Principal Legal Officer PO4

Overview

In this role you will lead a substantial personal caseload focused on Children’s Social Care law, providing high-quality legal advice and advocacy. You will work within a supportive Social Care Legal team to help deliver the Council’s Best City Ambition and ensure timely, effective legal outcomes. Expect varied court-facing work, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and opportunities to develop expertise while contributing to public services. This role offers a clear career path, flexible working options, and the chance to shape practice in a high-impact area.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary
• annual leave entitlement plus holidays
• West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• clear career pathway and CPD opportunities
• staff wellbeing benefits

Responsibilities

• Manage a substantial personal caseload in Children’s Social Care legal work
• Draft court documents and advise on case strategy
• Attend court/tribunals/appeals with counsel and possibly advocate in contested hearings
• Provide clear written and oral advice to clients; draft legal documentation and guidance
• Support training for clients and colleagues; contribute to external income generation
• Collaborate with team members and other services; cover court commitments as required
• Stay updated with legislation and case law developments relevant to clients
• Participate in appraisal, development activities, and maintain professional standards (SRA)
• Identify opportunities for cross-service support and flexible resource allocation
• Support equality, diversity and safeguarding policies within the council

Key requirements

• Solicitor or Barrister with practising certificate (or FCILEX)
• Ability to manage and prioritise a personal caseload
• Advocacy experience, including contested hearings
• Strong drafting, research and advisory skills
• Ability to work in a team and across locations; flexible and adaptable
• Commitment to professional development and delivery of high-quality legal services
• Experience in local government context is desirable but not essential
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to meet tight deadlines

• interpersonal skills
• prioritisation and workload management
• team player
• advocacy in courts/tribunals
• legal drafting and document preparation
• legal research

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