What we bring to Dorset

Legal Services is a is a team of 60 dedicated and enthusiastic professionals, who work together to provide high quality advice and support to members and officers across the council, and some external clients.

We are made up of six teams specialising in a wide range of legal disciplines, and each team has extensive public sector knowledge and experience.

The service is led by a supportive management team who have created a positive working environment for our team to develop and build their careers in our modern and inclusive organisation.

We are a forward-thinking legal service, with benefits of hybrid working, case management systems and improved technology, helping us to work effectively as a strong team and to support our council to make a difference, for our residents and businesses in Dorset.

“I can honestly say the move to the Local Authority was one of the best choices I have ever made. The support provided by my team and the larger organisation, along with the ability to learn and achieve, is incredible.”

Tania Carter, Legal Executive

The Legal Service in numbers

9,500 land charge searches

processed 2022 to 2023

Over 1,400

council assets

over 4,500 staff 

employed by Dorset Council

95 academies and

35 council run schools

What we are proud of

  • we are a really unified service. We are encouraging, respectful and supportive of each other, with a great reputation with council and external customers
  • everyone in our service has the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and skills
  • we offer career progression opportunities through work experience, apprenticeships SRA and CILEX compliant training
  • we have a strong client focus to ensure a quality service is always provided with excellent customer feedback

Why we work for Dorset Council

Lydia Reeves - Solicitor

"I was supported to study my LPC part time over two years and was then given the opportunity of a training contract. …"

Ilhan Idriz - Local Land Charges Officer

"I joined Land Charges in 2020 and it has been a life changing experience…"

Jessica Dunning - Solicitor

"I started my legal career as a Paralegal within the Adult’s Team. Dorset Council gave me the opportunity to progress…"

Grace Evans - Head of Legal Services

"I have been working in legal services within local government for over 15 years and have..."

Hannah Massey

"From the start of my time with the council, I was impressed at the level of trust that was placed in me...."

Find out more about the teams in Legal Services

Adult Services Legal Team

The Adult Legal services team provides advice, training and representation in court on a wide variety of adult social care matters.

Litigation Team

The Litigation team provides advice, and representation in court on a wide variety of litigation matters across several departments within the Council.

Contract and Commercial Team

The team is unique in Legal Services in that it provides advice to officers across all five of the Council’s Directorates. 

Regulatory Team

We provide advice mainly to the Council’s Planning, Highways, Licensing, Harbours, and Community Protection Services. 

Local Land Charges Team

The Local Land Charges Team are responsible for the Local Authority Searches within Dorset.

Property Team

The Property team deals with a wide range of transactional and advice work.

Childcare Legal Team

The Childcare legal team work hard to contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people.