The posting
Contract to start ASAP
Duration: 12 weeks with a possible extension.
Full Job DescriptionLawyer
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Hours: Full-time (36 hours per week)
Contract: Temporary – 12-week contract, ending 24 January 2027
Pay Rate: £55.00 per hour (Umbrella)
Provide High-Quality Legal Advice and Support Effective Council Decision-Making
We're recruiting an experienced and commercially aware Lawyer to support the London Borough of Waltham Foreston a temporary basis.
This is an excellent opportunity for a confident legal professional with experience advising public-sector organisations, handling complex legal matters and providing clear, practical guidance to officers and senior stakeholders.
You'll work as part of the council's legal function, managing an allocated caseload, providing legal advice and helping ensure decisions, policies and services are delivered lawfully and effectively.
About the Role
As Lawyer, you'll provide professional legal advice and representation across an allocated area of council activity. You'll manage a varied caseload, draft and review legal documentation, assess legal risk and work closely with council officers, managers and external stakeholders.
The precise legal specialism for this assignment has not been supplied and should be confirmed before publication. Depending on the service requirement, the caseload could involve areas such as local government law, housing, property, contracts, planning, employment, litigation, adult or children's services, or other areas of public law.
You'll need to work independently, prioritise effectively and provide timely advice in a fast-paced local authority environment.
What you'll be doing:
- Managing an allocated legal caseload, progressing matters efficiently and in accordance with agreed timescales.
- Providing clear and practical legal advice to council officers, managers and senior stakeholders.
- Drafting and reviewing legal documents, correspondence, agreements, notices and other relevant documentation.
- Advising on legal risk, identifying potential issues and recommending proportionate and legally compliant solutions.
- Conducting legal research, interpreting relevant legislation, regulations, case law and statutory guidance.
- Supporting lawful decision-making, ensuring officers understand relevant legal requirements and procedural obligations.
- Representing the council where appropriate, including negotiations, hearings, meetings or other formal proceedings depending on the legal specialism.
- Working closely with internal client departments, understanding operational requirements and providing responsive legal support.
- Liaising with external solicitors, barristers, courts, tribunals and other professional bodies where required.
- Preparing legal reports and briefings, presenting complex legal matters in a clear and accessible way.
- Maintaining accurate case records, ensuring documentation, deadlines and key decisions are properly recorded.
- Contributing to legal service improvements, sharing knowledge and helping improve processes and consistency.
- Supporting colleagues on complex or high-risk cases, where appropriate.
- Managing confidentiality and sensitive information, ensuring professional standards and data protection requirements are maintained.
Requirements
We're looking for a qualified, experienced and solutions-focused legal professional who can provide high-quality legal advice within a busy local authority environment.
You'll ideally have:
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive, or another legal qualification accepted by the council for the post.
- Current relevant professional status, where required for the role.
- Previous experience providing legal advice within a local authority, public-sector organisation or similarly regulated environment.
- Experience managing a complex legal caseload independently.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and public-sector legal principles.
- Experience drafting and reviewing legal documents and formal correspondence.
- Ability to assess legal and organisational risk and provide practical, proportionate advice.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues to non-legal colleagues.
- Excellent organisational and case-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines.
- Confidence working with senior officers and other professional stakeholders.
- Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- A professional and confidential approach to sensitive matters.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a legal team.
- Eligibility to work in the UK and the ability to complete relevant pre-employment checks.
Why Apply
- Opportunity to provide legal support within a major London local authority.
- Varied and challenging caseload with exposure to complex public-sector legal matters.
- Chance to work closely with senior council officers and operational services.
- Competitive umbrella rate of £55.00 per hour.
- 12-week temporary assignment with 36 hours per week.
Benefits
- Weekly Pay
- Company Pension
- Ongoing Agency Support
Benefits are subject to eligibility and the agreed agency and payroll arrangements.
Additional Information
Client: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Job Title: Lawyer
Employment Type: Temporary
Location: Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JF, United Kingdom
Working Arrangement: Office attendance, court attendance and any hybrid-working arrangements are to be confirmed.
Start Date: 2 November 2026
End Date: 24 January 2027
Contract Duration: 12 weeks
Hours: 36 hours per week
Positions Available: 1
Pay Rate: £55.00 per hour – Umbrella
IR35: Status to be confirmed
DBS / Vetting: Any specific checks will depend on the legal service area and should be confirmed by the council.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract
Pay: £55.00 per hour – Umbrella
Application question(s):
- Are you a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive or otherwise suitably qualified for this legal role?
- Please describe your experience managing a legal caseload within a local authority, public-sector organisation or similarly regulated environment.
- What areas of law do you specialise in, and which types of cases have you handled most recently?
- Please confirm your current location, ability to attend Waltham Forest Town Hall as required, and availability to start on 2 November 2026.
Experience:
- Legal advisory and case management experience: Essential
- Local authority or public-sector legal experience: Strongly preferred
- Experience within the specific legal specialism required for this assignment: To be confirmed
Qualifications:
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive: Preferred / subject to council requirements
- Current relevant professional practising status: To be confirmed
- Relevant continuing professional development: Desirable
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom – right to work required
Work Location: Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JF – attendance requirements to be confirmed.
Disclaimer: On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify iWork Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.
OR119834-10-26
