Job Description

Job Category: Legal
:
Job Title: Housing Litigation Solicitor
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: 47,931.84 per annum (52,920.80 is achieved after 12 months successful performance in the role)
Working Hours: Full Time - 35 Hours
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
Location: Speke, 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 an Housing Litigation Solicitor
You will be part of and support the in-house Legal Team with the provision of high quality, well-judged and informed legal advice to the operational business in relation to its housing management functions and housing litigation.
To ensure that all casework is well managed and dealt with in an efficient and cost-effective manner, ensure that the business' regulatory, legislative and common law obligations are met. To raise awareness of developments within the sector, identify risk and provide training as required to the business, be an effective business partner to key internal stakeholders within the business who require support and advice in respect of their housing management operations and housing litigation.
This role is specific to supporting our Care and Support Team, however, subject to business need there may be a requirement to assist with other business areas and conduct work not set out under 'accountabilities' below, such as disrepair, building safety, compensation requests and complaints
About you
We are looking for someone who:

• Degree from a recognised UK university or equivalent (or qualification gained from a non-UK university).
• Professional legal qualification as recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or equivalent body.
• Strong technical experience in dealing with a wide range of non-contentious housing management matters and contentious landlord and tenant matters (including tenancy management issues, anti-social behaviour, possession, Injunctions and contempt of Court applications), either on the Claimant or Defendant side.
• Experience of successfully managing a large caseload successfully, achieving excellent outcomes.

Why Riverside?
One Housing is part of 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
Legal Advice

• Conduct contentious casework to provide high quality, responsive and consistent legal advice on housing management matters, disputes, and housing litigation across the business, including but not limited to:
• Anti-Social Behaviour cases
• Possession proceedings (unauthorised subletting/tenancy fraud/unauthorised occupiers/trespass/abandonment/licence breaches)
• Injunctions
• Contempt of Court applications
• Provision of high-quality legal advice on non-contentious housing matters including but not limited to assignment, succession, mutual exchange, service charges, persons left in occupation, Equality Act 2010.
• Manage a caseload of contentious and non-contentious matters with a view to ensuring sensible outcomes for the business.
• Attend and represent the business at Court as required.

Role in the team

• Support the Housing Litigation Team to reduce spend on external legal advice by carefully managing external instructions.
• Support the Housing Litigation Team with identifying and delivering training for the wider business to upskill colleagues and promote a knowledgeable workforce.
• Support the Housing Litigation Team with the improvement of systems and processes used within the Legal Team and the wider business to deliver a value-for-money service.
• Support the Senior Housing Litigation Team with maintaining their case management system and any other databases used for auditing purposes.
• Support the Legal Team to ensure that risks to the business are appropriately managed. Ask the right questions at the right time, appropriately challenging the business where required.
• Work in partnership with other teams within the business and attend business partner meetings with the Housing Litigation Team's key internal stakeholders. Assist the Housing Litigation Team to maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders across the business.
• Be an excellent ambassador for the team and support the business positively and constructively in achieving its corporate objectives.
• Adhere to the business' policies and procedures.
• Assist in applying robust reporting processes and help the Senior Housing Litigation Solicitor develop good quality management information to demonstrate the impact of the Legal Team.

Learning and development

• Develop knowledge of new areas of law if required, in order to support the Housing Litigation Team in delivering high-quality legal advice.
• Work towards personal and team objectives and attend training opportunities, as required.

Person specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential

• Degree from a recognised UK university or equivalent (or qualification gained from a non-UK university).
• Professional legal qualification as recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or equivalent body.
• Strong technical experience in dealing with a wide range of non-contentious housing management matters and contentious landlord and tenant matters (including tenancy management issues, anti-social behaviour, possession, Injunctions and contempt of Court applications), either on the Claimant or Defendant side.
• Experience of successfully managing a large caseload successfully, achieving excellent outcomes.
• Knowledge of the pre-action protocols and Civil Procedure Rules.
• Knowledge of the relevant statutory, regulatory and common law applicable to the housing management functions of a social landlord, and the provision of regulated social and affordable housing.
• Practical awareness and/or experience of the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Can demonstrate having worked successfully in a complex organisation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and confident in advocacy.
• Excellent database management skills and experience of using a case management system.
• High level of IT literacy and excellent research skills.
• Ability to build strong working relationships within TRGL, the wider Group 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.
• Ability to take ownership for workload.
• Can demonstrate a high level of motivation, resilience, and commitment to provide a high performing service.
• Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements.
• Commercially aware with a strong focus on continuous improvement, risk management and good governance.
• Customer focussed and ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders alike in an honest and transparent manner to inspire confidence, trust, and respect.
• Ability to influence and inspire others to work innovatively and proactively.
• Can demonstrate a commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the workplace and in the delivery of legal services.
• Commitment to continual professional and personal development within the TRGL Legal Team on a long-term basis.

Desirable

• Experience of working in the social housing sector, ideally in or for a housing association or local authority, or for tenants in private practice.

Additional Information

• This is a hybrid role with remote working but the expectation to attend head office in Speke, Liverpool and/or any other TRGL offices, in accordance with the demands of the business.
• The Group has offices across the UK and on this basis, they may be the rare occasion that the role holder travels to other locations to effectively perform this role.
• The role will be exposed to sensitive information; therefore, the role holder is expected to maintain levels of confidentiality at all times.
• To fulfil the requirements of this role, you will be required to work flexibly during the hours of operation.
• The role holder is expected to be committed to equal opportunities and to promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.

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.