Legal Officer - Private Sector Housing - #1737739

Job title: Legal Officer - Private Sector Housing

Contract: Permanent 2 x Legal Officers (C3) General Litigation Debt & Possession

Hours:37 hours per week

Salary: C3 £31,067 - £32,654

Leeds City Council is looking to recruit a full time permanent Legal Officer for the General Litigation team. The post holders will be required to carry out work within the Debt team and the General Litigation team covering a number of areas of law. The post holders will manage their own caseload ithin their area and support the work of the more Senior Officers in the team.

It is essential that the successful candidate has good interpersonal skills, is able to prioritise work and balance the demands of the role whilst working to tight deadlines. They must be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed. Please review the job advert and job description for the essential requirements.

The areas of law include general debt advice and debt proceedings, possession proceedings and boundary disputes.

The post attracts local authority benefits including: access to West Yorkshire Pension Scheme; generous annual leave entitlement; training and development; flexible working, including working from home as well as Civic Hall in the Centre of Leeds.

Our council values are at the heart of everything we do:

• Being open, honest and trusted – being your best
• Treating people fairly – feeling like you count
• Spending money wisely – making every pound go further
• Working as a team for Leeds – being part of a team with a “can do” attitude
• Working with people, engaging all communities – being proud to make a difference
  
  
  

Leeds City Council is an award winning and progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses. At its core is the overall vision to be the Best City, to tackle poverty and inequality and improve quality of life for everyone who calls Leeds home.

Having a workforce that reflects the people of Leeds is important. We value diversity and fair treatment of employees and applicants.

Our Legal Services department reflects the diversity of Leeds, and is a welcoming and inclusive team, with a positive, healthy workplace culture where everyone can be themselves.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Karen Blackmore (General Litigation Team Leader) on 0113 3789056 or at [email protected]

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose to undertake legal work for and on behalf of [SECTION], including where appropriate, advocacy and preparation for hearings. Some clerical duties may also be required.

To carry out legal work primarily within the team and section named above but the post holder could be required to carry out work within other teams or sections in Legal Services.

Responsibilities

• To give written and oral advice as appropriate.
• To assist Officers in Legal Services with legal work
• Drafting documents - including drafting, issuing and serving Court documents.
• Preparing cases for hearing in Courts, including drafting letters, taking witness statements, collating and redacting evidence, arranging for the attendance of witnesses at Court and preparing Instructions to Counsel.
• Attendance at Courts with Counsel.
• To undertake legal research.
• Post-Court work to inform Clients of outcomes.
• Maintaining and operating computerised systems.
• Dealing with enquiries/correspondence from external solicitors, the court and other agencies.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
  
  
  

Qualifications

2 A-levels (grade A-C), or paralegal qualification (e.g., affiliate member of CILEX with 5 level 3 units) or equivalent qualification;

OR, 4 GCSEs (grade A-C) and 12 months experience of working within a legal environment within the last 5 years.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• To draft and prepare clear and concise reports, letters and memoranda.
• To relate effectively to people at different levels inside and outside the Council.
• To work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
• To prioritise and organise workload.
• To possess or have the ability to develop IT skills.
• To work within time constraints.
• To work with minimum supervision within a supportive environment.
• To grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
• To deal sensitively with situations involving people who are experiencing distress or personal or other difficulties.
• To adopt a flexible approach.
• To express concepts and ideas clearly.
• To negotiate with external organisations (including legal and other professional representatives and Court Officers).
• Knowledge of office procedures and practice
• Experience of using IT systems such as Windows (Word, Excel, Databases).
• Experience of organising and planning own work with minimum supervision.
• Experience of dealing with enquiries and correspondence from a wide range of people.
• Experience of working as a member of a team.
  
  
  

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  
  

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• Knowledge of law and practice relating to Local Government.
• Knowledge of law and practice relating to Social Services.
• Experience of working in a legal office.
• Experience of working for a Local Authority.
• Experience of [AREA OF LAW].
  
  
  

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