Employment Lawyer

Contract to start ASAP

Duration: 12 weeks with a possible extension.

Full job description

Employment Lawyer – London Borough of Lambeth

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Contract: 12-week temporary contract from 21 December 2026 to 14 March 2027

Provide Specialist Employment Law Advice Across Council Services

We're recruiting an experienced Employment Lawyer to join the London Borough of Lambeth, based at 6 Brixton Hill, London, Lambeth, SW2 1RW.

This is a specialist legal role providing high-quality employment law advice, case management and representation across a range of complex employee relations and workforce matters.

You'll work closely with HR, senior managers and other Council teams to provide clear, practical and legally robust advice on employment law, policy, litigation and organisational change.

About the Role

As an Employment Lawyer, you'll manage a varied caseload of employment law matters and provide specialist legal support across the Council.

You'll advise on contentious and non-contentious employment issues, prepare legal documentation, support tribunal cases and help ensure employment decisions are compliant with relevant legislation, case law and Council procedures.

What you'll be doing:

• Providing specialist employment law advice to HR, managers and senior officers
• Managing a varied caseload of employment-related legal matters
• Advising on disciplinary, grievance, capability and dismissal issues
• Providing legal advice on organisational change, restructures and redundancies
• Supporting complex employee relations cases
• Advising on discrimination, whistleblowing and equality matters
• Managing Employment Tribunal claims from initial response through to hearing
• Drafting ET3 responses, witness statements and other legal documents
• Preparing cases for hearings and liaising with external counsel where required
• Advising on settlement agreements and negotiated resolutions
• Reviewing employment policies, contracts and procedures
• Providing advice on TUPE matters where required
• Undertaking legal research and monitoring developments in employment law
• Identifying legal risks and recommending proportionate solutions
• Working closely with HR Business Partners and employee relations teams
• Supporting internal investigations and formal hearings
• Preparing legal briefings, reports and professional correspondence
• Representing the Council at hearings, negotiations or other proceedings where appropriate
• Maintaining accurate and confidential legal case records

Requirements

We're looking for a qualified and experienced employment law specialist with strong advisory and litigation skills.

You'll ideally have:

• Significant experience working as an Employment Lawyer or Solicitor
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and relevant case law
• Experience managing Employment Tribunal litigation
• Experience drafting ET3 responses, witness statements and legal submissions
• Strong knowledge of discrimination and equality legislation
• Experience advising on disciplinary, grievance, capability and dismissal matters
• Experience supporting restructures, redundancies and organisational change
• Knowledge of TUPE legislation and consultation requirements
• Strong legal research and analytical skills
• Excellent drafting and written communication skills
• Ability to provide clear, practical and risk-based legal advice
• Strong negotiation and dispute-resolution skills
• Ability to manage a demanding caseload and meet strict deadlines
• Previous local authority or public-sector employment law experience would be highly desirable
• Ability to work effectively with HR professionals and senior managers
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Ability to provide relevant references/work history
• Ability to complete required pre-employment checks

Why Apply

• Specialist employment law opportunity with the London Borough of Lambeth
• Excellent Umbrella rate of £65.00 per hour
• Full-time 35-hour working week
• 12-week temporary assignment
• Opportunity to manage complex employment law and tribunal matters
• Work closely with senior HR and management stakeholders
• Chance to further develop local authority and public-sector employment law experience
• Varied caseload covering advisory, litigation and organisational change work

Benefits

• Weekly Pay
• Company Pension
• Ongoing Agency Support

Additional Information

Client: London Borough of Lambeth

Job Title: Employment Lawyer

Location: 6 Brixton Hill, London, Lambeth, SW2 1RW

Positions Available: 1

Hours: 35 hours per week

Start Date: 21 December 2026

End Date: 14 March 2027

Contract Duration: 12 weeks

Contract Type: Temporary

Pay Rate: Umbrella: £65.00 per hour

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract

Pay: £65.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Company pension

Application question(s):

• Are you a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with employment law experience?
• Do you have experience managing Employment Tribunal claims?
• Are you confident advising on disciplinary, grievance, discrimination, dismissal and organisational change matters?
• Do you have experience drafting ET3 responses, witness statements and other tribunal documentation?
• Have you previously worked within a local authority or public-sector legal team?
• Are you able to reliably travel to 6 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1RW?
• Are you available to start from 21 December 2026?

Experience:

• Employment Law: 3 years (required)
• Employment Tribunal Litigation: 2 years (required)
• Public Sector / Local Authority Employment Law: 1 year (preferred)
• Organisational Change / TUPE: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Solicitor / Barrister / Chartered Legal Executive qualification (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Disclaimer: On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify iWork Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

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