Housing Lawyer in Grays

This is an exciting opportunity with growth in abundance at Thurrock. It is the perfect time to develop and progress in this vibrant and dynamic team. We are looking for someone with a passion for housing law and general civil litigation, a proactive mindset, and a desire to grow professionally in a supportive and experienced environment. We welcome applications from candidates at all stages of their legal career provided they demonstrate strong legal aptitude, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

As a Housing Lawyer you will be responsible for:

• Advising housing officers and senior managers on tenancy management, homelessness duties, allocations, housing enforcement, and anti-social behaviour.
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents, including possession claims, injunction applications, witness statements, tenancy agreements, and policy documents.
• Managing a caseload of civil litigation, such as possession proceedings, disrepair claims, unlawful eviction cases, and anti-social behaviour injunctions under the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
• Representing the Council in court, including County Court possession lists, injunction hearings, and case management conferences.
• Providing legal support for enforcement action, including civil penalties, improvement notices, and prosecutions under housing and environmental health legislation.
• Judicial Review proceedings.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation such as the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Housing Act 1985, landlord and tenant law, and human rights obligations.
• Supporting junior members of the team including the Legal Apprentice in legal practice and procedure contributing towards their professional development.
• Contributing to governance processes, ensuring legal compliance and sound decision‑making.
• Maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, and best practice.
• Carrying out research and providing legal advice to Client Departments on all related legal transactions.
• Engaging with senior officers and Members to offer high‑quality legal services, with a focus on social justice.
• Collaborating closely with directorates to ensure efficient delivery of Council priorities.
• Becoming a trusted advisor, advocate and problem solver as you contribute to Thurrock's vision of client focused and innovative service delivery.
• Notifying and advising on any instructions or events that would result in a breach by the Council or an individual of any legislation, common law, standing order or rule or propriety or would constitute a course of action amounting to maladministration.
• Attending and participating in meetings with Officers of the Council and providing legal advice when required.
• Being willing and able to work in a flexible and agile way with regards to both hours and location of work, including remote and home working, as required, subject to service needs and requirements.
• Two days minimum attendance in the office.
• Excellent demonstrable knowledge of the ability to lead on complex and local government possession proceedings, disrepair claims, unlawful eviction cases, and anti‑social behaviour injunctions under the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and more.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to explain complex legal issues clearly and confidently.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build partnerships with experienced clients and colleagues.
• High emotional intelligence (EQ), with the ability to build positive working relationships and navigate sensitive issues professionally.
• Excellent organisational skills able to manage a complex and varied workload with a flexible and innovative approach to work, ensuring that deadlines and court directed deadlines are adhered to.
• Being an effective leader acting as an ambassador for legal services across the council, sharing good practice and encouraging innovation amongst colleagues, to include training/mentoring junior members of the team.
• Attending and advising in Committee Meetings.
• Being proactive and self‑motivated, with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn.
• Ability to work on own initiative and with minimal supervision, to undertake research and be able to make accurate, considered judgements and decisions.
• Ability to assist on the implementation of best value, quality initiatives and improvements to client care.
• Ability to relate the Council's key policy objectives to the provision of the legal service.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
• DBS Check: Standard check is required

Special Knowledge

• Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
• Advocacy skills.
• Good general level of understanding of IT systems, especially case management/time recording packages.
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills.
• Understanding of Local Government structures and legal frameworks.
• Understanding of Law Society practice management standards.

Experience

• Experience as a paralegal within a legal services team in a Local Authority or law firm.
• Experience of working towards achieving/monitoring quality initiatives.
• Experience in a performance management culture.

Other Requirements

• To behave in accordance with our values.
• Commitment to the principles of agile working including the ability to work flexibly with regards to both hours of work and location of work including remote and home working as required with 2 days in the office.
• Paralegal with experience in this field of work.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification. We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do. Understanding of and commitment to principles of equality and diversity and compliance with Thurrock Council policies.

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve. Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead. This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents. We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes. Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Benefits of Working with Us at Thurrock Council

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment