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Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Housing Solicitor on behalf of Luton Borough Council.
Main purpose of position:
To assist the Senior Housing Solicitor with Housing law cases.
To provide of legal advice service to the Council, its Executive, its Committees and Sub-Committees and to Departments (including Senior officers and elected members)
To undertake civil and criminal litigation on behalf of the Council and to advise Client Departments on litigation related issues which takes into account Council's business needs and objectives under the direction of the Senior Housing Solicitor.
You will be responsible to:
- The post holder will hold their own case load of housing matter cases within the Litigation Dept. Ensuring effective case management, preparation of cases, and attending hearings with minimal supervision from the Senior Solicitor Housing, dealing with all stages of (social) housing legal cases and the issuing and defending of claims for rent arrears, anti-social behaviour injunctions, disrepair claims, possession proceedings, as well as some prosecutions relating to the council's stock of social housing.
- Appearing an advocate in the County Court and Magistrates' Court on behalf of the Council in relation to Housing cases
- Undertake County Court litigation in relation to the seeking of possession of houses let to Council tenants on the grounds of breaches of tenancy agreement or other grounds, in order to meet the needs of the Client Department and assist with the management of the Council's housing stock under instruction from the Client Department and Senior Housing Solicitor but will have a degree of autonomy in court.
- Undertake County Court litigation relating to the seeking of possession of houses let to Council tenants on the grounds of rent arrears, in order to meet the needs of the Client Department and to minimise rent arrears owing to the Council.
- Prepare and apply for Injunctions to prevent anti-social behaviour by Council tenants and others in appropriate cases, in order to meet the needs of the Client Department and to address problems caused by anti-social behaviour.
- Undertake the legal work necessary to remove unauthorised encampments set up by travellers or others, including the preparation of all necessary documentation and appearing in the Magistrates' Court to make the application, in order to minimise the adverse effects on the community caused by unauthorised encampments.
Skills and Experience
- Experience of civil and/or criminal litigation in the County Court and/or Magistrates' Court, including appearing in those courts
- Experience of presenting Public Sector housing law cases
- Ability to draft documents
- Ability to communicate at all levels clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. with Members, Directors and others
- Ability to carry a case load of matters with minimum supervision from the Senior Solicitor Housing
- Good analytical skills with the ability to quickly establish key issues and demonstrate an understanding of the client's business and service needs
- Able to demonstrate ability to plan, organise and prioritise own caseload within broad guidelines
- Competent ICT skills including basic keyboard skills, familiarity with word-processing packages, case management systems and simple databases or ability to acquire the same
- Working knowledge and understanding of the legislation and procedures relating to Housing Law, Civil Procedure Rules, Local Government Law and GDPR Applicants must be Admitted Solicitors, Barristers or Fellows of CILEX qualified in England and, in the case of solicitors, hold (or be able to obtain) a current practising certificate. At least 1 year PQE
About Us
Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.
Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.
We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
