Opus People Solutions on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council are recruiting for a Project Lawyer to join their team on a temporary contract.

Start Date:

ASAP

Length:

3 Months Initially

Working Location

Peterborough Town Hall but predominantly working from home

Working Hours:

37 hrs per week

Overall purpose of the role:

• To provide a high level of proactive legal advice and assistance.
• To personally handle a caseload of complex matters that will be demanding.
• To undertake advice, preparation and, where appropriate, advocacy with supervision from the Coroner.

Main Responsibilities:

• To carry a caseload of primarily complex legal work within the lawyer's specialism which will often involve new or complex processes and to be responsible for completing all aspects of the task in accordance with good legal practice.
• To undertake a range of specific tasks as directed by HM Coroner under appropriate supervision suitable to the experience and expertise of the lawyer which may include development of a specialism in related areas of law.
• Required to draft documents with accuracy for HM Coroner and Coroner's Officers as directed.
• Obtain the necessary evidence required by HM Coroner to enable them to discharge their duties, including obtaining statements from witnesses, collating police statements and medical reports and reports from other departments, to explain the Who, When, Where and How requirements of the Coronial function.
• Prepare the file for HM Coroner and arrange inquests, including venue, warning of witnesses, informing relatives and interested parties and summoning a jury, if required.
• Attend inquests to maintain relevant processes so that the inquest complies with statutory provisions and requirements of HM Coroner and to ensure the smooth running of the inquest, including swearing in of witnesses (including working co-operatively with volunteers from the Coroners Support Service for witness and family care).
• Ensure that witnesses and jurors at inquests are aware of procedures for payments of expenses as per Home Office Fees and Allowances.
• Provide support to relatives and advise them and other witnesses on procedures in the Coroner's Court. Provide advice on action following inquest i.e. obtaining Death Certificate and appeal procedure.

Qualifications/Experience Needed:

• A Solicitor, either with a current practising certificate or eligible to apply for a practising certificate, or a qualified Barrister or a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, or possessing an equivalent qualification gained in another jurisdiction.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• A minimum of two years experience as a practicing lawyer.
• Specific knowledge of the law relating to:
  • Public Law
  • Coronial Law
• An understanding of client care in a legal service and its importance in service delivery.
• A good understanding of the concepts underpinning administrative and
  corporate law as it relates to local government.
• An understanding of the link between legal services and the operational
  management and policy objectives of the Council.
• An understanding of ethical and corporate governance and the role of elected
  members in local democracy.
• An awareness of the issues that face local government generally.
• An awareness of the key political, social and economic issues that affect Peterborough.