Housing Disrepair Lawyer

Express Solicitors Limited; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

23 days holiday

Holiday buy-back & birthday day

Onsite gym

Job summary

Express Solicitors Limited in Manchester seeks a driven Claimant Housing Disrepair Lawyer to manage a full caseload of housing disrepair matters for tenants, delivering excellent client care and strong legal outcomes.

Ideally 3+ years PQE/CILEX, though qualified by experience considered. The role offers a generous commission scheme and hybrid working after probation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years PQE preferred; candidates qualified by experience may be considered.
• Experience handling housing disrepair or civil litigation matters.
• Strong knowledge of pre-action protocols, CPR, and evidential requirements.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload with accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Manage a full caseload of housing disrepair claims from start to finish.
• Provide clear legal advice and draft pleadings, statements, and correspondence.
• Negotiate settlements and represent clients in court when required.
• Work within a fast-paced, target-driven environment and supervise junior staff as needed.
• Maintain ongoing client communication throughout the case lifecycle.

Skills

Housing disrepair experience

Civil litigation

Drafting

Negotiation

Advocacy

Caseload management

Client-focused communication

Independence & collaboration

Litigation strategy

Tribunal advocacy

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive

Tools

Proclaim

Job description

Established in 2000, Express Solicitors is an award‑winning, no win no fee law firm specialising exclusively in personal injury claims. Headquartered in Manchester, we support clients nationwide across all areas of personal injury, including employers’ liability, serious injury, clinical negligence, occupiers’ and public liability, road traffic accidents and industrial disease.

We are ranked 60th in The Lawyer UK Top 200, out of more than 10,000 law firms nationwide, and after achieving a 24% year‑on‑year growth, Express Solicitors are the largest personal injury claimant firm in the UK.

Our commitment to outstanding client care is reflected in our Trustpilot rating of 4.7 (Excellent), placing us among the highest‑rated firms in the sector.

The Role

We are looking for a driven and experienced Claimant Housing Disrepair Lawyer to join our expanding team. The successful candidate will manage their own caseload of housing disrepair matters on behalf of tenants, delivering exceptional client care and achieving strong legal outcomes.

Ideally, you will have 3+ years’ PQE/CILEX, although we will also consider candidates who are qualified by experience. Tenacity, ability, and enthusiasm are essential qualities for achieving the best results for our clients. This role involves managing a full caseload of both pre- and post-issue Housing Disrepair claims.

We offer a highly competitive commission structure in which every lawyer receives a percentage of each successful case—without caps or hurdles—ensuring you are rewarded for every completion.

Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of Housing Disrepair claims from cradle to grave
• Conduct legal research and provide clear, accurate legal advice to clients.
• Prepare and draft key legal documentation, including pleadings, witness statements, and correspondence.
• Negotiate settlements and, where required, represent clients in court.
• Work effectively within a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
• Supervise a small sub-team as required.
• Collaborate with colleagues to secure positive case outcomes.
• Stay informed on relevant legislation, case law, and regulatory developments.
• Draft letters of claim and conduct all aspects of litigation, including liaising with defendants, experts, and opposing solicitors.
• Assess liability and quantum, obtain expert evidence, and prepare schedules of loss.
• Attend hearings, mediations, and settlement meetings when necessary.
• Maintain strong, supportive client communication throughout the life of each case.
• Ensure cases progress efficiently and comply with internal, SRA, and FCA requirements where applicable.
• Utilise case management systems and digital workflows effectively.

Person Specification

• Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive (3 + years PQE preferred, but all levels considered).
• Proven experience handling housing disrepair or civil litigation matters.
• Strong knowledge of pre-action protocols, CPR, and evidential requirements.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Empathetic, client-focused communicator committed to achieving the best outcomes.
• Capable of working independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities.
• Experience supporting vulnerable clients.
• Experience using case management software; Proclaim experience is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage litigated cases from start to finish
• Genuine tenacity and a proactive approach.
• Solid understanding of civil procedure rules and litigation trends, with the ability to apply them strategically.

Salary & Hours

A basic salary of up to £55,000, dependent on experience. Along with a very generous commission scheme, paid monthly in arrears.

Our standard working hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30am to 5pm Friday.

Hybrid Working

3/2 hybrid working pattern after probation.

23 Days Holiday

• Rising to 26 days, plus bank/public holidays.
• 3 holiday buy backs and an extra day for your birthday after service length requirement.

Looking After Your Health

• Private medical insurance available after 2 years’ service, annual flu jab and Employee Assistance Programme.
• 24/7 onsite Gym, Netball/Football team, 10km Manchester team and more.

Work Life / Balance

Active social committee with generous departmental and firm-wide social budget.

Interviews will be conducted by MS Teams and will include scenario-based questioning.

Our employees are our most important asset, we rate skill and ability above all else and our recruitment policy encourages applications from all.