Senior Litigation Lawyer – Cambridge
We are looking for an experienced and confident Senior Litigation Lawyer to join our Legal Practice, a shared legal service supporting Cambridge City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, and South Cambridgeshire District Council.
This is a senior position offering the opportunity to take a lead role on complex matters, influence key decisions, and provide strategic legal advice across a diverse range of litigation work including housing, prosecution, and licensing.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Provide high-quality, practical, and strategic legal advice to Councillors, senior officers, including Chief Executives, Directors, and Heads of Service
- Draft a wide range of legal documents, including complex matters requiring original legal analysis
- Advise at committee meetings, including those attended by members of the public and the press
- Act as lead legal adviser on major projects and cross-service initiatives
- Lead the Councils’ response to complex complaints, including legal and procedural issues
- Play a key role in dispute resolution, including alternative dispute resolution, court proceedings, and public inquiries
- Represent the Partnership at courts and tribunals across both civil and criminal matters
Service Delivery & Performance
You will ensure outstanding service delivery by:
- Meeting quality standards and performance targets
- Delivering efficient, cost-effective, and customer-focused legal services
- Maintaining accurate time recording and supporting income generation targets
Leadership & Team Contribution
As a senior member of the team, you will:
- Supervise, mentor, and support junior colleagues
- Design and deliver training on legal topics and procedures across the Partnership
- Contribute actively to team meetings, service improvements, and legal initiatives
- Support the development of precedents, policies, and procedures
- Deputise for the Principal Lawyer when required
Specialist Litigation Focus
Your caseload will predominantly cover:
- Housing litigation
- Prosecution work
- Licensing matters
This includes advising on legal and policy issues, drafting key documentation, supporting committees, and representing the Councils in court and tribunal proceedings.
About You
- A qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or equivalent with substantial litigation experience
- Experienced in handling complex cases and advising senior stakeholders
- A confident advocate, able to represent clients in court and hearings
- Skilled in mentoring and supervising legal staff
- Organised, proactive, and committed to delivering high-quality public sector legal services
Why Join Us?
- Work on complex, high-profile legal matters that impact local communities
- Be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking legal service
- Opportunities for leadership, development, and career progression
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
If you're a senior legal professional looking to take the next step in a collaborative public sector environment, we would love to hear from you.
As well as being part of a supportive team delivering meaningful work that directly impacts our communities, we offer a supportive and rewarding working environment along with a wide range of benefits,
Including:
- Excellent learning and development opportunities supported via a range of sources and methods and, where applicable, recognised through Digital Badges
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and Additional Voluntary Contribution (Shared AVC) Scheme
- Agile and Flexible working options
- Generous annual leave starting at 25 days, rising to 30 days after five years’ service, plus 8 days public holidays (pro rata for part time), with the option to purchase additional leave
- Family friendly policies and Flexible Bank Holidays
- Confidential wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and Your Care wellbeing platform
- Staff reward and recognition framework, including an annual staff awards ceremony
- Professional Membership Fees paid for, dependent on role
- Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work, Gym Membership and Home & Electronics
- Lifestyle Savings with over 750 discounts from the UK’s leading retailers, restaurants, supermarkets, attractions and more
- Free swimming at CCC swimming pools
- Subsidy for public transport
- Relocation Assistance may be payable in approved cases
- Annually negotiated pay and award progression
Hours: We currently have two vacancies available, both full-time hours at 37 per week. However, if you believe you have the skills and experience to join us and would like to discuss different working patterns, please do get in touch.
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £52,413 – £56,782 per annum City Pay Band 8, pro rata for part time.
Location: This is flexible with our office bases between Cambourne, Cambridge and Huntingdon as service need dictates but also you can balance this with working from home.
You can click on the links here to find out more information about Staff Pay and Benefits, Working for the Council, our Values & Behaviours, Equality & Diversity in Recruitment or Our People & Culture Strategy.
If you would like an informal chat, please contact ian.hawkings@3csharedservices.org
Application Process:
To be considered for this role, please click ‘Apply Online’ and submit an application.
If you are an internal candidate you can apply by logging in to your Employee Self-Serve (ESS) and access the ‘Useful Links’ (top right of the dashboard, under the person icon) and click on ‘CCC Job Opportunities’.
Cambridge City Council recognises the value of digital badges in evidencing skills, knowledge and competencies, and welcomes their inclusion within job applications as verifiable indicators of achievement and capability.
Cambridge City Council is an Equal Opportunity employer and embraces diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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