Legal Officer (DP)

Deputy Principal Legal Officer

Salary: £24.59 p/h

Location: Craigavon / Remote Working

Hours: 9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri / 37 hours per week

Duration: Temporary ongoing

Job Summary:

• Must be a qualified solicitor/barrister entitled to hold a practice certificate.
• Assist with detailed guidance on charity legislation as required.
• Provide advice to Commission staff and Board on legal issues, including complex applications for charitable status and consents required under the legislation. This will include consideration of complex constitutions, requiring reference to Trust, Contract and Company law.
• Conduct appeals on behalf of Commission in the Charity Tribunal.
• Prepare briefs and instruct Counsel/CSO on behalf of Commission if required.
• Provide advice to Commission on issues arising out of appeals.
• Provide advice for investigation and monitoring staff and assist with legal processes arising as a result of investigations.
• Provide advice on internal legal issues such as contracts or employment issues.
• Keep abreast of charity case law and inform Commission of relevant developments.
• Advise on and assist in the writing of precedents and decisions for refusal of entry to the register.
• Respond to Freedom of Information inquiries where appropriate.
• Maintain a database and records of legal issues and precedents.
• Comply with Data Protection, Freedom of Information and CCNI requirements relating to documentation and record keeping.
• Ability to work flexibly across teams and a range of areas.
• Ability to manage own workload and work simultaneously on range of complex tasks.
• Undertake other ad-hoc duties as may be reasonably required and requested by Commission.

Essential Criteria:

Qualification

• Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland or called to the Bar of Northern Ireland
• Holds or is entitled to hold a practising certificate from the Law Society of Northern Ireland or Bar Council

Experience

• Have a minimum of 5 years' post qualification experience in trust and/or company and/or property and/or contract law.
• Experience of working as part of a team providing sound legal advice and preparing reports.
• Experience of preparing briefs and instructions to counsel and evidence of representation in litigation in Court/Tribunal proceedings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage a diverse and complex workload and deliver to high standards against tight deadlines.
• Ability to provide and present legal advice to a range of different types of audiences.
• Ability to collaborate with key stakeholders and develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret and apply the law.
• Ability to maintain an up to date knowledge of charity case law and all relevant charity legislation.
• Working knowledge of trust and/or company and/or property and/or contract law.
• Ability to maintain an effective awareness of legislation and governance practice.
• Ability to identify and manage risks to the delivery of the organisation's work.
• Ability to work flexibility across teams and projects.
• High degree of literacy, numeracy and computer skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate database records on all legal issues.
• Knowledge and application of General Data Protection Regulations.

If you are interested and available for this position, please upload your CV to the link provided or contact Ray McPhillips. [email protected] or call on 02890242824

To be shortlisted for this role all applicants MUST meet the essential criteria. Please note that these roles may be filled quickly but your CV will be kept on file for future similar roles. As there are so many applications, unsuccessful candidates may not be contacted.

Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Staffline regardless if you already have a valid certificate. It will be a cost of between £16 - £32 depending on clearance level.