1 Month Contract With A Local Authority
(CHANCE OF 11 MONTH EXTENSION)
Role Purpose
As a Senior Housing Lawyer, you will supervise and manage a varied and complex housing litigation caseload, ensuring high-quality legal advice, robust risk management, and effective service delivery across the Council’s Housing functions.
Your caseload and supervision responsibilities will include:
* Disrepair claims
* Homelessness Judicial Reviews
* Possession proceedings
You will play a pivotal role in ensuring timely progression of matters while upholding the Council’s statutory and regulatory responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage a caseload of routine and non-routine housing legal matters.
* Provide senior-level supervision for approximately 188 active housing cases.
* Ensure all matters progress efficiently, with full compliance with statutory duties and professional practice standards.
* Deliver clear, consistent, and accurate legal advice to Housing Services and internal stakeholders.
* Advise on the interpretation and application of housing legislation, regulations, and case law.
* Undertake advocacy on behalf of the Council in courts and tribunals as required.
* Draft, review, and settle complex legal documents, pleadings, instructions to counsel, and committee or client reports.
* Ensure adherence to the Service’s practice management requirements and client care standards.
* Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across the housing caseload.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues within Legal & Governance Services.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in housing law, legal practice, and local government operations.
Requirements
* Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (Supreme Court of England and Wales/English Bar), or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
* Extensive, demonstrable experience in local government housing law.
* Proven ability to manage and advise on complex housing matters, including:
o Disrepair litigation
o Homelessness Judicial Reviews
o Possession proceedings
* Track record of delivering accurate, timely, and practical legal advice.
* Experience undertaking advocacy on behalf of a public body.
* Ability to manage a demanding workload with minimal supervision.