Legal Assistant - Financial Litigation team

LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Brent Council is seeking a Legal Assistant in its Financial Litigation team on a permanent basis. The role involves managing debt recovery matters and often initiating county court proceedings against debtors, collaborating with multiple council departments.

Training is provided for ASC debt recovery where needed. The candidate should be organised, proactive and flexible, reporting to Senior Lawyers and supporting the team through dispute resolution, instructing Counsel, and using the council's

Qualifications

• Experience in debt recovery and knowledge of civil procedure rules.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple council departments and manage referrals.
• Proactive, well-organised and capable of handling a varied caseload.
• Willingness to work with internal and external applicants and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of debt recovery matters using the council's case management system.
• Represent the council in interim court applications.
• Instruct Counsel and costs draftsman when necessary.
• Engage in dispute resolution and explore mediation as appropriate.
• Take prompt action in debt recovery processes and pursue default or enforcement steps.
• Coordinate information requests and advise on merit of the case.

Skills

Debt recovery experience

Civil procedure rules knowledge

Case management experience

Instruct Counsel

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Job Description

Legal Assistant - Financial Litigation team

Salary range: SO1 - £37,692 - £39,276 p.a. incl. London weighting

Contract: Permanent

Hours of work: 36 hours per week

Location: Remote working 2 days a week (3 days attendance office attendance required) and other locations from time to time

This post is open to both internal and external applicants.

Please note that employees must have successfully completed their probationary period before applying for this vacancy

The Post

In our Financial Litigation team we are looking to recruit one Legal Assistant on a permanent basis. This will be a great experience for someone seeking to gain valuable experience to enhance an opportunity to pursue a career in the legal profession.

The Legal Assistant will manage a caseload of debt recovery matters working with a wide range of client departments within the council. This often requires instigation of county court proceedings against debtors so good knowledge of civil procedure rules will be ideal. Some knowledge of recovery of debts generally is required and ASC debt recovery will be of advantage but not essential as training in this area will be provided.

The Legal Assistant will need to:

• Consider and investigate matters referred to the legal team and allocated to the caseworker.
• Request and obtain further information and documentation from our various client departments, acknowledge referrals and advise on the merit of the case.
• Take prompt action in the debt recovery process.
• Engage in dispute resolution and explore alternative methods of settlement such as mediation.
• Instruct Counsel and costs draftsman when necessary.
• Manage a caseload of debt recovery matters, Adult social care, council tax arrears, housing benefit overpayment, and general, sundry debt recovery matters using the Council's case management system.
• Represent the council in interim court applications

The Person

We are looking for an organised, flexible, proactive and conscientious individual. The Legal Assistant, should demonstrate aptitude and the ability to quickly pick up a wide range of debt recovery cases. They will report to the Senior Lawyers in the team.

Closing Date: 1 October 2026 (23:50pm)

Additional Information

Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.

We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.

The information we collect from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas and your data protection rights, can be found here.

Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.

As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on [e-mail]