Senior Lawyer – Housing & Disrepair (PO7)

Job Category : Legal – Senior Posts

Location :Lewisham Council

Hours Per Week : 35.00

Start Date : Immediate Start

Start Time : 09:00

End Time : 17:00
Salary: £33.80

Main Purpose of the job: 

To handle more complex housing litigation work arising and in particular deputise for the Principal Lawyer as appropriate in this major Council work area. This will include disrepair, possession, landlord and tenant and general housing advice. 

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Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties:

1.         Ensure that legal advice and assistance is provided efficiently and expeditiously both personally and by other staff within the Team. Manage and co-ordinate the work of staff and provide advice, guidance and direction as necessary.

2.         Deputise for the Principal Lawyer as required.

3.         Manage a group of staff within the Team on a day to day basis, as required by the Principal Lawyer.

4.         Undertake as required (and in particular in any major work area allocated), a personal caseload of the more complex housing litigation and advisory work.


Knowledge

Advanced and substantial knowledge of the particular area of law and knowledge of its application in a local authority context                                                                                    

Advanced and substantial knowledge of the particular area of law and knowledge of its application in a local authority context                                                                                                                                                                                    

Knowledge of progressive strategic and operational management practice                        

An advanced understanding of the issues facing local government and an ability to rise to them                                                                                                                                                  

Knowledge of practice and procedure in Courts, tribunals and Inquiries     

Aptitude

Ability to use initiative and experience to analyse problems, make decisions and exercise proper professional judgement without reference to others                                                 

Capability to work positively and imaginatively in conjunction with others at the most senior level in the authority and with partners to prepare and promote the Council’s policies and generally to deal with issues progressively

Ability and willingness to carry out special tasks and/or projects contributing to or leading multi-disciplinary teams as necessary

Ability to work under substantial pressure

Robust but creative approach in the interpretation and application of the law

Skills

(Skills can only be used as shortlisting criteria if the skill is to be tested)                                           

Articulate and confident in oral and written presentation 

Ability to present written information succinctly, accurately and clearly.    

Ability to give clear and concise advice on the telephone, at meetings and in correspondence

Ability to draft complex and unusual legal documentation and deal with complex matters

Ability to assess priorities and meet conflicting deadlines

Ability to supervise, advise, guide and train less experienced staff

Experience

Substantial practical relevant experience of the appropriate area of work set out in the job description                                                                                                              

Experience of undertaking an extensive and varied legal caseload proficiently at a senior level                                                                                                                             Experience of managing staff and of ensuring performance of work programmes and objectives within strict legislative and other timescales