Principal litigation Lawyer

CRA Legal; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life assurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Travel and parking discounts

Professional fees paid

Excellent training and development

Job summary

Kirklees Council is recruiting an experienced Litigation & Housing Lawyer to join its Legal Services team in Huddersfield. The role focuses on housing and civil litigation, with leadership responsibilities and opportunities for career progression.

The successful candidate will advise on housing policies, manage a caseload, and supervise junior colleagues within a supportive local authority legal team. Hybrid working is available.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in civil litigation.
• Strong experience in housing law, particularly within the public sector.
• Experience conducting or overseeing housing-related litigation.
• Experience advising on housing policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage your own caseload effectively.
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior colleagues, or the aptitude to do so.
• Local authority or wider public sector experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and manage a caseload across housing and litigation matters.
• Lead, supervise and mentor less senior colleagues.
• Advise on housing policies and procedures.
• Develop experience across a wider range of local authority legal work.

Skills

Civil litigation

Housing law

Public sector experience

Leadership

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/CILEX

Job description

Litigation & Housing Lawyer

£53,000 - £59,000 per annum

Permanent | Huddersfield | Hybrid Working

CRA Consulting are working with Kirklees Council, a leading local authority in West Yorkshire, to recruit an experienced Litigation & Housing Lawyer to join their established Legal Services team. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified lawyer with strong experience in civil litigation and public sector housing law to take on a role with leadership responsibilities and excellent opportunities for career development.

The Role

You will join the Council's Litigation and Housing Team, working alongside experienced Lawyers, Legal Officers and Paralegals. Your role will focus on providing legal advice and managing a caseload across housing and litigation matters, including advising on housing policies and procedures and conducting or overseeing housing-related litigation. You will also have the opportunity to develop your experience across a wider range of local authority legal work, including:

• General civil and commercial litigation
• Property litigation
• Local government law
• Education law
• Employment law
• Public law and judicial review

The role will also involve leading, supervising and mentoring less senior colleagues, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to progress towards senior legal management.

About You

We are looking for a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX Lawyer with a current practising certificate in England and Wales. You will ideally have:

• Substantial experience in civil litigation
• Strong experience in housing law, particularly within the public sector
• Experience conducting or overseeing housing-related litigation
• Experience advising on housing policies and procedures
• The ability to manage your own caseload effectively
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior colleagues, or the aptitude to do so
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills

Previous local authority or wider public sector experience would be highly desirable.

What’s on Offer?

• £53,000 - £59,000 per annum
• Permanent position
• Hybrid and flexible working
• 28.5 days annual leave, increasing to 32.5 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Life assurance from day one
• Professional fees paid
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Travel and parking discounts
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Strong progression opportunities into senior legal management
• Supportive and collaborative Legal Services environment

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Housing or Litigation Lawyer looking to develop their career within a progressive local authority legal team.