Legal Counsel - Public, Regulatory and Litigation

Legal Counsel - Public, Regulatory and Litigation

When you join the Christchurch City Council you'll be getting involved first hand and working to shape the future of this city, our communities and environment. As well as working with awesome people within a large and diverse organisation, you'll find many opportunities to develop and progress your career with us. Christchurch City Council, where it's possible to love what you do.

Our in-house legal team is one of the largest in the South Island and covers the full range of legal work that is required to support a large, busy, and complex organisation, and we are fortunate to be fully integrated to work with our colleagues across the organisation.

This is an excellent introduction to the role of an in-house lawyer, while still being able to build your connections and networks within private practise firms. While billing and fees are not part of our daily operation, you will continue to develop and hone skills that are required in private practice, such as client engagement and advisory, opinion writing, drafting, negotiating, file management and achieving deliverables and accountabilities.

About the team | Ko te rōpū nei

The Public, Regulatory and Litigation Team works primarily with our business units under Consenting, Building, Compliance, Democratic Services, and Policy, but also with our business units Transport, Parks, and Three Waters on a range of projects, including a huge array of work in relation to civil litigation matters relating to breach of contract/or tort, weather tightness claims and general commercial, insurance and construction disputes

About the role | Ko te mahi nei

We need a lawyer with 2 - 3 years PQE to join us in the Public, Regulatory and Litigation Team. You will be working on files with skilled, experienced lawyers (both in-house and those on our external panel) as well as having your own files that you deal with independently (while being supported as you learn and develop).

Ideally , t he preferred candidate would be a generalist who is willing to undertake work ranging from public law and regulatory work through to civil litigation. If you don’t have litigation experience, you should not be put off from applying. You will report directly to the Manager of the Public, Regulatory & Litigation Team. .

What s in it for you? He aha ngā hua ki a koe?

Want to be involved in shaping your City? Here at the Council we know our strength comes from our people, working together as one team to create results. When you join us, you're getting involved first hand, and contributing to crafting the Christchurch community. You will also benefit from:

• Access to training programmes, workshops, and development opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements - WFH, adjustable start and finish times, option to purchase extra leave.
• Collaboration - exposure to wider areas of the organisation
• Benefits - a variety of benefits for Council staff from health schemes to retail discounts.

If this sounds like an interesting opportunity, you think you have what it takes and want to get involved in shaping our City then please apply today.

At the Christchurch City Council, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways.

We understand that recruitment processes can be challenging. If you require any support or adjustments to help you put your best foot forward, please reach out to us atjobst.nz

• Hours of work - Monday to Friday
• Position - Fixed Term 12 months
• Location
  - This position is primarily based at
• Salary-The salary band for this position goes from $88,003 - $97,781 per annum based on a 40 hour week. Starting salaries will be based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, and relativities both, within the immediate team and in the broader organisation for the same or similar roles.
• Closing Date - 4th February 2026

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date.

Linwood |
Post date: 22 Jan 2026 |
Close date: 12 Feb 2026 09:00 |
Expertise: Community Services & Development |
Work Type: Fixed Term, Full-time

Central City |
Post date: 22 Jan 2026 |
Close date: 29 Jan 2026 23:55 |
Expertise: Contract Management, Engineering, Procurement & Supply Chain Management |
Work Type: Permanent, Full-time

Central City |
Post date: 21 Jan 2026 |
Close date: 04 Feb 2026 09:00 |
Expertise: Legal |
Work Type: Fixed Term, Full-time

Where it's possible to love what you do.