Employment lawyer

Location: North West, United Kingdom
Contract: Locum
Start date: ASAP
Duration: Until December, with a strong likelihood of extension
Working pattern: Full time or part time, fully remote or hybrid

About the role

Our client is a local authority in the North West, looking to appoint an experienced Employment Lawyer on a locum basis. The work is predominantly on the respondent side, with a particular focus on Employment Tribunal claims involving discrimination.

The successful candidate will act for the respondent in Employment Tribunal claims, taking matters from receipt of the claim through to final hearing. You will instruct counsel where required, and you will manage your own caseload of live matters with a high degree of independence. Alongside litigation, you will advise HR colleagues on day-to-day issues and provide strategic employment advice to the wider organisation.

You will also contribute to employment policy work, helping the authority keep its policies and practices up to date. The contract runs until December with a strong likelihood of extension, and the client would like someone to start as soon as possible. Fully remote working can be considered and hybrid arrangements are also available, and both full-time and part-time candidates are welcome. Rate details will be confirmed with candidates.

Main responsibilities

• Act as respondent in Employment Tribunal claims, from receipt of the claim through to final hearing
• Manage discrimination claims, including preparing responses, case management, disclosure and witness evidence
• Instruct and work with counsel where required, including for final hearings
• Provide practical employment law advice to HR colleagues and managers
• Give strategic employment advice on matters such as workforce change and organisational decisions
• Support the development, review and updating of employment policies
• Manage a busy caseload and prioritise work to meet tribunal deadlines
• Keep accurate case records and report progress clearly to stakeholders
• Support a clear handover of matters at the end of the contract

Requirements

Essential

• At least 3 years of employment law experience
• Strong Employment Tribunal experience, predominantly acting for respondents
• Experience of taking matters through to final hearing
• Strong experience of discrimination claims
• Confident advising HR and senior stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and manage a heavy caseload
• Availability to start as soon as possible

Desirable

• Local authority experience (preferred)
• Private sector experience combined with trade union experience (also considered)
• Experience of employment policy drafting and review

The offer

This is a locum engagement running until December with a strong likelihood of extension, starting as soon as possible. Fully remote working can be considered and hybrid arrangements are also available. Both full-time and part-time working are considered. Rate will be confirmed with candidates.

It offers a defined remit within a local authority legal setting, with meaningful tribunal work and direct involvement in strategic employment advice.

If you are an experienced employment lawyer with strong respondent-side tribunal and discrimination experience, this role offers a flexible locum engagement in the North West with the potential for a longer term.

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