Job Description

Job Category: Legal
:
Job Title: Housing Litigation Paralegal Disrepair
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: 32,545.96 (35,916.12 is achieved after 12 months successful performance in the role)
Working Hours: Full time 35 hours
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday/ Hybrid
Location: Liverpool
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
The difference you will make as a Housing Litigation Paralegal Disrepair
You will be part of and support the in-house Legal Team with disrepair claims, providing high quality, responsive and consistent legal support on disrepair matters from start to conclusion. This will include preparing disclosure and drafting initial response letters to third-party Solicitors, instructing experts and dealing with receipt of expert reports.
You will support our Housing Litigation Solicitors to handle litigated cases by drafting witness evidence, lists of documents, directions questionnaires and deal with receipt of Court Orders and updating the Legal Team's diaries with hearing dates.
About you
We are looking for someone with

• Degree from a recognised UK university or equivalent (or qualification gained from a non-UK university).
• Excellent database management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• High level of IT literacy and excellent research skills.
• Ability to build strong working relationships within TRGL and with external stakeholders and advisers.

Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we're a housing association with a difference - enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we've been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive pay & generous pension
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options available
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.
This role also falls under our Ethnic Diversity guaranteed interview scheme. If you are Ethnically Diverse and demonstrate you meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be guaranteed an interview.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Role Profile

• Provide high quality, responsive and consistent legal support on disrepair matters from start to conclusion. This will include: -

• Preparing disclosure and drafting initial response letters to third-party Solicitors.

• Instructing experts and dealing with receipt of expert reports.

• Supporting our Housing Litigation Solicitors to handle litigated cases by drafting witness evidence, lists of documents, directions questionnaires.

• Dealing with receipt of Court Orders and updating the Legal Team's diaries with hearing dates.

• Preparation of Court bundles.

• Instructing Counsel and drafting instructions/briefs.

• Liaising with the Court.

• Arranging case conferences.

• Updating our electronic case management system to ensure case information is up to date at all times.

• Work closely with other members of the Legal team and colleagues in the Disrepair team to help develop an efficient, cost-effective process using internal systems for handling claims and support with identifying and overcoming any issues with the process.

• Ability to handle a high volume of work with competing priorities/deadlines.

• Adhere to any applicable internal timescales/service standards.

• Ensure that use of the Legal case management system is maintained and optimised to deliver an excellent service to colleagues, including using templates.

• Attend meetings with the Housing Litigation team and Disrepair team to discuss disrepair matters as required.

• Assist with managing the Housing Litigation Team's SharePoint and intranet pages.

• Be an effective team player and contribute to the wider team, which may include providing support with matters other than disrepair work, as and when required.

• Be an excellent ambassador for the Legal team and support the business positively and constructively in achieving its corporate objectives.

• Work towards personal and team objectives and attend training opportunities, as required.

• Adhere to the business' policies and procedures.

Person specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential

• Degree from a recognised UK university or equivalent (or qualification gained from a non-UK university).
• Excellent database management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• High level of IT literacy and excellent research skills.
• Ability to build strong working relationships within TRGL and with external stakeholders and advisers.

• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities.
• Outcome focussed with strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyse, sort and summarise information.
• Ability to work independently, using own initiative, taking ownership for decision-making and proposing solutions to issues identified.
• Demonstrates high level of motivation, resilience, and commitment to provide a high performing service.
• Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements.
• Customer focussed and ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders alike in an honest and transparent manner to inspire confidence, trust, and respect.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the workplace and in the delivery of legal services.

Desirable

• Law Degree, Graduate Diploma in Law or Legal Practice Course (or other relevant housing law experience).
• Knowledge and experience of compliance with the pre-action protocol for housing conditions claims.
• Minimum of 12 months' experience of working on housing disrepair cases either on the Claimant or Defendant side.
• An interest in social housing.
• Knowledge of the relevant statutory, regulatory and common law applicable to the housing management functions of a social landlord.
• Awareness and/or experience of compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Experience of working successfully in a complex organisation, ideally in or for a housing association of local authority, or for tenants in private practice.
• Commitment to continual professional and personal development within the TRGL Legal Team on a long-term basis, with the possibility of an in-house training contract for the right candidate over time.

About Us:
Riverside is one of the UK's leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisations, owning or managing around 75,000 homes from Irvine to Kent. We are a leading provider of supported housing services, particularly for those affected by homelessness, and our track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods dates back over 90 years. We have plans to build over 15,000 affordable homes over the next decade.