Central government is now committed to working in partnership with local government, but requires local authorities to prove that they are capable of providing services to the best possible value, and duties to that effect are being imposed. New forms of local democracy are also being tested and new requirements to ensure probity are being proposed. All of this brings in new roles for the lawyer. There will be a continued need for some local authority services from time to time to test their value against private sector competition. So far, a large majority of in-house legal services have managed to prove themselves more efficient and cost effective than their competitors.
Many councils now operate in-house legal practices along commercial lines.
However, whatever happens to local authorities there will always be a need for good lawyers with local government experience. Change is a challenge, not a threat. It is always useful to see what goes on in the legal department of a local authority and this will be of assistance if you are looking for a local government training contract. Work placements can be provided. Some authorities offer 4-12 week summer placements with pay.