Professional posts in Local Government - Lawyers, personnel officers and accountants
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If you're a lawyer used to working in a professional practice, you may be surprised to learn that local authority lawyers are organised and work in much the same way that they do in the private sector. Many legal departments operate like a mini-practice within a local authority, advising the Council's officers and elected member on aspects of contract or property law. But there are a number of specialist disciplines found in local authority legal departments not often found in small commercial practice that reflect the roles of the authority.
Local authorities both prosecute and defend, and the prosecuting role reflects the enforcement powers vested in most large councils. In a unitary authority, for example, legal staff will be involved in enforcing environmental health matters, trading standards cases, child protection and educational issues (usually truancy). Actions are also possible in respect of highways matters public rights of way and commons.
Defending the Council against actions brought by the public is an important part of the local authority lawyer's role. Then there are the Employment Tribunal cases, the advice on constitutional matters, elections law, public sector property transactions and compulsory purchases.
Few local authorities take on newly-qualified lawyers in graduate induction programmes, so you may have to wait for a vacancy to arise, or write speculatively to your chosen councils and try to use a period of work experience to 'make your mark'. If you are an law undergraduate, you may find that your local council would welcome some part-qualified, unpaid help during the vacation period - few legal departments are generously staffed.
Legal work in a local authority is rarely dull and carries the advantage of being able to make a positive, immediate contribution to the local community. However, you will not make your fortune practising law in a Council. Top salaries for those who reach Chief Executive rarely exceed £120,000 in large authorities - and Heads of Legal Services with around 10 -15 years' experience can command about £60,000.
