Lawyer

Job Title: Lawyer (Housing) -
Location: 160 Tooley Street, London SE1
Rate: £32 per hour
Contract Type: Temporary Agency Assignment
Duration: 09 June 2025 - 01 September 2025
Hours: 36 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00)
IR35 Status: Undetermined

About the Role:
Southwark Council is seeking an experienced Housing Lawyer to join its Legal Services team to provide critical cover during a period of unplanned staff absence. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in supporting the council's Housing Services through high-quality legal advice and litigation support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a personal caseload of complex housing matters with minimal supervision.

• Provide legal advice on housing management under the Housing Act 1985, Housing Act 1996, and other relevant legislation.

• Conduct possession proceedings (excluding rent arrears), unauthorised occupancy, succession disputes, homelessness litigation, and housing allocations.

• Advise on legal risk and ensure accurate time recording and documentation.

• Represent the council in court and liaise with internal departments and external parties.

• Use electronic case management systems to maintain and progress legal cases.

Essential Requirements:

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or FILEX with extensive experience in public sector housing law.

• Demonstrated ability to handle litigation and advisory work for local authority tenancies.

• Strong knowledge of housing legislation, litigation procedure, and local authority housing functions.

• Proficient in legal research and IT systems, including electronic legal case management tools.

• Previous experience working within a local authority legal team.

• Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal.

Work Arrangement:

• Must attend the office full-time for the first 2-3 weeks (induction period).

• Thereafter, a minimum of 3 days per week in-office is required.