Salary Range: £47,568 - £53,574 per annum. Salary is negotiable depending on experience

Work Location: Westminster City Hall, London, SW1E 6QP

Hours per week: 36

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 18 April 2021

Interview date: Week commencing 26 April 2021

Contact details for an informal discussion: Heidi Titcombe, Principal Solicitor - Heidi.Titcombe@rbkc.gov.uk

About Us:
The communities that live and work in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea are truly diverse. So, it follows that as a Licensing Lawyer you will be at the heart of an exceptionally talented shared legal service, you will enjoy variety as you take on a truly varied and interesting licensing caseload, as well as dealing with highway matters and asset of community value applications.

Westminster Council determines the largest number of licensing applications in the country and the Licensing and Highways Team lawyers act as the Legal Advisers to the weekly Licensing Committees in both Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea Councils. As such, being a lawyer in this team will enable you to have a real impact on residents and business in both boroughs.

The role is exciting, can be challenging and one which will allow you to grow your legal and professional skills in one of the country’s most exciting legal services.

The Role:
In essence, you will be one of the lawyers expected to advise at Licensing Committee on a weekly basis, and you will need the knowledge and confidence to advise Members and Officers by providing high level legal and procedural advice on a wide range of licensing matters including the Licensing Act, sexual entertainment venues, gambling and non-licensing Act matters such as street trading. You will also advise on highway matters and asset of community value applications and reviews.

Our cases are often high profile and political so awareness of corporate implications is a must.

The role includes dealing with licensing appeals in the Magistrates’ Courts and dealing with Case Management Hearings.

Our solicitors lead their cases with a minimum of supervision whilst working closely with colleagues, sharing expertise, knowledge and experience.

There will be more straightforward advisory work. However, we will also expect you to draft reasoned decisions and clear reports within deadlines.

View the Job Description for more information.

About You:
It is vital that you are an experienced solicitor or barrister. You will also be a brilliant communicator and negotiator – able to provide complex legal and procedural advice to Members, officers and other stakeholders, particularly under pressure when advising at Licensing Committee.

Extensive licensing knowledge is essential. You will have practical advocacy experience of appeals and judicial reviews, as well as a broad understanding of Local Government law and Member’s interests.

Your ability to self-manage, adapt your approach to each challenge and champion the Council’s priorities will set you apart. And having experience of advising on highway, street trading and asset of community value cases would an advantage.

You will have extensive experience of providing licensing advice to Members and Officers at Licensing Committee, as well as generally and on appeal. Your can-do attitude and ability to advise in a pressurised environment, combined with excellent verbal and written communication skills will help you fit in with this high performing team.

You will be required to advise on all aspects of highway cases, including clearing key decisions, advising on highway status queries and dealing with judicial reviews and statutory appeals.

The Council and its partners are committed to achieving diverse shortlists for all vacancies at Band 4 or above to support our desire to increase the number of staff from underrepresented groups in our workforce. If you are from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background (BAME), we invite you to self-declare this to the hiring manager as part of our positive action commitments.

What We Offer:
There is a competitive benefits package to look forward to, including flexible working and a wealth of opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.

It is important to note that we are not a traditional legal service. We pride ourselves on working in an agile way, harnessing the expertise of lawyers and support staff across the department to deliver sustainable, high quality legal activities. As many of our colleagues volunteer and take part in charity work, there is a real sense of community here too.