Contracts & Procurement Lawyer

3 - 4 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide specialist legal advice and support on a broad range of commercial contracts and procurement matters, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and organisational policies. The role will support complex procurement projects, draft and negotiate contractual documentation, manage legal risks, and provide practical solutions to stakeholders across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on public procurement and commercial contract matters.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of contractual documentation, including framework agreements, call off contracts, service agreements, and bespoke contractual arrangements.
• Advise on procurement strategies and processes, ensuring compliance with procurement legislation and best practice.
• Support procurement exercises from inception to contract award, identifying and mitigating legal risks.
• Draft and negotiate construction and infrastructure contracts, including JCT and NEC forms of contract.
• Advise on Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks and associated contractual documentation.
• Provide clear, commercially focused legal guidance to officers, procurement teams, and senior stakeholders.
• Manage complex contractual disputes, variations, extensions, and termination matters where required.
• Keep up to date with developments in procurement law and provide guidance on legislative and regulatory changes.
• Contribute to the development of contract management processes, governance frameworks, and procurement best practice.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate.
• Significant experience advising on commercial contracts and public procurement matters.
• Strong knowledge of UK procurement legislation and procurement procedures.
• Extensive experience drafting and negotiating:
  • JCT contracts
  • NEC contracts
  • Crown Commercial Service (CCS) terms
  • Framework agreements
  • Call off contracts
  • Bespoke schedules and contractual documentation
• Experience supporting complex procurement projects and contract negotiations.
• Ability to identify legal risks and provide practical, solution focused advice.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within local government or the public sector is desirable.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload independently and work to tight deadlines.