Licensing Lawyer

At Connect2Hackney, we are looking for a dedicated and skilled Licensing Lawyer to join the ambitious, agile Legal & Governance team at the London Borough of Hackney.

In this role, you will manage a varied caseload of routine and complex licensing and regulatory legal matters with minimal supervision. Serving as a trusted legal advisor, you will deliver clear, accurate, and pragmatic advice across the Council's services and represent the authority at sub-committees and tribunals-helping balance a vibrant local economy with community safety across a dynamic inner-London borough.

• Caseload Management: Oversee a demanding caseload of routine, non-routine, and complex legal matters relating to licensing (including alcohol, entertainment, gambling, and sex establishment licensing), ensuring work is delivered to high professional standards.
• Committee Advisory & Advocacy: Provide real-time legal advice to the Licensing Committee and sub-committees during evening hearings, and undertake advocacy on behalf of the Council in courts and tribunals when required.
• Legal Advice & Strategy: Deliver clear, consistent, and practical legal advice to Council officers, service managers, and elected Members on regulatory frameworks and local government law.
• Drafting & Documentation: Draft complex legal notices, committee reports, policy documentation, and legal agreements.
• Compliance & Standards: Maintain files in accordance with Lexcel requirements, SRA/Law Society rules, and practice management standards, while recording required chargeable hours (minimum 1,200 per annum) via the case management system.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong working relationships with internal teams, external solicitors, counsel, police, enforcement agencies, and members of the public.

To succeed in this post, you will be a proactive licensing specialist or regulatory advocate who thrives under pressure and enjoys working as part of a collaborative team.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Qualified Legal Professional: Solicitor or Barrister qualified in England and Wales, or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
• Licensing & Regulatory Expertise: Experience handling a caseload of legal matters focused on licensing law, committee procedures, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Advocacy & Committee Skills: Experience carrying out advocacy and advising elected Members or committees in a formal decision-making environment.
• Local Government Insight: An understanding of the workings of local government and the unique socio-economic factors affecting a diverse, bustling inner-city area.
• Case Management: Proven experience using legal case management software and achieving outcome-focused targets or time-recording goals.

Skills & Attributes:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal points clearly to non-legal audiences.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and decision-making skills.
• Willingness to attend essential evening committee meetings as required.
• Commitment to promoting Hackney's Equality & Diversity policies in all aspects of work.

The London Borough of Hackney offers a supportive, modernising environment where your legal guidance directly shapes local policy and community wellbeing. You will benefit from flexible working arrangements, ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to be part of an impactful legal team.

If you are ready to bring your regulatory and licensing expertise to a forward-thinking London borough, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply directly through Connect2Hackney today with your updated CV and a brief supporting statement outlining your relevant licensing law experience.

Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.