Senior Solicitor

Westminster City Council are looking for an Interim Commercial & Property Litigation Solicitor. Minimum £422 per day. Inside IR35. Fully Remote. Information about the role: This is a specialist civil litigation and commercial property litigation role. You will run your own caseload of complex contentious matters for one of the most active and high-profile local authorities in the country - development land and telecoms disputes, commercial landlord and tenant work, dilapidations, forfeiture, breach of covenant, possession claims and contractual disputes - in the County Court, the High Court and the Property Tribunals. The work is genuinely comparable to a good commercial property litigation seat in private practice, with the difference that you have a single, engaged client, a real say in how matters are run, and cases that shape a major central London estate. Why this might suit you if you are in private practice Work from anywhere in the UK. This role is remote by default - there is no requirement to attend the office on a regular basis, and no requirement to live in or near London. You will attend court, tribunal and occasional team or committee meetings as the work requires. Part time and flexible working from day one. We are happy to discuss reduced hours, compressed hours, term-time working, job shares and flexible start and finish times at application stage. Local Government Pension Scheme. You will be automatically enrolled in the LGPS, a defined benefit career average scheme with a substantial employer contribution and life cover - typically the single largest difference in total reward between in-house local government and private practice. 31 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, plus an extra day off around your birthday. You can carry over up to 5 days and buy up to 10 additional days each year. All pro rata for part time staff. No business development, no origination targets and no client pitching. Your time is spent on the law and the cases. High quality, varied contentious work without the private practice hours culture. What you will be doing Running a caseload of complex civil and commercial property litigation independently, from first instructions through to trial or settlement. Conducting proceedings at all levels of the civil courts and before the Property Tribunals, including the First-tier and Upper Tribunals. Drafting statements of case, witness statements and other litigation documents, advising on law and evidence, and instructing and working with counsel and experts. Advising council departments clearly and commercially, taking proper instructions and giving timely, practical advice. Handling matters that are high profile, politically sensitive or financially significant, with the judgement that requires. Drafting reports for Cabinet, Cabinet Members and committees, and attending meetings where needed - occasionally outside standard hours. Supporting and supervising junior colleagues, and keeping the team and its clients up to date on developments in the law. Recording time accurately against the team's internal recharge and chargeable hours targets. About you Essential A solicitor or barrister qualified in England and Wales with a current practising certificate, or a Chartered Legal Executive with practice rights, with at least 2 years' post-qualification experience. Demonstrable experience of running complex civil and property litigation independently, including in the County Court, High Court and Property Tribunals. Expertise across contentious property matters - development land (including telecoms) and property contracts, and commercial landlord and tenant work such as possession, dilapidations, break notices, forfeiture and breach of covenant. A working knowledge of local authority powers and duties in relation to civil litigation - or the appetite to pick it up quickly. Confident working in a fully remote and digital environment, with the self-direction that requires. Excellent drafting and advocacy, and the ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-lawyers.Desirable Insolvency law and/or construction litigation experience. Previous local government or other public sector experience