oldham Council, we are looking for authenticity in applications we receive. We therefore ask you to think carefully if choosing to use AI when completing your application and ask that you ensure you read all instructions carefully and that your application is written by you and reflects your skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

To provide legal advice and services in respect of work falling with the remit of the section, and to lead and manage all staff within the team. The main function of the role is to cover complex civil litigation work including judicial review, commercial litigation, adult social care, and employment matters. To ensure work is carried out by the team in accordance with council policies and procedure, and to maximum effectiveness and efficiency

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To advise the Council, through its officers, directorate and committees, and any other clients, on legal matters primarily, but not exclusively, relating to public and civil law, adult social care, housing, debt recovery and associated areas, including attendance at evening meetings as required.
• To advise and attend at the Board Meetings of the Council’s companies/partner(s) agencies.
• To attend Committees, Working Groups and other meetings with Members as may be required and provide advice and assistance as necessary to enable the Council to operate efficiently within legal requirements.
• Advocacy, personally and through Counsel, at Court, Tribunals and elsewhere.
• To conduct litigation
• To give clear management guidance and assistance to all team members in respect of areas of expertise specific to the postholder and to assist and cover for other team members as necessary

To succeed in this role you will need as a minimum:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister
• Post-qualification experience in civil litigation (non-Personal Injury)
• Extensive experience of motivating and managing a team, including change management, having input into organisational development programmes and effective working with staff