Principal Lawyer Litigation and Housing

Kirklees Council; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 28.5 days

Cycle to Work

Travel and parking discounts

Life assurance from day one

LG Pension

Flexible and hybrid working

Modern office environment

Professional development

Payment of professional fees

Carer support and maternity/paternity

Job summary

Kirklees Council is recruiting a qualified Solicitor or Barrister to lead the Litigation and Housing Team in Huddersfield. The role offers a permanent contract, 37 hours, with a salary of £56,051 to £61,358 per year and a Market Rate Supplement of £3,000.

You will manage a personal caseload, supervise and mentor colleagues, and drive civil litigation and housing matters in England and Wales. We support flexible and hybrid working, ongoing professional development, and a comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor/barrister with current practising certificate in England and Wales.
• Substantial experience in civil litigation and public sector housing practice.
• Desirable experience in: Property, Employment, Education, Judicial Review.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and mentor less-senior colleagues.
• Manage a personal caseload.
• Provide strategic direction for the Litigation and Housing Team.
• Ensure governance and high professional standards.

Skills

Civil Litigation

Public Sector Housing

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

Job description

We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.

Organisation

Kirklees

Directorate

Public Health and Corporate Resources

Service Area

Governance & Commissioning

Hours

37

Number of Jobs

1

Location(s)

Huddersfield and surrounding areas

Position type

Permanent

Grade

Grade 14 - 15

Salary

£56,051 to £61,358*

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking Lawyer to take on a leadership role within our Litigation and Housing Team.

The Team

You will join a team of experienced Lawyers, Legal Officers, and Paralegals supported by a dedicated Business Support Team.

Development and Progression

We place a strong emphasis on training and personal development and will support you to be the best you can be. This role is an excellent springboard into senior legal management.

What You Will Bring

You will be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives with a current practising certificate in England and Wales.

You will be creative, energetic and well‑organised, able to manage a personal caseload, and confident in leading, supervising and mentoring less‑senior colleagues.

Experience Required

You will have substantial experience in civil litigation and public sector housing practice, plus desirable experience in any of the following:

• Commercial Litigation
• Property Litigation
• Local Government Law
• Education Law
• Employment Law
• Judicial Review

Your experience will have been gained within the jurisdiction of England and Wales.

Experience of supervising or managing staff — or the aptitude to do so — is also required.

Your Benefits

Kirklees Council offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 28.5 days annual leave, rising to 32.5 after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Travel and parking discounts
• Employee‑friendly policies, including carer support and exceptional maternity and paternity leave
• Local Government Pension — an exceptionally attractive defined benefit scheme
• Life assurance from day one
• Access to Employee Healthcare services (counselling, physiotherapy, health assessments)
• Flexible and hybrid working supported by modern IT systems
• Modern, spacious office environment
• High‑quality supervision and management support
• A professional culture of proactive advice and collaboration
• Payment of professional fees
• A strong commitment to ongoing development, mentoring and training — all managers in Legal Services are experienced, highly regarded lawyers committed to your growth and advancement.
• Please note: the salary stated in this role includes a £3000 Market Rate Supplement, reviewed annually.

John Chapman is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.

We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email:or phone: [phone] and ask for ‘Recruitment’.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Closing date

27 December 2026, 11:55 PM