Principal Lawyer Litigation and Housing

Kirklees Council; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28.5 days annual leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Travel and parking discounts

Life assurance

LGPS pension

Employee healthcare

Hybrid working

Professional fees paid

Training and development

Office environment

Job summary

Kirklees Council is seeking an enthusiastic, experienced Lawyer to take on a leadership role within our Litigation and Housing Team in Huddersfield. You will advise on housing policy, oversee housing-related litigation, and contribute to broader civil and public law cases within the team.

You will bring a qualified solicitor, barrister, or ILEx Fellow with a current practising certificate in England and Wales, plus strong leadership and mentoring skills to support junior colleagues and drive

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or ILEx Fellow with current practising certificate in England and Wales.
• Substantial civil litigation and public sector housing experience.
• Experience supervising or managing staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor junior lawyers within the Litigation and Housing Team.
• Advise on housing policy and housing-related litigation.
• Oversee civil and public law matters and other local government work.

Skills

Civil litigation

Public sector housing

Leadership

Mentoring

Judicial Review

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister or ILEx Fellow

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

£51,356 to £56,494 (Pay award pending)

Enhancements / additional payments details

Market Rate Supplement of £3000 pa

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

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.

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.

We encourage you to read our

Closing date

11 September 2026, 11:55 PM