Location
Westminster, with hybrid working options including up to two days from home in line with service requirements.

Hours
Full Time - 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Salary
£57,495 per annum plus a 5% market factor payment and a hard to fill benefits package of £2,327 per annum. Benefits can be used towards gym membership, health insurance, season ticket purchase, bicycle purchase, additional voluntary pension contributions, subscriptions, and professional fees.

About the Role
As a General Litigation Lawyer at Southwark Council, you will deliver high-quality legal services ensuring cost-effective and legally sound decision-making. You will manage a diverse caseload including commercial and residential property disputes, contract issues, injunctions, and enforcement cases. Your role involves providing strategic and tactical legal advice, representing the Council in complex and sensitive cases including court advocacy, and collaborating with officers at all levels to shape legal strategies. You will stay up to date with court rules, demonstrate strong file management, ensure legal compliance in decision-making, assess new legislation, and contribute to project groups and steering panels. This role offers the opportunity to handle diverse, complex, and high-profile litigation cases that directly impact the local community, within a flexible and supportive culture committed to work-life balance and career growth.

About Southwark Council
Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes and supporting over 18,300 businesses including iconic venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern, and Borough Market. The Council is committed to tackling inequalities and fostering a just and fair borough. Southwark values its diverse population and cultural richness, underpinned by the Southwark 2030 and Southwark Stands Together initiatives. The Council particularly welcomes applications from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level.

Experience
- Qualified lawyer authorised to conduct litigation with at least 3 years post-qualification experience, including 2 years handling general litigation and advisory work.
- Strong case management skills with the ability to handle a varied caseload effectively.
- Experience or exposure to public sector legal work is desirable.
- Commercial awareness and ability to identify and manage litigation risk.

About you
- Practical, proactive, and results-driven.
- Confident written and verbal communicator with a collaborative work ethic.
- Advocacy skills and a desire to represent the Council in court.
- Ability to quickly adapt to unfamiliar legal areas and work with minimal supervision.

Qualifications
- Current practising certificate as a Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Fellow (or eligibility to apply for one).