Senior Lawyer (Private Sector Housing)

A fixed term contract of up to 12 months with a salary of £54,267 - £57,402 (plus Market Supplement of up to £7,000 for the right candidate).

oneSource is a fully integrated shared legal service advising Newham and Havering, two busy innovative and progressive Councils. The London Borough of Newham is seeking a dedicated Senior Enforcement Lawyer (Private Sector Housing) to help achieve their goals particularly under the Housing Act 2004 and the Renters Rights Act 2025.

You will provide legal expertise and advice to London Borough of Newham’s Private Sector Housing Department and the Homelessness Prevention Advice Service (HPAS). You will contribute to the delivery of high quality, solution-focused legal work for these clients in Newham.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Covering a range of Private Sector Housing Enforcement matters.
• Assistance with legal queries relating to law and procedure under the Housing Act 2004 and the Renters Rights Act 2025.
• Advice on evidence prior to the issue of civil penalties.
• Criminal regulatory prosecutions in the Magistrates and Crown Court.
• Appeals of civil penalties in the First Tier Property Tribunal.
• Complex debt recovery.

You should have a background in criminal regulatory matters ideally at a senior level, with excellent legal research skills including using online resources and applying this to practical situations. Good oral and written communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to draft concise written advice for clients and members, and briefs to counsel.

There is scope to attend and undertake your own hearings in the Magistrates Court and the First Tier Property Tribunal. You will also possess excellent organisational and leadership skills, an awareness and understanding of client needs, and excellent client care skills.

IMPORTANT: If you are an LBN member of staff applying for this role as a secondment, please note that secondments are subject to the agreement of your current employing service. Ensure that you inform your line manager of your intention to apply for the post in the first instance.

For further information, please visit www.newham.gov.uk/jobs. Please submit your C.V. with a covering letter outlining how you would be suitable for the role with due regard to the person specification attached to the job description.

Closing date: 27th September 2026 at 11.59.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.