Principal Legal Officer

Principal Legal Officer (Public Sector - 12-Month Contract)
Location: Belfast
Salary: £29.55 per hour
Duration: Up to 12 months
Hours: Monday to Friday, flexible between 8am-6pm (core hours 10am-4pm)

Why Apply for This Role?

• Competitive hourly rate of £29.55
• Flexible working hours to support work-life balance
• Prestigious public sector opportunity within the Northern Ireland Civil Service
• Valuable experience in public law, working on behalf of a key government department
• Belfast city centre location - accessible and well-connected

The Opportunity

Staffline is recruiting for a Principal Legal Officer to join a major public sector organisation through the Northern Ireland Civil Service This role offers the opportunity to manage a varied caseload focused on defending employment tribunal and civil litigation cases in the High Court and County Court. Working as part of a legal team, the post holder will handle all aspects of case preparation, including liaising with witnesses and counsel, reviewing legal documentation, and attending hearings. The role also includes supporting judicial review applications through an on-call rota and providing general legal support as required.

Key responsibilities:

• The Post holder will be required to cover the full range of duties of the Division but with particular emphasis on defending employment Tribunal cases and litigation brought in the High Court and County Court jurisdictions.
• The duties detailed are not exhaustive and the Post holder will work as a member of a team with another Principal Legal Officer and the Senior Principal Legal Officer:
• Reading and familiarisation with voluminous employment and civil litigation documentation.
• Consulting with and corresponding with witnesses and other participants in employment and civil claims and/or their legal representatives.
• Pursuing requests for documentation and other evidence relevant to the scope of the employment and civil claims.
• Attending with witnesses, liaising with witnesses re preparation for employment and civil claims.
• Briefing and liaising with Counsel re hearings.
• Assisting witnesses in preparing for oral hearings.
• Follow up action points arising in the run up to and during the oral hearings.
• Assisting with submissions.
• Reading and commenting on draft documents.
• Undertaking any other tasks as necessary in support of our clients in the course of employment and civil claims and as directed by the post holder's line manager.
• Undertaking any other tasks as necessary in support of line manager.
• The post holder will carry a personal caseload which includes employment and litigation.
• The Post holder will be required to be a member of the Division's on-call rota for the provision of legal services to PSNI in respect of judicial review applications.

Essential Criteria

• Qualified solicitor or barrister eligible to practise in Northern Ireland
• Minimum of 3 years' post-qualification experience.
• Working knowledge and / or experience in employment law casework and litigation.
• Demonstrable experience in public sector or regulated environments is desirable

Additional Information

• Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK
• Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo an Access NI check via Staffline (cost between £16-£32, depending on clearance level)
• Combination of office work and working from home (hybrid approach) as agreed with line manager.

How to Apply

If you meet the essential criteria and are available for this role, we'd love to hear from you. Submit your CV via the link provided or contact:
Ray McPhillips
[email protected]
028 9024 2824

Please note: To be shortlisted for this role, all applicants must meet the essential criteria. These roles may be filled quickly; however, your CV will be kept on file for future similar opportunities. Due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to contact unsuccessful candidates.