Legal Officer

Job Description

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Staffordshire County Council is amodern,progressiveand forward-thinking authoritythat is ambitious and empowersits employeestobe courageous and innovativein their approach.

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Staffordshire Legal Servicesis a largein-housecorporate legal team,consisting of lawyers,traineesand support staff,with a key focus on staff training,retentionand progression. The servicesupportstheCounty Council in the delivery of itsobjectivesby providingquality servicesto support every single functionin theCouncilincluding Environment and Countryside,as well asto awiderange of external clients.

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The successful candidatewillundertakea rewardingvariedcaseload ofcountryside and public rights of way related matters sopreviousexperience of these specialisms is essential,within either public sector or private practice.

\n

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• generous holiday entitlement
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• flexi time
\n
• annual leave purchase scheme
\n
• employee discounts
\n
• local government pension scheme
\n
• optional car leaseschemeandastaff parking discount scheme
\n

\n

We understand the importance of a work-life balance andcurrently offer remote working with attendance at ourStafford office on flexible patterns andin accordance withbusiness need. We are also happy to consider requests for part-time working.

Main Responsibilities\n

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• progressing Definitive Map Modification Applications to conclusion, including investigation, research, writing reports and presenting to a Panel of Members.
\n
• drafting and serving legal Orders and Notices, submissions to the Secretary of State, and attending public hearings and inquiries in relation to the same.
\n
• providing general legal advice on countryside and public rights of way matters including legal research.
\n
• adhering to the Legal Services Unit’s LEXCEL quality standards.
\n
• such other duties as may reasonably be required including providing assistance with the drafting of Committee reports to more junior members of the team, and checking the same.
\n

The Ideal Candidate\n

\n
• knowledge of the law relating to countryside and public rights of way
\n
• ability to work independently and as part of a team
\n
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
\n
• excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
\n

Interviews will be held during the week commencing 28th September 2026. About Staffordshire County Council\n

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:\n

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

\n

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

\n

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

\n

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

\n

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

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In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to

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Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

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Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

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Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

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About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

Legal Officer\n

Company: Staffordshire County Council

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Salary: £33,699 to £38,220 a year

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Hours: Full-time

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Location: Staffordshire Place 1, ST16 2DH

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Job type: Temporary

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Posting date: 26 Aug 2026

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Closing date: 13 Sept 2026

Summary\n

Staffordshire County Council is amodern,progressiveand forward-thinking authoritythat is ambitious and empowersits employeestobe courageous and innovativein their approach.

\n

Staffordshire Legal Servicesis a largein-housecorporate legal team,consisting of lawyers,traineesand support staff,with a key focus on staff training,retentionand progression. The servicesupportstheCounty Council in the delivery of itsobjectivesby providingquality servicesto support every single functionin theCouncilincluding Environment and Countryside,as well asto awiderange of external clients.

\n

The successful candidatewillundertakea rewardingvariedcaseload ofcountryside and public rights of way related matters sopreviousexperience of these specialisms is essential,within either public sector or private practice.

\n

\n
• generous holiday entitlement
\n
• flexi time
\n
• annual leave purchase scheme
\n
• employee discounts
\n
• local government pension scheme
\n
• optional car leaseschemeandastaff parking discount scheme
\n

\n

We understand the importance of a work-life balance andcurrently offer remote working with attendance at ourStafford office on flexible patterns andin accordance withbusiness need. We are also happy to consider requests for part‑time working.

Main Responsibilities\n

\n
• progressing Definitive Map Modification Applications to conclusion, including investigation, research, writing reports and presenting to a Panel of Members.
\n
• drafting and serving legal Orders and Notices, submissions to the Secretary of State, and attending public hearings and inquiries in relation to the same.
\n
• providing general legal advice on countryside and public rights of way matters including legal research.
\n
• adhering to the Legal Services Unit’s LEXCEL quality standards.
\n
• such other duties as may reasonably be required including providing assistance with the drafting of Committee reports to more junior members of the team, and checking the same.
\n

The Ideal Candidate\n

\n
• knowledge of the law relating to countryside and public rights of way
\n
• ability to work independently and as part of a team
\n
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
\n
• excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
\n
• Strong I.T skills
\n

Interviews will be held during the week commencing 28th September 2026. About Staffordshire County Council\n

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:\n

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

\n

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

\n

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

\n

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

\n

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to

\n

Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

\n

Our recruitment process:

\n

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

\n

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

\n

As part of our commitment as a

\n

Disability Confident employer

\n

Gold Award Armed Forces

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care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

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