Principal Lawyer - Litigation & Housing

CES; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life cover from day one

28.5 days' annual leave (33.5 after 5 

Bank holidays

Employee healthcare benefits

Clear career progression

Job summary

CES in Huddersfield is seeking an experienced Principal Lawyer to lead our public‑sector housing and civil litigation team. This permanent role offers hybrid working, with some days in the Huddersfield town centre office and the remainder from home, plus opportunities to mentor junior lawyers and shape complex caseloads.

You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEx Fellow with a current practising certificate in England and Wales, and bring substantial civil litigation and housing

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or CILEx Fellow with current practising certificate in England and Wales.
• Extensive civil litigation and public-sector housing experience.
• Ability to lead, supervise and develop junior lawyers.
• Strong drafting, advocacy and case management skills.
• Flexibility to handle a broad range of legal matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the litigation and housing team, delivering high‑quality advice.
• Advise on public‑sector housing law, policies and procedures.
• Oversee housing and civil litigation matters.
• Provide cross‑practice advice in commercial, property, public law, education and employment.
• Support junior lawyers and collaborate with legal officers and business support colleagues.
• Offer guidance on judicial review and local government matters.

Skills

Civil litigation

Housing law

Leadership

Team supervision

Analytical skills

Advocacy

Education

Solicitor

Barrister

CILEx Fellow

Job description

Take the lead in complex litigation and housing law

We are recruiting an experienced Principal Lawyer to join an established public-sector legal team, specialising in housing and litigation.

This permanent opportunity would suit a senior legal professional with strong civil litigation and public-sector housing experience who is looking to take on a leadership role while working across a varied and challenging caseload.

The role offers hybrid working, with a small number of days each month in the Huddersfield town centre office and the remainder worked remotely.

The Role

You will play a key role in leading and supporting the litigation and housing team, providing high-quality legal advice and managing complex matters.

Your responsibilities will include:

Advising on public-sector housing law, policies and procedures.

Conducting and overseeing housing litigation.

Managing civil litigation matters and contributing to wider legal casework.

Providing advice across areas such as commercial litigation, property litigation, public law, education and employment.

Advising on judicial review and other local government legal matters where required.

Supporting, supervising and developing junior lawyers and legal colleagues.

Working collaboratively with lawyers, legal officers, paralegals and business support colleagues.

About You

You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), holding a current practising certificate in England and Wales.

You will also have:

Substantial experience in civil litigation and public-sector housing practice.

Strong analytical, drafting, advocacy and case management skills.

The ability to manage complex legal matters and deliver practical, commercially aware advice.

Experience of leading or supervising junior colleagues, or the aptitude and willingness to develop these skills.

The flexibility to work across a broad range of legal matters and collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.

Experience in commercial litigation, property litigation, local government law, education, employment or judicial review would be advantageous.

Previous local government experience is beneficial but not essential.

Applications are welcomed from lawyers returning after a career break and candidates seeking part-time or job-share arrangements.

Local Government Pension Scheme, including life cover from day one.

28.5 days' annual leave, increasing to 33.5 days after five years' service, plus bank holidays.

Payment of practising certificate fees.

Hybrid working arrangements, with the majority of work undertaken remotely.

Enhanced family leave.

Employee healthcare benefits.

Clear opportunities for career progression through the legal grades.