JobDescription & Specification

JOB TITLE / Assistant Solicitor - Social Welfare Law
DEPARTMENT / Civil Litigation – Social Welfare Department
ROLE / Housing Law Solicitor in the Social Welfare Team
Solicitor, with expertise in housing law, to conduct a case loadwithin the Practice’s Social Welfare Law Department
The main description of the work is:
Management, Supervision and Administration of the Housing Team:
  • Maintaining quality standards (Lexcel, LAA Contracts)
  • To maintain Legal Aid supervisor status (Housing & Debt category)
  • Carry out supervisory reviews and appropriate follow-up action
  • Administration of the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme
  • Work allocation
  • Coaching/mentoring of housing team members
  • Contribution toward departmental administration and development
Maintenance/progress of caseload
  • Responsibility for conducting a case load(including defendant tenant representation in possession and eviction, anti-social behaviour, closure order matters, and claimant litigation in housing disrepair including personal injury)
  • Attendance at court hearings generally (including the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme and supervision of paralegals/trainees)
  • Attendance on clients in the office and at court
  • File & financial management of cases in line with Lexcel and internal practice management standards
  • Review of incoming post
  • Planning, dairying, monitoring, and follow up action
  • Efficient use of time and maximising cost recovery
Team membership:
  • Liaison with the Social Welfare Law team
  • Cooperative support for all relevant staff /other departments in the Practice/ administration and finance
  • Contribution to development of Social Welfare Law work including provision of marketing-related information/articles, networking, presentations.
  • Conducting file reviews
  • Contribution to identifying training needs of others where appropriate
Provision of support and cover for other team members:
  • Monitoring and reviewing incoming email and post, checking and signing outgoing post
  • Necessary action to progress cases
  • Any necessary attendances upon clients and at court hearings

REQUIREMENTS OF ROLE
QUALIFICATIONS / Qualified solicitor – 3 years PQE
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE / Essential
Knowledge of housing law and experience of claimant litigation including personal injury
Experience in conducting own caseload,;
Court advocacy experience
IT skills – word processing;
Ability to work within Lexcel or similar quality requirements
Ability to qualify as a LAA Supervisor – Housing.
Desirable
Satisfy LAA Supervisor criteria
Experience of legal aid funded work
Knowledge and experience of related law: human rights, public law, community care, welfare benefits
Broader IT skills – CCMS, spreadsheets, case management
Networking skills/contacts for sourcing work
Knowledge of Lexcel or LAA requirements
PERSONAL SKILLS / Motivation to provide the highest client care, including an interest in protecting people’s fundamental human rights
Good oral and written communication skills, with clients, colleagues, and the court
Cooperative approach and supportive to all staff
High level of self reliance
Ability to prioritise and manage time
Case planning and monitoring skills
Ability to manage the challengespresented by urgent/emergency tasks
Ability to work efficiently and to deadlines without compromising quality of service
Ability to identify necessary actions and work pro-actively to maximise client satisfaction