Job Description

Southend City Council are looking to appoint a permanent, full-time Senior Lawyer.
As a lawyer within the Councils well-respected Legal Services team, you will be managing and advising on all aspects of care proceedings, adoption proceedings and dealing with international issues as and when necessary.
Main duties of the job
As a lawyer within the Councils well-respected Legal Services team, you will be managing and advising on all aspects of care proceedings, adoption proceedings and dealing with international issues as and when necessary.
The role will include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Advising on and managing all aspects of care proceedings.
• Drafting all documents relating to applications under the Children Act 1989, including case management documents, threshold statements, orders and case summaries as necessary.
• Representing the Council at court.
• Advising and managing DOL (Deprivation of Liberty) and Secure Accommodation proceedings.
• Dealing with S7 and S37 matters.
• Lead and take responsibility for routine and complex cases, including High Court applications and Judicial Reviews as necessary.
• Manage up to three legal assistants, empowering and engaging them to continually improve and deliver successful outcomes.

Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 2 days a week.
About us
Southend-on-Sea is a vibrant and diverse coastal city known for its long beaches and famous pier. As one of the UKs newest cities (over 200,000 residents and growing) and with its proximity to London, Southend is focused on the future with ambitious strategic plans. The Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer has restructured the Legal Services team to match these broader ambitions.
As part of this, the director has hired a new Head of Legal focused on standards, performance, continuous improvement and organisational resilience, and is now looking to expand further by appointing an enthusiastic Senior Lawyer, with a range of experiences.
Details
Date posted
24 October 2025
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
Depending on experience 53,460 - 58,959
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
F0033-25-0018
Job locations
Southend-on-sea City Council
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-sea
SS1 9SB
Job description
Job responsibilities
To manage a range of cases under the Principal Lawyer. This could include a combination of routine and more complex legal cases, high-profile matters, or some politically sensitive issues. To manage up to three legal assistants providing direction and supervision to ensure that cases are delivered to a deadline. To support the Principal Lawyer to work collaboratively with senior officers and councillors. To promote the behaviours and values of the council and set out a clea Job description
Job responsibilities
To manage a range of cases under the Principal Lawyer. This could include a combination of routine and more complex legal cases, high-profile matters, or some politically sensitive issues. To manage up to three legal assistants providing direction and supervision to ensure that cases are delivered to a deadline. To support the Principal Lawyer to work collaboratively with senior officers and councillors. To promote the behaviours and values of the council and set out a clea
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/Legal Executive with a current England & Wales practising certificate.

Desirable

• 03 years post-qualification experience within the social care sector.
• Understanding of local government and experience of working in a political environment
• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Proven experience in the public sector, ideally local government.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage complex workloads.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and training.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/Legal Executive with a current England & Wales practising certificate.

Desirable

• 03 years post-qualification experience within the social care sector.
• Understanding of local government and experience of working in a political environment
• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Proven experience in the public sector, ideally local government.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage complex workloads.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and training.

Skills Required