Housing Litigation Lawyer

Islington Council; Greater London; Sur place; GBP 60 000 - 85 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Learning and development opportunities

London Living Wage at minimum

Flexible working arrangements

Local government pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Résumé du poste

Islington Council is seeking Housing Litigation Lawyers to join the in-house Legal Services team. The role involves handling a substantial caseload on housing and related matters, providing expert advice and drafting/negotiating legal documents.

You will represent the Council in courts and inquiries, while staying updated on relevant housing law developments and contributing to policy and training needs. The post sits within the Housing Litigation Team of Legal Services, offering opportunities

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or CILEX fellow (as stated in job description).
• Experience in housing litigation or related housing law is implied by role.

Responsabilités

• Manage a substantial personal caseload including housing, anti-social behaviour, homelessness, nuisance, landlord, tenant and leaseholder rights.
• Draft, negotiate and agree legal documentation.
• Stay updated on developments in housing law and advise the Principal Lawyer on implications for the team.
• Advise on the Council's powers and ensure legality of decisions and risk mitigation.
• Act as an advocate for the Council in courts, tribunals and inquiries; instruct Counsel when necessary.
• Support team operations and contribute to cohesive working within Legal Services.
• Draft reports and prepare legal implications for reports to Executive and meetings.
• Contribute to policy development and good practice; assist with client liaison and training needs.

Description du poste

About The Role

Job overview

Following a recent reorganisation, exciting opportunities have arisen within Legal Services for three dedicated, enthusiastic Housing Litigation Lawyers. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a passion for public service, this could be your next career step.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX fellow to join our high-performing in-house team as a Housing Litigation Lawyer, specialising in resolving legal disputes related to housing and property, including possession, anti-social behaviour, tenancy fraud, and homelessness matters. The role includes:

• Managing a substantial personal caseload, including providing legal advice on housing legislation, anti-social behaviour, homelessness, nuisance, landlord, tenant and leaseholder rights, and offering specialised expertise in your field.
• Drafting, negotiating and agreeing legal documentation.
• Staying current with developments in relevant areas of law and informing the Principal Lawyer about any implications for the Team's work.
• Advising on the Council's powers and decision-making processes, ensuring the legality of its decisions and risk mitigation.
• Acting as an advocate for the Council in relevant courts, tribunals, and inquiries, and instructing Counsel to represent the Council when necessary.
• Contributing to the efficient operation of the team and Legal Services as a cohesive unit, fostering collaboration and supporting colleagues to achieve shared goals.
• Drafting reports, preparing legal implications for reports to the Executive, and other member and officer-level meetings, and attending these meetings as a representative of Legal Services as needed.
• Contributing to developing policy and good practice.
• Assisting with client liaison including forward planning for service requirements and facilitating with training needs.

Working for our organisation

You will be working within the Housing Litigation Team in the Legal Services department, responsible for dealing with all aspects of housing litigation, associated advice and disputes.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are managing the recruitment process internally and will reach out directly should we require external support. Thank you for your understanding.

About You

Working for the team, service and our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre-Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:

• Proof of address
• Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.