Solicitor - Social Housing (In‑House) in High Wycombe

Solicitor - Social Housing (In‑House)

Salary: £60,268 + excellent benefits

Location: Wooburn Green, High Wycombe OR Letchworth Garden City.

Work from either our Letchworth Garden City or Wooburn Green, High Wycombe office base (minimum of two days per week in the office and three days per week working from home)

Hybrid working: Two days per week in the office and three days from home

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose?

At SettleParadigm, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 30,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire.

Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising number of new affordable homes we build. Through our merger we’ve brought together shared values, skills and ambition, so we can build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve

If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.

We are seeking an experienced Solicitor to join our in‑house Legal Services team. This is a senior, hands‑on role for a qualified solicitor with proven, recent experience working on social housing matters, either in‑house for a housing provider, local authority or in private practice advising social housing clients. You will provide specialist legal advice, manage a complex caseload of housing and property litigation and non‑contentious matters, and act as a trusted legal partner to senior leaders across the organisation.

About the Role

As our Solicitor, you will deliver high quality legal services across the SettleParadigm Group. You will work closely with Executive Directors, Directors, Heads of Service and senior colleagues, providing clear, practical and commercially aware legal advice.

You will manage a varied caseload that includes varied property related matters including leasehold management, commercial contracts and data protection. Caseload may also include mixed property litigation work. . You will also represent SettleParadigm at Courts, Tribunals and other forums when required.

This is a role where you will influence decision making, support strategic objectives and help build a strong culture of legal awareness and risk management across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical and commercially aware legal advice to Executive Directors, Heads of Service and operational teams on housing, property and related matters.
• Manage a mixed caseload of contentious and non‑contentious housing work including leasehold management, possession and possession prevention, access injunctions, service charge disputes, disrepair and related litigation.
• Draft and negotiate deeds of variation, easements, licences, commercial contracts and tenancy‑related documentation.
• Represent SettleParadigm at court, tribunal and other hearings where required.
• Lead on complex cases from instruction to resolution, including instructing and managing external counsel and counsel budgets.
• Maintain compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority Code of Conduct and support the Head of Legal in governance, risk and legal reporting.
• Contribute to the Legal Risk Register, deliver training on landlord and tenant law, and support the development of legal processes and case management systems.
• Deputise for the Head of Legal when required and lead special projects as needed.

• Invest in CPD and ongoing personal development

What We’re Looking For

Must haves:

• Admitted Solicitor of England & Wales with a current practising certificate (or Barrister with equivalent post‑call experience).
• Minimum of four years’ post‑qualification experience with demonstrable, recent experience advising social housing clients (either in‑house or in private practice advising housing providers).
• Proven track record in both contentious and non‑contentious housing law: possession, leasehold disputes, service charge challenges, disrepair, injunctions and related litigation.
• Experience representing clients in court or tribunal hearings.
• Strong knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules, housing management law and regulatory obligations affecting social landlords.
• Experience commissioning and managing external counsel and legal spend.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills; ability to present legal risk clearly to senior non‑legal audiences.
• Experience using case management systems and producing management information for senior stakeholders.

Nice to haves:

• Prior in‑house legal team experience within a housing association, local authority housing team or private practice team specialising in social housing.

• Experience of training operational teams on legal risk and tenancy management.
• Experience of data protection issues in a housing context, development or regeneration legal work, or charity/regulatory sector experience.
• Experience of managing a legal caseload with limited supervision.

Why this role is different

This role requires sector‑specific expertise. You will be advising on resident‑facing, high‑risk matters where regulatory compliance, safeguarding and reputational risk are central. We need someone who understands the operational pressures of housing teams and can translate legal advice into practical, timely decisions.

At SettleParadigm, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Our comprehensive benefits and rewards package reflects this commitment.

Benefits

• annual salary: £60,268 per annum
• 25 days holiday,increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
• Generous pension scheme– up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
• Family-friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Health cash plan– claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids’ cover)
• Life cover and income protection
• Flexible working– hybrid options, modern offices, free parking & EV charging

And that’s just the beginning! We’re also thrilled to provide:

• Mental Health First Aiders available to support
• Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues subject to conditions)
• Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
• 3 paid volunteering days in the local communities
• Peer-recognition rewards platform
• Paid professional subscription (one per year)

Working Hours & Location

• 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday
• 09:00 - 17:30 Monday - Thursday
• 09:00 - 17:00 Friday
• Work from either our Letchworth Garden City or Wooburn Green, High Wycombe office base (minimum of two days per week in the office and three days per week working from home)

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.

Closing Date: 15.08.2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.