Job Description

West Dunbartonshire Council is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic solicitor to join our dynamic Commercial and Place Team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on high value, diverse and challenging projects providing legal expertise to support the Council’s strategic priorities and outcomes. In addition it is expected the solicitor will undertake various forms of conveyancing, such as sales and purchase, in particular the Council’s Buy Back scheme of former Council houses; title research and advice; leases or lease management documentation; providing advice to other Council services on property and commercial matters, including but not restricted to Planning, Roads and Assets; the solicitor will also likely be required to provide advice and assistance for contracts and procurement.

These projects are challenging from a legal perspective requiring the solicitor to exhibit knowledge and practical experience of often complex property transactions.

You should be an excellent communicator with the ability to work to deadlines and manage a large caseload. Additionally you will advise Council officers on the Council’s internal governance arrangements in respect of various contract and property matters.

You must be admitted as a solicitor by the Law Society of Scotland and hold a current unrestricted Practising Certificate.

Requirements

The preferred candidate will be required to complete a Level 2 (Standard) Disclosure check prior to a formal offer being made by West Dunbartonshire Council.

The employment for which you are applying is excepted from the provisions of section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are, therefore, not statutorily entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are "spent" under the provisions of the Act. In the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action.

Responsibilities

Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which introduced restrictions on some posts on the basis of one or more defined criteria, this post has been deemed "politically restricted".

This is an exciting opportunity to work on diverse and challenging projects providing legal expertise to support the Council’s strategic priorities and outcomes.

You can read more about the Council's goals here:-

https://www.west- dunbarton.gov.uk/media/4322598/strategic-plan-2022-27.pdf

The Individual

The successful candidate will benefit from the following:

West Dunbartonshire Council was voted one of the top ten flexible employers and prides itself in providing flexible working to support work life balance. In addition to this there are also additional benefits:

• Access to the Local Government pension scheme (LGPS) with an employer’s contribution of at least 19.3% and all associated benefits
• A minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing a day each year up to 35 days as well as 8 fixed public holidays each year
• Access to employee wellbeing supports including occupational health & counselling if ever you need help and support
For information about West Dunbartonshire Council please click on the following link and see why we are an employer of choice: About Us
More information on the benefits of working within West Dunbartonshire Council, can be found using the following link: Benefits of Working with us