Salary: £34,434 - £35,412 per annum (pro rata equivalent £20,660 - £21,247 per annum)

Hours: 22.2 (3 Days) per week

Location: Cumberland

Contract: Permanent

About this opportunity

We are looking for a motivated and skilled Legal Officer to join our Legal and Democratic Services team. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a high‑performing service that provides vital legal support across the Council.

About the Role

As a Legal Officer, you will manage your own caseload, including non‑routine matters within your specialist area. Responsibilities may include supporting litigation, regulatory legal processes, and a range of legal transactions on behalf of the Council. You will also assist senior colleagues and contribute to maintaining high standards of legal practice across the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload, including non‑routine legal matters.
• Support all aspects of the litigation process (where applicable).
• Assist with legal processes linked to the Council’s regulatory functions.
• Provide support to managers, lawyers and senior legal officers.
• Contribute to service planning and high‑quality practice management.
• Mentor and support less experienced colleagues where required.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Martin McAlister by email at MartinJohn.McAlister@cumbria.gov.uk

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions

• Closing date: 15^th April 2026
• Interview date: TBC

If you experience any difficulties logging in to apply for this role, please contact the HR Systems team at HR.Systems@cumbria.gov.uk.

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council