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Role Purpose

We are seeking a skilled Legal Housing Officer to provide support to solicitors and legal advice and assistance to various sections and teams within Housing Services in matters where it both intends to instruct the Law and Governance Division and otherwise, or has already instructed it.

Your new role

• Assisting solicitors in the day-to-day management of individual cases, taking much of the initiative and responsibility for cases involving notices to quit, notices to extend introductory tenancies and abatement notices, carrying out file reviews as required and deputising for the solicitor with responsibility for a matter when necessary.
• Providing legal advice to Housing and other Council staff on any legal issues relating to housing issues, tenancy enforcement and/or proposed or current possession proceedings based on breach of tenancy (including neighbour nuisance and anti-social behaviour) and/or injunction orders and/or committal applications and/or closure orders and/or removal orders and legal issues arising thereupon based on several pieces of legislation.
• In company with Solicitors or acting independently, attending multi agency or other meetings to provide legal input, clarify the law and guide Housing staff and external agencies and partners on available options.
• Assisting solicitors with the creation and drafting of policies and procedures relating to housing issues, explaining their applicability and relevance to cases having been referred to or under consideration for referral to the legal team and providing guidance for colleagues in the housing team.
• Checking referrals and evidence provided for legal action from various sections and teams in Housing Services , advising therein and helping ready that referral for legal action.
• Drafting various types of notices, claim forms, particulars of claim, applications to court, gas warrants and directions to leave.
• Interviewing members of the public, technical staff from various sections and teams within Housing Services, staff from a wide range of external partner agencies, often to source evidence directly from them, in order to prepare witness statements and affidavits.
• Clarifying and explaining the legal process to and supporting complainants and witness in difficult circumstances.
• Liaising and corresponding with Housing staff, partner agencies and technical officers.
• Assisting in the preparation of trial indexes and bundles of documents for High Court, County Court and Magistrates Court.
• Assisting in all aspects of the preparation of cases for the purposes of providing legal advice to Housing Services, seeking
• Attending at County Court, High Court and Magistrates/Youth Court hearings with Counsel.
• Drafting and sending out correspondence on the LHOs own initiative; drafting, checking and advising on correspondence for housing colleagues and otherwise.
• Participating in recruitment/selection and assisting in the training of new recruits.
• Dealing with correspondence and telephone queries in relation to individual cases.
• Paying for Public Trustee fees on a purchase card up to an agreed limit.
• Carrying out such duties as may from time to time be assigned to the postholder having regard to the grade and scale of the post and the experience and qualifications of the postholder.
• To be accountable for and promote equal opportunity, diversity and community cohesion to meet Council, Directorate and Service objectives. All employees have a responsibility not only for their own behaviour, but also for others regarding equality of opportunity. Any incident must be reported.
• To participate in a Performance Review and Development meeting and undertake a plan of training where necessary. Develop his/her own skills and expertise in a professional manner.
• In addition to all the responsibilities listed above, all employees must be flexible in their approach and undertake other duties that are commensurate with post holder’s level, wherever they may be, to achieve the objectives of the Directorate.
• To represent the Council and Directorate in a professional manner meeting the Corporate and Directorate aims. To comply with Directorate and Corporate policies.
• If appropriate to be responsible for the recruitment and performance management of designated teams and individuals in accordance with Corporate and Directorate aims and management style.
• To comply with the council’s financial regulation and standing orders.
• To actively promote Dudley’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults at a level appropriate to this role and setting.
• Employees must comply with health and safety legislation and will be required to comply with the Council’s Health and Safety Policies. All employees must ensure that they take reasonable care of their own health and safety as well as the health and safety of any person that is affected by their actions.
• To be responsible for adhering to legislative requirements and Council Policies and Procedures including, but not exclusively health & safety, Data Protection and Internet/Email use.

What you will need to succeed

A Law Degree or equivalent experience.
Experience in attending County Court, High Court and Magistrates/Youth Court hearings with Counsel.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' or call us on 020 7096 2981 for further details.