Legal Officer

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Operations Manager on behalf of Luton Borough Council within their People Directorate department.

Main purpose of position:

To provide a broad range of prosecution and associated services in relation to low level anti-social behaviour and public order offences and assist in providing other litigation support across the team to all departments of the council; represent the council with advocacy for simple matters, conducting cases from instructions to completion.

As a Legal Officer, you will be responsible to:

�Independently undertake and manage cases of various low level anti-social behaviour and disorder offences, primarily in support of the Council's Accredited Community Safety Officers; preparation of all necessary legal documentation in connection with court proceedings including summonses and standard Court notices; service of documents and disclosure of unused material.

�Review evidence relating to offences relevant to the post to determine whether evidential and public interest tests are met in line with the Council's enforcement and other policies. Advise as to alternative enforcement mechanisms for offences, e.g. registering fixed penalty notices as fines, in line with the public interest. Assist the Neighbourhood Delivery Service client in developing legal processes and procedures to operate efficiently and for sending robust instructions to Legal Services.

�Represent the Council in the Magistrates Court as advocate conducting low level cases, referring contested matters to more senior members of the team; providing ongoing support in line with that officer's directions; ensuring the proper conduct of all matters to their conclusion.

�Exercise judgment and advise client officers accordingly on associated enforcement methods. Instruct Counsel in such cases as may be required, taking all reasonable steps to enable decisions to be taken and implemented in accordance with the law in an efficient and timely manner.

�Participate in projects and assist in such corporate, interdivisional or interdepartmental work as may be required by the Principal Solicitor or the Head of Legal Services to enable the Council to formulate and implement policies in accordance with the law.

Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of prosecutions in the Magistrates Court
• Able to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with client departments, external legal advisers and court staff, with a high level of integrity, whilst able to deal with matters confidentially and sensitivity
• Able to conduct simple cases in the Magistrates Court
• Able to prepare accurate and grammatically correct legal documentation and correspondence and clearly present information
• Able to use own initiative to plan / prioritise own caseload to meet targets and deadlines efficiently
• Able to make effective decisions in determining appropriate court action or alternative enforcement
• Demonstrable knowledge of relevant English Law
• Detailed knowledge of the Criminal Procedure Rules relating to prosecution of summary only offences
• Agile/flexible working to suit service needs

About Us

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.

Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.

We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Connect2Luton, part of Luton Borough Council & Kent Commercial Services LLP, is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business and positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.