At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage debt recovery cases and support the Financial Litigation Team.
- Company: Brent Council, a vibrant and diverse London borough.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and valuable legal experience.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in the legal field while making a difference in your community.
- Qualifications: Organised, flexible, and eager to learn about debt recovery processes.
The predicted salary is between 37692 - 37692 £ per year.
Salary range: £37,692 p.a. incl. London weighting
Contract: 12 month fixed term
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Remote working 2 days a week (3 days attendance office attendance required) and other locations from time to time
This post is open to both internal and external applicants.
Join an exciting Legal Service. Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent's diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here. The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.
The Post: In our Financial Litigation Team we are looking to recruit two Legal Assistants on a 12 months fixed term contract. This will be a great experience for someone seeking to gain valuable experience to enhance an opportunity to pursue a career in the legal profession.
The Legal Assistant will manage a caseload of debt recovery matters working with a wide range of client departments within the council. This often requires instigation of county court proceedings against debtors so good knowledge of civil procedure rules will be ideal. Some knowledge of recovery of service charge and ASC debt will be of advantage but not essential as training in this area will be provided.
The Legal Assistant will need:
- To consider and investigate matters referred to the legal team and allocated to the caseworker.
- Request and obtain further information and documentation from our various client departments, acknowledge referrals and advise on the merit of the case.
- To take prompt action in the debt recovery process.
- Engage in dispute resolution and explore alternative methods of settlement such as mediation.
- Instruct Counsel and costs draftsman when necessary.
- Manage a caseload of service charge, Adult social care, council tax arrears, housing benefit overpayment, and general, sundry debt recovery matters on the Council's legal electronic case management system.
The Person: We are looking for an organised, flexible individual. The Legal Assistant should demonstrate aptitude and the ability to quickly pick up a wide range of debt recovery cases. They will report to the Senior Lawyers in the team.
Closing Date: Wednesday 9th September 2026 (23:59pm) GMT
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.
We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
Brent has a positive approach to flexible working. As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us.
Legal Assistant – Financial Litigation team in London employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT
The London Borough of Brent is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises the health of our waterways. Employees benefit from professional development opportunities, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a tangible impact on community health and environmental sustainability in one of London's vibrant boroughs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Assistant – Financial Litigation team in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Legal Assistant – Financial Litigation team in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Legal Assistant – Financial Litigation team role at LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at LONDON BOROUGH OF BRENT.
