Working hours: 35 hours per week, full time
Contract type: Permanent
Working style: Hybrid
Closing date: 13 November 2026
Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Put your legal experience to work for Manchester
This is a rare opportunity to join one of the largest and most respected local authority legal teams in the country. You'll work alongside talented and supportive colleagues on a diverse portfolio of property litigation, debt recovery and public sector litigation matters that genuinely make a difference to the city.
We welcome applications from both existing Senior Lawyers seeking a new challenge and experienced litigators who are ready to step into a senior role. If you have the technical expertise, commercial awareness and ambition to take the next step, we can offer high-quality work, genuine responsibility, excellent support and the opportunity to build a rewarding long-term career with Manchester City Council.
You will work closely with colleagues across Legal Services, Adult Social Care, Corporate, Housing and Finance, providing strategic legal advice and representation on matters that directly impact the Council's ability to protect public assets, recover public funds and deliver services effectively.
This is a high performing team working on high profile and exciting work.
About the Role
As a Senior Lawyer, you will manage a complex and diverse caseload and provide expert legal advice across a range of litigation matters. Key responsibilities will include:
- Advising on all aspects of property litigation, including, trespass, nuisance, rights of way, boundary disputes and land-related enforcement matters.
- Leading on the recovery of Adult Social Care debt and insolvency matters.
- Conducting and managing litigation in the County Court, High Court and tribunals.
- Providing proactive and commercially focused legal advice to internal clients and senior officers.
- Preparing legal documentation, pleadings, witness statements and settlement agreements.
- Instructing counsel and managing external legal support where required.
- Supporting strategic decision-making by identifying and managing legal risk.
- Managing, supervising and mentoring junior lawyers, legal officers and trainees.
- Deputise for the Principal Lawyer
- Contributing to service improvements and the ongoing development of Legal Services.
Why Manchester?
Our Legal Services team is highly regarded for the quality of its advice, innovation and commitment to delivering excellent outcomes. We support one of the UK's most dynamic and diverse cities and work across a broad range of complex and high-profile matters.
In return we offer:
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
- Health and wellbeing support.
- Employee benefits and discounts.
- A supportive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.
More than a job, this is Manchester
Join us and use your legal expertise to make a real difference to the city, its communities and the residents we serve.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Alison Ellor on [email protected] or Shaidah Ramzan on [email protected]
Apply now and help shape the future of Manchester.
Pre-employment checks
If you are successful, your appointment will be subject to completing the relevant pre-employment checks. These checks will be carried out as part of our recruitment process and includes:
- Qualification and Registration - Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive holding litigation rights and a current practising certificate
- Satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks where applicable.
For more information on these checks, please visit checks page.