Housing Conditions Claims Principal Lawyer
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
Reporting directly to the Head of Legal, the Principal Lawyer for Housing Conditions Claims will lead on delivering proactive, high-quality legal advice and making decisions on complex and contentious casework within the housing conditions claims portfolio.
The post holder will have overall responsibility for managing Lawyers, Advocates, Legal Assistants, and other relevant staff. This includes ensuring the quality and allocation of work, providing guidance, and fostering the professional development of legal staff across the practice.
In addition, the role will involve providing authoritative research and expert advice on legal issues and policy matters, shaping and influencing the legal practice in alignment with the Council’s overarching priorities.
The post holder will be responsible for the strategic management of housing conditions claims and work directly with the Council’s housing department and their repairs partner.
Special requirements for this post
You will be qualified solicitor, barrister, or chartered legal executive.
About you
Legal Advice & Representation
- Provide professional, timely, and comprehensive advice on housing conditions claims, and risk management to senior members and council officers.
- Deliver expert legal and governance advice to committees, panels, working groups, and other meetings as required.
- Undertake advocacy and casework services for the Council, including representation at hearings and tribunals.
- Prepare and process complex legal documents
Casework & Project Management
- Coordinate and manage complex legal projects and casework, including advice, advocacy, and litigation in housing conditions claims
- Contribute to multi-disciplinary, cross-departmental, and cross-organisational groups and task teams.
- Devise new forms, procedures, and precedents in response to changes in law, policy, or Council initiatives.
Governance & Compliance
- Advise on governance issues and attend committee meetings as required.
- Ensure compliance with data breach reporting requirements within designated areas.
Leadership & Management
- Manage and develop lawyers, advocates, legal assistants, and other staff within areas of responsibility.
- Oversee recruitment processes and ensure effective performance management and time recording.
- Practicing and managing a team to deliver Housing Condition Claims defence work
- Working strategically with DMT
Policy & Knowledge Development
- Keep up to date with legal and policy developments in housing conditions claims Undertake legal research and cascade knowledge across the team.
- Incorporate the Council’s commitment to equality and diversity into all aspects of work.
Business Planning
- Prepare and deliver business plans and proposals within areas of responsibility.
- Negotiate, agree, and manage budgets and resources to maintain a high-quality legal practice.
Additional Duties
- Respond to enquiries from councillors, members of the public, and statutory agencies. • Undertake other tasks and duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the post as directed.
About us
As an LBBD employee you’ll have access to high street savings, supermarkets, cashback incentives travel and holiday discounts; discounts at restaurants and cinemas; local, national, and seasonal offers; and a wide range of better-than-public deals through our Wider Wallet scheme.
You’ll also have access to an Employee Assistance Programme; this offers a little extra support to manage life’s everyday challenges; both work and personal. The EAP is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provides free, impartial, confidential information and support to help you gain a better work-life balance.
Flexible working
The role is open to flexible working unless there is a practical or operational reason that you must work set hours and times, you would need to discuss this with your manager before anything is agreed.
Other key benefits include: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) As a member of the LGPS you will get a pension paid to you when you retire as well as being entitled to other benefits such as life insurance cover, a pension for your family if you die whilst employed by the council, payments if you have to retire due to ill-health.
Diversity and Inclusivity To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services we deliver. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds including from the LGBTQ+ community, genders, ages, disabilities, faiths/beliefs and candidates from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds.