At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage housing litigation cases and represent the council in courts and tribunals.
- Company: Join a multi-award winning, Lexcel-accredited Legal Services team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and well-being support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace encouraging diverse applicants and offering excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in housing law while developing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with housing law experience and strong advocacy skills.
The predicted salary is between 52413 - 56730 ÂŁ per year.
Hours: 37
Contract type: Full time, 12-month fixed term
Salary: £52,413 – £56,730 (Grade 8)
Location: City of Wolverhampton Council – Civic Centre, Wolverhampton
About our Legal Services Team
We are a multi‑award winning, Lexcel‑accredited Legal Services team dedicated to providing high‑quality legal services across the council. The team is committed to excellence and offers opportunities for professional development and career progression.
Role Overview
As a Housing Litigation Solicitor or Barrister, you will manage a varied housing litigation caseload, represent the council in courts and tribunals, and collaborate with a supportive, high‑performing team. You will have opportunities for mentor‑led development, minimal supervision, and the ability to contribute to business development and client care.
Responsibilities
- Manage a varied caseload focused on housing litigation, including disrepair, anti‑social behaviour, and rent arrears matters
- Advise and advocate in courts and tribunals, including Magistrates’ and County Courts
- Prepare court documents such as statements of case, applications, draft orders, skeleton arguments, case summaries and disclosure requests
- Represent the council in courts, tribunals and meetings, including handling court lists
- Conduct complex litigation for client departments covering civil, regulatory crime and public law
- Advise elected members on practice areas and standards issues
- Provide client care and contribute to business development activities
- Collaborate with colleagues across the team and support others as required
- Work independently with minimal supervision and meet deadlines
Qualifications
- Qualified solicitor or practising barrister with experience in housing law
- Experience handling housing litigation from start to finish, including advocacy in courts and tribunals
- Strong drafting skills and ability to produce clear, persuasive court documents
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with proven negotiation and influencing abilities
- Capability to command respect from clients, colleagues and the court
- Willingness to undertake advocacy across all tiers of court
- Strong organisational and commercial awareness, with a mature and practical approach to legal work
- Flexibility to support the team and take on new challenges
- Commitment to client care, providing sound legal advice and high‑quality work
Benefits
- Competitive salary with pay progression through multiple annual increments
- Hybrid working (two days in‑office) with flexible hours
- Generous annual leave (26–35 days plus bank holidays)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Free city‑wide parking
- Well‑being and lifestyle support
- Paid volunteering days (2 per year)
Diversity and Inclusion
We are a Disability Confident Employer and have received the Stonewall Gold Award and RACE Code Quality Mark, highlighting our commitment to an inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including under‑represented groups, and welcome candidates who are recent graduates, career changers or those moving from private practice to public service.
Housing Litigation Solicitor / Barrister employer: WMJobs
Contact Detail:
WMJobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Litigation Solicitor / Barrister
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the legal field! Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals for a chat. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can offer you valuable advice.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in housing litigation. Bring along examples of your work, like court documents or case summaries, to demonstrate your drafting skills and advocacy experience. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the council and its legal services team. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their needs, especially in areas like disrepair and anti-social behaviour cases. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your negotiation and influencing abilities.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Housing Litigation Solicitor or Barrister role! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our award-winning team, so make sure your application reflects your passion for providing high-quality legal services.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Litigation Solicitor / Barrister
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Housing Litigation Solicitor/Barrister role. Highlight your experience in housing law and any relevant cases you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Drafting Skills: Since strong drafting skills are key for this position, include examples of court documents you've prepared. Whether it's statements of case or skeleton arguments, let us know how you’ve nailed those in the past!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Know Your Housing Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in housing law. Familiarise yourself with key cases and legislation relevant to disrepair, anti-social behaviour, and rent arrears. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Advocacy Scenarios
Since you'll be representing the council in courts and tribunals, practice your advocacy skills. Think about how you would present a case in front of a judge. You might even want to rehearse with a friend or colleague to get comfortable with articulating your arguments clearly and persuasively.
✨Showcase Your Drafting Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with drafting court documents. Bring examples of your work if possible, and be prepared to explain your thought process behind them. Clear, persuasive writing is crucial in this role, so highlight your ability to produce high-quality legal documents.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
The role involves working closely with a supportive team, so be prepared to talk about your experiences collaborating with others. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to team success in the past, and express your enthusiasm for working in a collaborative environment.