Housing Solicitor and/or Caseworker

Salary range: £24,720 – £39,140 (depending on experience)

Hours: 35hrs/week

Responsible to: Housing Supervisor(s)

Southern England Law Centre is a well-funded and growing Law Centre that provides specialist legal advice and representation for South and Southwest England. 

We are looking to expand our Legal Services: Housing Team. The successful candidate will need to be based in Gloucester at least 2/3 days per week, with flexible hybrid working being considered for the remainder of the working week.  

The Role

Key Responsibilities:  

  1. To undertake housing casework and litigation, in accordance with the requirements of the Legal Aid Agency and any other funders. 
  2. To represent defendants under the Housing Possession Court Duty scheme, where required.

Main Duties:  

  1. To undertake housing casework and litigation to a reasonable professional standard, demonstrating an ability to triage time-sensitive matters and achieve reasonable billable hours targets. 
  2. To represent defendants at the county courts and tribunals, where necessary, and particularly under the Housing Possession Court Duty scheme. 
  3. To assess client’s eligibility for services and public funding and make applications for legal aid, where appropriate. 
  4. To maintain timely, organised and appropriate records and files. 
  5. To attend and record appropriate training courses in order to maintain and develop professional expertise and to satisfy regulatory requirements. 
  6.  To type and use word-processing packages and be self-servicing and to use the LAA’s CCMS system competently, as well as the internal case management system. 
  7. To keep updated with changes in the law within relevant legal areas. 
  8. To maintain good relations with relevant third-party stakeholders and demonstrate an interest in developing the Law Centre. 
  9. To prepare suitably for and attend regular supervision meetings to discuss job performance and personal career development. 
  10. To undertake any other tasks as may be identified from time to time and which are generally compatible with the functions for the post and to support the efficient operation of the Law Centre. 
  11. To adhere to all Law Centre policies, including the Equality and Diversity Policy.  

Person Specification: 

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following skills, abilities and experience:  

Essential Requirements: 

  1. Ability to work independently and virtually, travelling as necessary to attend clients, meetings and trainings. 
  2. Experience of triaging and successfully working in a high-pressure environment and/or managing a busy caseload. 
  3. Commitment and ability to work within a team, communicating regularly with supervisors and colleagues. 
  4. Excellent IT skills and experience of working with a range of IT applications including Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook. 
  5. Demonstrable organisational skills. 
  6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to engage successfully with a diverse client base. 
  7. An interest in furthering the Strategic Plan of Southern England Law Centre and expanding our programming and a demonstrable commitment to working within an LAA contracted environment and not-for-profit legal advice sector. 
  8. An understanding of and commitment to client-focused service delivery and all Law Centre policies, including the Equality and Diversity Policy.

Desirable Requirements:  

  1. At least two years of experience in undertaking legal casework. 
  2. Knowledge and/or experience of housing law, benefits law, litigation and/or advocacy within a court or tribunal setting. 
  3. Experience of working to targets and of income generation. 
  4. Experience of working within an LAA contracted environment and/or experience of working in the not-for-profit legal advice sector. 

The Law Centre is committed to promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation.

In return, we offer the following benefits for our employees:

  • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Enhanced sickness pay (subject to length of service).
  • Enhanced employer pension contributions.
  • Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
  • Opportunity for hybrid working and flexibility.
  • Personal development and career progression opportunities.

For an application pack please email HR@selc.org.uk