Leeds city Council Legal Services is looking to recruit a full time permanent Principal Legal Officers (PO4) to practice primarily in the area of Housing Condition/Disrepair Claims.

The section solely covers the defending of Housing Condition/Disrepair claims against the Council but it would be desirable if a candidate also had a broader experience of Housing Law.
The successful candidate will be a Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or FCILEx who will work in a lively and busy team.

It is essential that the successful candidate has experience of dealing with issued Housing Disrepair matters, good interpersonal skills, is able to prioritise their own workload, act as an advocate in contested hearings and work to tight court deadlines. They must be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.

The post attracts local authority benefits including: access to West Yorkshire Pension Scheme; generous annual leave entitlement; training and development; flexible working, including working from home as well as Civic Hall in the Centre of Leeds.

Our council values are at the heart of everything we do:-

• Being open, honest and trusted – being your best
• Treating people fairly – feeling like you count
• Spending money wisely – making every pound go further
• Working as a team for Leeds – being part of a team with a “can do” attitude
• Working with people, engaging all communities – being proud to make a difference

Leeds City Council is an award winning and progressive authority, which works closely with local communities and businesses. At its core is the overall vision to be the Best City, to tackle poverty and inequality and improve quality of life for everyone who calls Leeds home.

Having a workforce that reflects the people of Leeds is important. We value diversity and fair treatment of employees and applicants.

Our Legal Services department reflects the diversity of Leeds, and is a welcoming and inclusive team, with a positive, healthy workplace culture where everyone can be themselves. Our Lexcel accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing a quality legal service.

Contact Rosemary Keczkes (Team Manager) on tel:0113 5350984 or via email at Rosemary.Keczkes@leeds.gov.uk or in her absence Paul Simpson on tel: 0113 3367963 paul.simpson3@leeds.gov.uk for an informal discussion about this post.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. 

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: The section covers the following areas of work: Housing Disrepair/Condition. The postholder will provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Best City Ambitions.  The post holder would be expected to deal with advice and contested hearings, with more complex advice and advocacy being dealt with by higher graded officers. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Housing Disrepair/Condition. The post holder will be expected to have this area of work as a focus but also to provide support on other areas of law as required, and any other local government legal matters and /or matters dealt with by Legal Services.
• Contribute directly to the generation of external income and work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
• Undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal matters in one or more areas as set out above
• Draft and issue court and other documentation as necessary including instructions to counsel.
• Conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court and provide advice/updates as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies
• Attend court/tribunals/inquiries/appeals with counsel as instructing representative if required
• Undertake advocacy on cases where appropriate including contested hearings.
• To draft legal documentation, agreements and advice.
• Work flexibly to support other staff across the Service and as part of a team to cover court, tribunal/inquiries/appeals commitments and other work as required.
• Provide advice to clients both orally and in writing.

• To provide and develop high quality legal services for clients

• Maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of clients and advise them as appropriate.
• Prepare and deliver training for clients and colleagues with regard to law and practice relating to their functions and work.
• Contribute directly to the generation of external income.
• Meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate, the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competence framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations.
• Undertake work for other authorities under partnership and/or other arrangements
• Attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council as required
• Carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as required commensurate with the grade
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.