Legal Counsel

Sovereign Housing Association Limited; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing association is seeking a qualified Legal Counsel to join their in-house Legal Team in Basingstoke. This hybrid role involves managing legal risks associated with housing disrepair claims, leading a team, and providing legal advice across the organization. The ideal candidate will possess a current practising certificate and experience in Housing Law. Benefits include generous holiday, a matched pension scheme, and wellbeing support.

Benefits

25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

Flexible benefits package

Generous matched pension scheme

Enhanced maternity/adoption pay

Private medical insurance options

Gym Memberships discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in Housing Law, Civil Litigation, or Disrepair work.
• Proven ability to manage a varied caseload independently.
• Experience supervising others and/or leading a small team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of advisors handling housing disrepair cases.
• Handle housing disrepair matters, including court cases and settlement talks.
• Represent the organisation in County Court when needed.

Skills

Excellent drafting, communication, and negotiation skills

Strong organisational and case management skills

Ability to balance legal risks with practical solutions

Education

Qualified Solicitor with a current practising certificate

Job description

SNG (Sovereign Network Group) is one of the largest housing associations in England. We provide over 85,000 homes and invest in communities across the South, West and East of England, including London, as well as building thousands of new affordable homes every year.

We're now seeking a skilled Legal Counsel to join our in‑house Legal Team in Basingstoke. This is a hybrid working role with 2 days per week in the office.

The Role

This key role helps us deliver quality homes for our customers while managing legal risk and ensuring effective resolution of disrepair claims.

You’ll lead a team working closely with colleagues across the organisation from Property Services to the Resolutions team to provide timely legal advice, handle pre‑action and court disrepair claims, and help develop our approach to claims handling and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Case Management

• Handle housing disrepair matters, including pre‑action protocol claims, court cases, counterclaims, and settlement talks.
• Draft and review legal documents, witness statements, disclosure documents, expert instructions, and settlement agreements.
• Represent the organisation in County Court when needed, including at directions hearings, mediations, and settlement discussions.
• Work with external solicitors, counsel, and insurers when required.

Leadership & Internal Cooperation

• Lead a small team of advisors handling housing disrepair cases.
• Work with Property Services teams to ensure timely instructions, accurate reports, and effective case resolutions.
• Help develop and improve internal policies, procedures and training.

About You

• You're a qualified Solicitor with a current practising certificate
• Experience in Housing Law, Civil Litigation, or Disrepair work, with strong knowledge of Landlord and Tenant Law
• Excellent drafting, communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to balance legal risks with practical solutions
• Strong organisational and case management skills
• Experience supervising others and/or leading a small team
• Proven ability to manage a varied caseload independently
• Excellent communication, organisation and planning skills

Why Join Us?

At SNG, you'll be part of a purpose‑driven organisation that values fairness, inclusion, and supporting the wellbeing and development of our people.

Great benefits including:

• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• Option to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package
• 3 extra paid Wellbeing days and 2 paid volunteering days
• Generous matched pension scheme up to 12% and Life cover at 4x salary
• Enhanced maternity/adoption pay
• Enhanced paternity pay - 6 weeks full pay (after 26 weeks' service)
• Options for private medical insurance, dental insurance and critical illness cover
• Wellbeing discounts, including Gym Memberships and access to a 24/7 virtual GP service

If this sounds like the opportunity you're looking for, we'd love to hear from you