At a Glance
- Tasks: Support legal teams with housing management issues and attend court hearings.
- Company: Join a multi-award-winning recruitment business in North London.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and skill development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in housing law while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Law degree preferred; legal background in housing is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 27.94 - 27.94 £ per hour.
Morgan Hunt currently requires a Legal Assistant for Housing Trust based in North London on a Temporary basis.
Pay Rate: £27.94ph Ltd. Hours: 35 hrs Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm - Hybrid, minimum 3 days in the office or on site / at court (Tuesdays & Wednesdays MUST be in the office), 2 days from home. Location: North London. Duration: 6 month ongoing contract.
The Ideal Candidate
- Law Degree (preferred).
- Legal background in Housing is also preferred but not necessary in a legal team, could be in the income team for example.
- Majority of work comes under income possession at courts.
- Required to go to court to attend hearings, as and when they come up.
Job Role
You will form an integral part of the legal team by providing legal support to the operational teams on a range of housing management related issues including tenancy and lease breaches with particular focus on escalated arrears and pursuing effective recovery via legal action. You will work closely with the local officers and tenancy sustainment and safeguarding teams to ensure debt is escalated appropriately, once all reasonable support options have been put in place.
You will have your own caseload which will be predominantly escalated arrears cases that have been referred to you, to drive an effective resolution. You will play a crucial role in rent and service charge collection for the organisation. Your decisions will be in collaboration with operational teams, whilst placing the resident at the centre of every decision.
You will provide training, support and advice to operational teams on tenancy and lease breaches including rent and service charge recovery, to empower them to take decisions that make our schemes great places to live and for residents to live their lives well. Lead on rent and service charge recovery cases referred to you by the operational teams, with the goal of maximising income for the organisation.
Manage other legal cases assigned to you. Provide support to Paralegals, team managers and team leaders as required - particularly those where there is a crossover with arrears to ensure cases are managed in a joined‑up way. This may include housing and lease management issues including disrepair. Work and support paralegals and work effectively with other departments on cases that may require their input to successfully recover service charge debt.
Represent trust well in external settings such as court, multi‑agency meetings, local authority engagement meetings, mediation and casework panels on tenancy and lease breaches. Prepare, draft and respond to all necessary legal documentation and bundles, evidence and witness statements as required. Work effectively with panel solicitors where cases require external involvement.
Take ownership and accountability for your caseload in accordance with performance indicators. Seek advice, flag risk and offer mitigations on issues that may rise. Work closely with the operational teams and tenancy sustainment and safeguarding teams, to be confident that legal escalation takes place once all reasonable proactive engagement with residents has been exhausted, always focusing on tenancy sustainment objectives.
Support and advise operational teams to ensure legal risks are identified and mitigated appropriately. Proactively feed into policy and practices to support this. Demonstrate adequate legal knowledge for the role, be inquisitive and keep up to date with developments in the law. Work alongside legal colleagues to deliver meaningful training, guidance and advice to operational teams.
Legal Assistant - North London employer: Morgan Hunt Recruitment
Morgan Hunt is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in South East London that prioritises employee growth and development. With a strong focus on hybrid working, our team enjoys a balanced work-life integration while contributing to the vital financial management of the NHS. We foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, ensuring that our employees are equipped with the tools and support they need to excel in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Assistant - North London
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Morgan Hunt Recruitment.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Morgan Hunt Recruitment does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Morgan Hunt Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Assistant - North 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 Morgan Hunt Recruitment and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan Hunt Recruitment
✨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 - North London role at Morgan Hunt Recruitment. 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 Morgan Hunt Recruitment.
