Cumberland Council
Advocate - Childcare Legal Team - CMB2589e
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Advocate - Childcare Legal Team - CMB2589e
In-House Advocate Vacancy
Cumberland Council | £56,883 to £59,198 per annum | 37 Hours per week | Civil Centre, Carlisle
About This Opportunity
Cumberland Council is seeking two experienced In-House Advocates, with a preference for candidates familiar with litigation in Child Protection cases, to join their Childcare Legal Team.
Key responsibilities include:
- Representing the Council in courts and tribunals as an advocate, including conducting multi-day hearings as required.
- Managing a small caseload of complex children social care work, including:
- Preparing cases for the Family Court
- Providing legal advice and assistance across all local authority departments, with a major focus on Children’s Services.
- Supporting the Group Lawyer, Senior Lawyers, and Chief Legal Officer in delivering a high-quality service.
- Working under the supervision of the Group Lawyer, while collaborating with legal officers and assistants.
- Contributing to legal services management, upholding corporate governance standards, and ensuring compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority guidelines.
This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic legal environment, offering challenging yet rewarding career progression in local government law. The role allows flexible working while maintaining professional excellence.
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Who We’re Looking For
Cumberland Council is searching for strong, proactive legal professionals with:
- Excellent communication skills.
- The ability to thrive in a high-pressure environment.
- An honest, open approach to management.
- Key qualifications:
- Qualified and admitted solicitors, barristers, or legal executives with a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience.
- Experience in children social care law.
- Multi-day advocacy experience in county courts, magistrates’ courts, and tribunals.
- Rights of audience in the High Court (or willingness to acquire Higher Rights of Audience within an agreed timescale for solicitors).
Ideal candidates will:
- Enjoy a challenging, varied workload.
- Offer innovative and collaborative contributions.
- Be proactive in legal practice enhancement.
Skills in proactively improving legal services and high ethical standards are preferable.
Benefits & Environment
- Flexible and supportive workplace, with a mix of remote and office-based working.
- Inclusive employer, committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities.
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Pro-adjusted support for recruitment and other needs.
Style of Work
- Hybrid working model (remote + court/office presence required).
- Collaborative team environment, balancing independence with supervision from senior lawyers.
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Essential Criteria
Please refer to the Post Specification for complete requirements.
Contact for Enquiries
For more details, arrange an informal chat, or general job-specific questions, email: Martin McAlister – MartinJohn.McAlister@cumbria.gov.uk.
Guaranteed Interviews Scheme
Under our diversity recruitment initiative, guaranteed interviews will be offered to:
- Applicants considering themselves disabled (as defined in the Equality Act 2010).
- Care leavers (aged 24 and under) or those in care.
- Members of the British Armed Forces community (including service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their spouses). Select ‘Yes’ to the relevant question during application.
Application & Interview Details
- Closing date: 09th July 2026 (earlier closure possible if role fills).
- Interviews: Week of 13th July 2026
If experiencing difficulties applying: Contact the HR Systems team – HR.Systems@cumbria.gov.uk.
For further details:
- About Cumberland Council
- Our Career Benefits
- Detailed role information – See Careers page. Disability & Inclusion Supports Available
Note: Please review the Post Specification for full essential criteria.
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