Job Introduction
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a supportive and friendly team who provide legal support to the County’s Countryside and Rights of Way function. The role involves processing applications to modify the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way including investigation, report writing, legal drafting, appeals and public inquiries, and providing legal advice on a range of countryside and rights of way matters.
The role offers an opportunity to work on challenging and interesting cases as part of a team committed to delivering high quality legal services in the public sector.
Staffordshire County Council genuinely recognise the benefit of achieving the right work life balance and our extensive package of benefits supports this. Lots of organisations offer this however our staff survey reliably informs us that our work ethos truly delivers this. We genuinely invest in our employees and our package includes a generous holiday entitlement, increasing significantly with service, and an additional annual leave purchase scheme. Flexible and hybrid working (in an appropriate job role), employee travel and entertainment discounts, a local government pension scheme, optional car lease scheme and a staff parking discount scheme. We also offer family friendly polices such as maternity, adoption, paternity, and parental leave.
Main Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

• Managing a caseload of applications to modify the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way.
• Investigating applications including historical and legal research.
• Writing and presenting reports to relevant Committees and Panels of the County Council.
• Handling appeals against refusal to make a modification order and liaising with the Planning Inspectorate in relation to these.
• Drafting and processing legal orders.
• Arranging and attending public inquiries to give evidence in support of legal orders made by the County Council.
• Providing legal advice to the client department on a range of countryside and rights of way matters.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a paralegal whose skills combine legal expertise with the personal qualities necessary to excel in the complex field of rights of way law:

• Qualified to a minimum standard of CILEX paralegal, or equivalent.
• Whilst no previous experience in rights of way law is necessary, transferable skills would be desirable and training will be provided.
• Demonstrable experience of completing all aspects of routine legal casework on other fee earner’s and own allocated files
• An interest in public sector work and countryside and public rights of way matters
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Excellent communication skills as the candidate will need to provide general legal advice and interact with various stakeholders
• Meticulous attention to detail

“We’re happy to talk flexible working”
If you are unsure if your skills and experience are suitable for this role or you have any queries, please contact Heather Morgan, Team Senior - heather.morgan@staffordshire.gov.uk or Clare Gledhill at clare.gledhill@staffordshire.gov.uk
Interviews: will take place during the week starting 26 May 2025
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.
About Staffordshire County Council

• Managing a caseload of applications to modify the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way.
• Investigating applications including historical and legal research.
• Writing and presenting reports to relevant Committees and Panels of the County Council.
• Handling appeals against refusal to make a modification order and liaising with the Planning Inspectorate in relation to these.
• Drafting and processing legal orders.
• Arranging and attending public inquiries to give evidence in support of legal orders made by the County Council.
• Providing legal advice to the client department on a range of countryside and rights of way matters