Principal Lawyer Litigation and Housing

Kirklees Council; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28.5 days annual leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Travel and parking discounts

Local Government Pension

Life assurance from day one

Employee Healthcare access

Flexible and hybrid working

Modern office environment

Supervision and mentoring

Job summary

Kirklees is seeking an enthusiastic Lawyer to take a leadership role in the Litigation and Housing Team. The role focuses on housing law in the public sector, with scope to contribute to civil and commercial litigation, public law and education matters within local government.

You will join a team of qualified lawyers and paralegals, supported by a dedicated Business Support Team, with a strong emphasis on training and development to progress into senior legal management.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in civil litigation and public sector housing practice.
• Leadership experience or aptitude for supervising staff.
• Experience gained in England and Wales jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Lead within the Litigation and Housing Team.
• Supervise and mentor less-senior colleagues.
• Manage a personal caseload and contribute to a wider range of civil and public law matters.

Skills

Civil litigation

Public sector housing

Commercial Litigation

Property Litigation

Local Government Law

Education Law

Employment Law

Judicial Review

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister or 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

£53,051 to £58,258

The Role

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

We are particularly seeking someone with experience in public sector, housing law, including advising on housing policy and procedures as well as conducting or overseeing housing‑related litigation. There will be scope to develop skills in the other areas covered by the team which include general civil and commercial litigation, public law, education, employment, and wider local government matters.

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

• 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.

We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities.

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

01 November 2026, 11:55 PM