Senior Paralegal

Position: Permanent, full time 37hrs per week
Location: Birmingham/Hybrid – minimum two days a week

We are brave, we are ambitious, we are honest, and we are Citizen!

Our Assurance Team within disrepair litigation plays a key role in ensuring Citizen effectively manages disrepair litigation claims across the organisation as a whole.

As a Senior Paralegal you will be responsible for specifically dealing with housing disrepair claims under the Housing Pre Action-Protocol.

This is a fantastic and new opportunity to show your skills and knowledge within the setting of a thriving and growing housing association.

As this is a completely new role, you can make a real contribution. The role of the Senior Paralegal will involve the following:

• Detailed analysis of individual housing disrepair claims under the Housing Pre Action-Protocol.
• Act as litigation paralegal expert on behalf of Citizen Housing.
• Manage Housing Disrepair files from start to finish.
• Work in collaboration with Citizens inhouse Disrepair Assurance Team giving expert advice where necessary.
• Work in conjunction with Citizens partners, external solicitors and key stakeholders.
• Attend Court and actively defend legal claims on behalf of Citizen.
• Providing advice on general residential landlord and tenant legal issues in writing and by telephone.
• Attending and representing Citizen at County Court and Magistrates hearings.
• Drafting court proceedings, witness statements and affidavits.
• Providing support, advice and guidance to the wider team and Junior paralegal.

As a Senior Paralegal we need you to have:

• A minimum of 3-5 years' experience in handling housing disrepair cases.
• Strong and significant knowledge of the housing disrepair protocol and be comfortable with housing disrepair litigation.
• Significant experience in dealing with housing disrepair matters. Have a full understanding of the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Disrepair Cases Have a full understanding of S.11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 4 of the Defective Premises Act 1972, The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, common law nuisance and negligence.
• Managing defended and undefended litigation in areas for housing disrepair.
• Progressing and managing cases that proceed to trial by complying with Court directions such as disclosure and instructing Counsel.
• Negotiating settlements with opposing parties.

We would be really excited if you have:

• Ideally, you will be a chartered legal executive or equivalent or working towards this.
• Commercial experience in dealing with settlements.
• Experience of working alongside other litigation clients who are assisting Citizen with legal cases.
• Experience of provide training support as and when required to staff within the disrepair team.

We will be an employer of choice and invest in our people

We will work together as one team and embrace our Citizen values

We will attract and retain the best and brightest professionals, support them to achieve their potential, and reward and recognise them for the fantastic work they do.

Competitive benefits – find more details here: Citizen Benefits

With over fifty years of experience, we have grown to be one of the UK's most trusted social housing providers, Citizen owns and manages 30,000 homes for diverse communities across the West Midlands, from urban tower blocks to rural villages and towns.

Find out more about the work we do here: Citizen

Closing date: Thursday 20th February 2025

Interview date: week commencing 24th February, to be confirmed based on availability

Please note we will be reviewing applications throughout the campaign and may invite candidates to interview at any time. We reserve the right to close this role earlier than the published closing date should a suitable candidate be identified.

JBRP1_UKTJ