Legal Support Officer
About the Role
As a Legal Support Officer, you will work within the Business Support Team at the heart of the Service, providing a top-class service to the legal staff and supporting them in delivering high-quality legal services across all three local authorities, in compliance with Lexcel accreditation.
No two days are the same and you will work with all legal teams. Amongst other tasks, you will undertake land registry and land charges searches, prepare court bundles and arrange for sealing of documents. In addition, each LSO will undertake some non-complex legal work such as preparing licences, tenancy agreements or charges and provide support with Councillor and Officer declarations of interest.
There will be opportunities for you to gain substantial knowledge and skills. At MKLS, we are committed to developing our employees. For full details of the duties you will undertake, please refer to the job description.
About Us
Mid Kent Legal Services (MKLS) is part of Mid Kent Services, a shared services directorate formed by Swale, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils. MKLS provides high quality legal services across the three Authorities encompassing Property and Regeneration, Planning, Contentious, Contracts & Commissioning and Corporate Governance.MKLS’s vision is aligned to the Partner Authorities for which it acts which is forward thinking, progressive and innovative. We look at utilising technology to maximise lawyers' time to deliver an efficient service to our clients.
MKLS is a supportive and nurturing environment which provides opportunities to progress through learning and development.
We are now looking for a Legal Support Officer to join us on a full-time basis working 34 hours per week.
Our Offer
A range of benefits including:- 34 hour full time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday.
- Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities.
- 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most role.
- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
- Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
- Free parking.
- Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time.
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities.
- Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
- Annual flu vaccine.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping.
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals.
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role.
About You
To be considered as a Legal Support Officer, you will need:- Administrative experience which has included posting, printing, scanning, taking notes etc.
- Legal experience as a legal secretary or assistant whether within a law firm, in an industry or public sector environment is desirable.
- An organised approach and an ability to prioritise multiple tasks.
- Good written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to adapt your communication style to meet the needs of the audience.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft 365 software, including Word, Outlook and Excel and general good IT literacy.
- Experience of using a case management system.
- A legal qualification at A or T Level would be desirable.
This is the ideal opportunity for a legal assistant or secretary with excellent admin skills to progress their legal career within our forward-thinking shared service.
You’ll have the chance to develop your professional skills and will be encouraged to specialise in a specific legal area to gain expertise and significantly increase your future worth. We’ll support you to gain further qualifications to enable your career track and enhance your capabilities.
Selection ProcessIf you would like to discuss this position, please contact Timothy Pyant on 01622 602155.
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.
Maidstone, Swale and Tunbridge Wells local authorities are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
Maidstone, Swale and Tunbridge Wells local authorities are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.
Swale Borough Council has a Sponsor License which enables successful candidates in eligible roles to be sponsored for work Visa purposes.