Opportunities for Legal Professionals
Governance Solicitor | Housing and Litigation Solicitor | Planning Solicitor | Contracts & Procurement Senior Legal Executive/Solicitor | Contracts & Procurement Senior Solicitor
Ormskirk / Hybrid, with travel to other locations required
Welcome Letter from Kay Lovelady
Thank you for taking the time to explore these opportunities within our Legal and Democratic Services team.
We are at an exciting and important point in our journey. As a Council, with Local Government Reorganisation on the horizon, the coming years will be a time of exciting change and development. Against this backdrop, with an increasing demand for our legal services, we are fully committed to growing the team to support that journey. As a result we are creating three brand new permanent roles and two interim roles to ensure we are well placed to meet that demand and to be able to continue deliver high quality legal support for our communities both now and in the future.
I am very excited by what the future holds. Each of the roles we are recruiting to—across governance, contracts/procurement, housing litigation and planning—plays a vital part in supporting the Council’s priorities. These roles reflect growth, investment, and the success of a team which is stable and supportive, with a very low turnover of staff. We nurture an environment where people tend to stay and thrive - we have a strong reputation across the organisation and are rightly proud of the friendly and collaborative culture we have built. Our colleagues look out for each other, share knowledge, and work together to get the best outcomes.
What makes this team special is not just the quality of the work, but the way that we work. We are a relatively small team, which means you will be involved in a broad and varied caseload, often seeing matters through from start to finish and working at pace, rising to the challenge and opportunity in equal measure. No two days are ever quite the same.
We are looking for experienced legal professionals (solicitors, barristers and legal executives) who can make an immediate impact. With the volume and complexity of work we manage, it’s important that you are confident in your area of expertise, able to work with autonomy, and comfortable operating in a fast moving environment. At the same time, we place huge value on flexibility, teamwork, and a willingness to support colleagues across different areas when needed.
For those looking to join us from private practice, this is an opportunity to do something different. Many of us have made that move ourselves, motivated by the chance to work more closely with communities, to contribute to meaningful public outcomes, and to build a career that offers both professional challenge and a better balance. Here, you will find a strong sense of purpose alongside a genuinely flexible and supportive working environment.
We offer a modern, agile approach to working, with flexibility built into how we operate - whether it is balancing professional commitments with family life or having the space to work in a way that suits you, we trust our people to deliver - and support them to do so.
While your day to day work will sit within your specialism, you will also have the opportunity to contribute more broadly, gaining exposure to projects and issues across the organisation and developing your career in new directions. Alternatively, if you are not looking for a permanent role we also have 2 maternity leave roles available in our contract and planning specialisms.
If you are someone who takes pride in delivering high quality legal work, enjoys variety, and values being part of a supportive and collaborative team, I would encourage you to consider these opportunities further.
Following an initial conversation with the Resourcing Solutions Team, I would be very happy for you to connect with myself or the relevant hiring managers to learn more about the roles and how you could contribute to our team.
Kay Lovelady
Director of Law & Governance and Tri-Council Monitoring Officer for West Lancashire, Chorley and South Ribble Borough Councils
About the Roles
Working at the Council
With all of these roles, you will be part of a supportive and forward-thinking legal team, working collaboratively across services to deliver high quality advice and outcomes. The roles offer flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to develop your skills across a wide range of local government legal matters.
Salary: £54,934 - £56,760 (pay rise pending)
Location: Ormskirk / Hybrid, with travel to other locations required
We are seeking an experienced and strategic legal professional to join our Legal & Democratic Services team, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the Council operates within a strong and effective governance framework.
Reporting to the Director of Law & Governance (Monitoring Officer) and working closely with the Deputy Monitoring Officer, you will provide high-quality, proactive and solutions-focused legal advice across a wide range of governance, constitutional and public law matters. This is a key opportunity to work at the centre of decision-making in local government, supporting transparency, accountability and the delivery of corporate priorities.
Please note that this role will involve attending Committee meetings sometimes after working hours, so the ability to commute during the week will be important.
About the Role
You will play a central role in maintaining high standards of governance, supporting effective decision-making, and ensuring the Council meets its statutory and ethical obligations. In brief the role will involve:
- Supporting the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer in fulfilling their statutory duties, including standards, ethical governance, whistleblowing and information governance
- Providing expert legal advice on constitutional matters, decision-making processes and governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice
- Attending and advising at Council, Committees and senior leadership meetings, shaping key decisions and ensuring robust legal oversight
- Reviewing and advising on committee reports, delegated decisions and governance documentation, ensuring legal accuracy and transparency
- Leading on standards and regulatory complaints, including investigations and outcomes
- Managing a varied caseload covering governance, litigation, housing, licensing and other local authority matters
- Contributing to Local Government Reorganisation, providing strategic legal input on structural and constitutional change
- Supporting the development and maintenance of the Council’s Constitution and Schemes of Delegation
- Providing strategic advice on equality duties and ensure compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty in decision-making
- Working closely with senior officers, elected Members and external partners, building trusted and effective working relationships
- Contributing to risk management and provide strategic legal insight across Council services
What You Will Bring
You will be a confident and experienced legal professional with strong expertise in governance and public law within a local government or similarly complex environment. You will bring:
- Qualification as a Solicitor or Barrister with substantial post-qualification experience, ideally within local government
- Strong technical knowledge of governance, public law and local authority legislation
- Experience supporting Monitoring Officer functions or working on standards, constitutional or information governance matters
- Proven experience advising senior officers and elected Members on complex and sensitive issues
- Advocacy experience and the ability to manage complex litigation where required
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work under pressure
- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility across all levels of the organisation
- A strategic mindset with sound judgement, analytical thinking and attention to detail
- Experience contributing to corporate leadership, policy development and organisational change initiatives
For more information please see the job description here [pdf 280kb]
Salary: £44,075 - £47,181 (pay rise pending)
Location: Ormskirk / Hybrid, with travel to other locations required
We are seeking a skilled and motivated Solicitor with extensive experience in Housing Conditions Claims to play a key role in delivering a high quality, proactive and customer focused legal service to the Council.
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Law and Governance, you will manage a varied caseload while supporting strategic priorities and ensuring the Council operates within a robust legal framework. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of local government, contributing to the delivery of vital housing and regulatory services that directly impact our communities
Please note that this role will involve appearing in Court and as such, you will need to have the relevant rights of audience and be able to attend Court hearings in Wigan on regular basis.
About the Role
As a Solicitor in this role you will:
- Manage a diverse legal caseload with a primary focus on housing matters, including housing conditions claims, possession proceedings, injunctions and anti-social behaviour cases
- Provide clear, pragmatic and solution-focused legal advice to officers and elected Members on complex and often sensitive issues
- Represent the Council in court, tribunals and inquiries, acting as an advocate and ensuring effective legal outcomes
- Advise on a broader range of local government matters where required, including environmental health, planning, licensing, employment and regulatory work
- Stay up to date with evolving legislation, policy and guidance, ensuring compliance and best practice across service areas
- Support committees, working groups and meetings by providing timely and accurate legal input
- Contribute to the development of legal procedures, policies and service improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
- Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to support joined-up service delivery
You will play a key role in supporting the Council’s corporate objectives, helping to manage risk, uphold governance standards and strengthen legal compliance across the organisation.
What You Will Bring
You will be a capable and confident legal professional with experience in housing law and litigation, and a strong commitment to public service. You will bring:
- Qualification as a Solicitor with demonstrable experience in housing litigation and public sector law
- Strong technical knowledge of housing law, specifically, housing conditions claims, possession, ASB and injunctions.
- Experience of working in a local government or similarly complex environment, with an understanding of political and regulatory sensitivities
- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to advise senior officers and elected Members
- A proactive, solution-focused approach with sound judgement and attention to detail
- The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment
You will be driven to deliver excellent outcomes, contribute to continuous improvement and support a culture that is customer-focused, professional and responsive.
For more information please see the job description here [pdf. 277kb]
Salary: £44,075 - £47,181 (pay rise pending)
Location: Ormskirk / Hybrid, with travel to other locations required
We are seeking a skilled and motivated legal professional with experience in contracts and procurement, to play a key role in delivering a high quality, proactive and customer focused legal service to the Council.
Reporting to the Principal Solicitor, you will support a broad range of corporate priorities by managing a varied caseload and ensuring that the Council’s contractual and procurement activities are legally compliant, robust and aligned to best practice. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of local government, contributing to major projects, commercial arrangements and service delivery that directly impact our communities.
About the Role
As a Solicitor / Legal Executive in this role you will:
- Manage a diverse legal caseload with a primary focus on contracts and procurement matters, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements
- Provide clear, pragmatic and solution-focused legal advice to officers on procurement processes and contract management, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and internal governance requirements
- Advise on the legal risks associated with procurement exercises and corporate projects, supporting the Council to deliver value-for-money and legally sound outcomes
- Support and attend committees, working groups and meetings, providing timely and accurate legal input on contractual and procurement matters
- Contribute to the development of legal precedents, policies and guidance to enhance consistency, efficiency and best practice across the organisation
- Work collaboratively with internal departments, external partners and third parties, including negotiating contract terms and supporting contract performance management
- Stay up to date with developments in procurement law, local government legislation and commercial practice, ensuring advice reflects current legal and regulatory frameworks
- Contribute to continuous service improvement, supporting the delivery of an efficient and cost-effective legal service
You will play an important role in supporting the Council’s corporate objectives, helping to manage legal and commercial risk, strengthen governance, and enable effective and transparent procurement and contracting processes.
What You Will Bring
You will be a capable and confident legal professional with experience in contracts and/or procurement law, and a strong commitment to public service. You will bring:
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive, with demonstrable experience in contract and procurement work
- Strong technical knowledge of public procurement legislation and commercial contracts, ideally within a local government or public sector setting
- Experience of advising on procurement processes and drafting and negotiating a range of contractual arrangements
- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to advise officers and stakeholders at all levels
- A proactive, solution-focused approach with sound judgement and attention to detail
- The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment
- An understanding of the wider legal, regulatory and political context in which local authorities operate
You will be driven to deliver excellent outcomes, contribute to continuous improvement and support a culture that is customer-focused, professional and responsive.
For more information please see the job description here [pdf.260kb]
Salary: £48,226 - £50,269 (pay award pending)
Location: Ormskirk / Hybrid, with travel to other locations required
We are seeking a skilled and motivated legal professional with experience in contracts and procurement, to play a key role in delivering a high quality, proactive and customer focused legal service to the Council.
Reporting to the Principal Solicitor, you will support a broad range of corporate priorities by managing a varied caseload and ensuring that the Council’s contractual and procurement activities are legally compliant, robust and aligned to best practice. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of local government, contributing to major projects, commercial arrangements and service delivery that directly impact our communities.
About the Role
As a Solicitor / Legal Executive in this role you will:
- Manage a diverse legal caseload with a primary focus on contracts and procurement matters, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements
- Provide clear, pragmatic and solution-focused legal advice to officers on procurement processes and contract management, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and internal governance requirements
- Advise on the legal risks associated with procurement exercises and corporate projects, supporting the Council to deliver value-for-money and legally sound outcomes
- Support and attend committees, working groups and meetings, providing timely and accurate legal input on contractual and procurement matters
- Contribute to the development of legal precedents, policies and guidance to enhance consistency, efficiency and best practice across the organisation
- Work collaboratively with internal departments, external partners and third parties, including negotiating contract terms and supporting contract performance management
- Stay up to date with developments in procurement law, local government legislation and commercial practice, ensuring advice reflects current legal and regulatory frameworks
- Contribute to continuous service improvement, supporting the delivery of an efficient and cost-effective legal service
You will play an important role in supporting the Council’s corporate objectives, helping to manage legal and commercial risk, strengthen governance, and enable effective and transparent procurement and contracting processes.
What You Will Bring
You will be a capable and confident legal professional with experience in contracts and/or procurement law, and a strong commitment to public service. You will bring:
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive, with demonstrable experience in contract and procurement work
- Strong technical knowledge of public procurement legislation and commercial contracts, ideally within a local government or public sector setting
- Experience of advising on procurement processes and drafting and negotiating a range of contractual arrangements
- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to advise officers and stakeholders at all levels
- A proactive, solution-focused approach with sound judgement and attention to detail
- The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment
- An understanding of the wider legal, regulatory and political context in which local authorities operate
You will be driven to deliver excellent outcomes, contribute to continuous improvement and support a culture that is customer-focused, professional and responsive.
For more information please see the job description here [pdf. 208kb]
Salary: £44,075 - £47,181 (pay award pending)
Location: Ormskirk / Hybrid, with travel to other locations required
We are seeking a skilled and motivated legal professional with experience in Planning and Regulatory law, playing a key role in delivering a high quality, proactive and customer focused legal service to the Council.
Reporting to the Principal Solicitor, you will support the delivery of a comprehensive legal service across planning matters, contributing to the Council’s strategic priorities and ensuring that decisions are underpinned by a robust legal framework. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of local government, supporting sustainable development and shaping the communities we serve.
About the Role
The role will involve:
- Managing a varied caseload of planning and regulatory matters, including planning applications, enforcement, appeals, inquiries and related litigation
- Providing clear, pragmatic and solution-focused legal advice on complex planning issues, including development management, policy and interpretation of legislation
- Drafting and advising on planning agreements, including section 106 agreements, unilateral undertakings and related infrastructure arrangements
- Preparing and conducting cases, including advocacy where appropriate, in courts, tribunals and public inquiries or instruct Counsel as required
- Supporting the development of planning policy, including local plans and neighbourhood plans, ensuring legal compliance and best practice
- Attending committees, sub-committees and working groups, providing timely and accurate legal advice to Members and senior officers
- Contributing to the drafting of bespoke legal documentation and the development of new processes and working practices in evolving areas of law
- Building strong working relationships with internal teams, external partners and stakeholders to deliver coordinated and effective outcomes
- Supporting continuous improvement within the legal service, contributing to a proactive, efficient and high-performing team
You will play a key role in supporting the Council’s corporate objectives, helping to manage risk, uphold governance standards and ensure lawful and effective delivery of planning services.
What You Will Bring
You will be a capable and confident legal professional with experience in planning law and a strong commitment to public service. You will bring:
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with experience in planning law and local government work
- Strong technical knowledge of planning legislation, practice and procedure, including enforcement and planning obligations
- Experience of drafting legal agreements and handling planning-related proceedings, including advocacy or case preparation
- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to deadlines within a complex environment
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to advise senior officers, Members and external stakeholders
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide creative and legally sound solutions
- A proactive, solution-focused approach with sound judgement and attention to detail
- The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative and supportive team
You will be driven to deliver excellent outcomes, contribute to continuous improvement and support a culture that is customer-focused, professional and responsive.
For more information please see the job description here [doc.86kb]
About West Lancashire Borough Council
West Lancashire together; the place of choice to live, work, visit and invest.
West Lancashire Borough Council (“the Council”) serves around 122,000 residents across a diverse Borough that blends vibrant town centres with extensive rural communities.
We are a forward‑looking, ambitious Council operating at the heart of the North West, with strong connections to wider Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. Our work directly shapes the places people live, work, and thrive in every day.
At the Council, every role contributes to improving quality of life for local residents. Whether someone works in housing, planning, finance, environmental services, leisure, governance, or corporate services, their impact is visible, meaningful, and close to the community.
The Council’s stated priorities focus on:
- Creating a clean and environmentally sustainable Borough
- Supporting inclusive and healthy communities
- Enhancing the built environment
- Driving economic growth and regeneration
- Maintaining a financially resilient and well‑governed organisation
The Council delivers a broad and diverse portfolio of services, including:
- Housing services (landlord services, homelessness, housing strategy)
- Planning, regeneration, and building control
- Refuse and recycling services
- Environmental health and regulatory services
- Leisure, wellbeing, and parks services
- Customer services, benefits, and revenues
- Corporate services (HR, finance, legal, democratic services, ICT)
About West Lancashire
Living and working in West Lancashire
West Lancashire is located in the heart of the North West, and the region combines easy access to areas including Liverpool, Preston, Southport, and Manchester - with the benefits of space, calm, and countryside living. Well connected by road and rail, commuting is straightforward while avoiding the congestion and living costs associated with larger cities.
The area includes popular market towns and villages such as Ormskirk, Burscough, Aughton, Croston, and Tarleton, each offering a strong sense of community, local amenities, and access to green spaces. All this means that you can enjoy a work–life balance, with opportunities for walking, cycling, and outdoor activities, alongside independent shops, cafes, and traditional pubs. The coast and countryside are equally accessible and make the area a very appealing place to live for families and professionals alike. The area is renowned for its good schools, lower crime rates, and affordable housing, offering more space for your budget than some of the more expensive neighbouring urban areas, and housing ranges from modern developments to characterful village homes, supporting both renters and buyers at different life stages.
Visit the Visit Lancashire (external link) website for more tourist information including restaurant recommendations, places to stay and attractions to visit.
Contact us and Apply
If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity or would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Katherine Brioude Katherine.Brioude@northyorks.gov.uk or Penny Keatings Penny.Keatings@northyorks.gov.uk
Key dates:
Closing date: Monday 20 July ( midnight)
Shortlisting date: Thursday 23 July
Interview dates:
Contracts and Procurement Roles : w/c 3 August tbc
Housing Litigation and Governance Roles : 13 and 14 August
Interim Planning Role: 13 and 14 August
Apply:
To apply please provide us with your CV including a supporting statement in one Microsoft Word document. Your supporting statement should outline your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for the role.
Please state which role or roles you are applying for in the header of your email.
Please also complete and email the following questionnaire to accompany your application.
Applications should be emailed to Executive.ResourcingSolutions@northyorks.gov.uk. Please do not send PDFs.
It is important that your CV includes: your full contact details (telephone, email, address), full employment history (name of employer, job titles, dates of employment and salary), full education history (qualification, grade, dates and place of study), explanation of any gaps in employment and the contact details of at least two referees including your current / most recent employer indicating whether you consent to us contacting each referee prior to interview. Please also provide details of your current salary and notice period.
We will not accept applications from agencies.
These are politically restricted posts (see Section 2 Local Government and Housing Act 1989).
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