Lawyer - Housing Litigation

At Connect2Hackney, we are seeking an experienced and dedicated Housing Litigation Lawyer to join the progressive, agile Legal & Governance team at the London Borough of Hackney.

In this role, you will manage a varied caseload of routine, non-routine, and complex housing legal matters with minimal supervision. Serving as a trusted specialist, you will advise Council client departments and conduct advocacy to protect housing stock, manage tenant disputes, and safeguard the interests of a diverse inner-city community.

Key Responsibilities

• Caseload Management: Conduct a demanding caseload of housing litigation, including possession proceedings, disrepair claims, injunctions, anti-social behaviour matters, and homelessness appeals.
• Advocacy & Court Representation: Undertake advocacy on behalf of the Council in the County Court, tribunals, and other legal proceedings as required.
• Legal Advice & Strategy: Deliver clear, timely, and practical legal advice to housing officers, tenancy managers, and Council leadership on housing law and local government functions.
• Drafting & Documentation: Draft complex legal pleadings, witness statements, court applications, and formal legal notices.
• Compliance & Case Management: Maintain files to Lexcel standards, adhere to SRA/CILEX/Bar rules, and meet time-recording requirements (minimum 1,200 chargeable hours per annum) via the legal management system.
• Collaborative Support: Work closely with internal clients, external solicitors, counsel, and emergency services to provide a holistic, customer-focused approach.

About You

To succeed in this post, you will be a skilled litigator with strong advocacy experience and a deep understanding of public sector housing law.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Qualified Legal Professional: Solicitor or Barrister qualified in England and Wales, or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
• Housing Litigation Expertise: Proven experience handling complex housing law matters (possession, disrepair, anti-social behaviour, breach of lease, and judicial review).
• Advocacy Experience: Hands-on experience representing clients in court proceedings and dispute resolution.
• Local Government Insight: A thorough understanding of local authority functions and the housing challenges affecting a vibrant, multi-cultural inner-London borough.
• Case Management Systems: Experience using digital case management tools to record time and manage files efficiently.

Skills & Attributes:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex litigation strategy to non-legal officers.
• Robust negotiation, influencing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently under tight court deadlines while remaining a collaborative team player.
• Active commitment to supporting Hackney's Equality & Diversity policies.

Why Join Hackney?

The London Borough of Hackney offers a supportive environment where your litigation work directly impacts local housing quality and resident wellbeing. You will benefit from flexible working options, continuous legal training, and the opportunity to work alongside a highly respected legal team.

How to Apply

Ready to bring your housing litigation expertise to Hackney?

Apply directly through Connect2Hackney today with your updated CV and a brief supporting statement outlining your housing litigation experience.

Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.