Lawstop (London/Brighton/Cambridge/Bristol) – Housing Solicitors

Lawstop (London/Brighton/Cambridge/Bristol) – Housing SolicitorsJob title: Housing SolicitorsLocation: London / Brighton / Cambridge / BristolHours: Full-time – 37.5 hours per week; 9.30am-5.30pm Monday–Friday (alternative working arrangements including part-time hours will be considered)Start date: as soon as possibleLawstop is a specialist firm of solicitors with offices in London, Brighton, Nottingham Cornwall, Somerset, Cambridge and Leicestershire.We are recruiting experienced Housing Solicitors to join our dynamic legal aid practice. With a modern approach, the firm are legal experts within their areas of law and pride ourselves on high levels of client care, providing an outstanding service at all times.We require self‑motivated individuals with excellent communication and written skills. You will be highly organised, able to manage a varied workload and work well under pressure. Patience and tact are necessary as you will be assisting vulnerable people whose welfare is our priority. Sound knowledge of legal aid funding is required.As a solicitor joining our friendly and expanding team, we will provide support and on‑going training; however, you must have enough experience to hit the ground running.We are a versatile and adaptive practice with a unique approach to the delivery of legal services, and we work hard to achieve the best results for our clients.We offer excellent support and training opportunities to our staff. We reward performance, provide flexible working practices and positively encourage every individual’s contribution as to how we deliver services.We are looking for:A qualified solicitor who should have significant experience of advising in housing law matters. Must understand the needs of the vulnerable client group that we work with and can balance their needs with assisting paralegals working on their cases.The Solicitor will work with the Housing team, including paralegals and administrative staff. Consistent with the business core objectives, you must demonstrate a commitment to access to social justice for all.Key ResponsibilitiesAdvice, Casework & Representation / Core ActivitiesWork with the Housing team to support the day‑to‑day managerial responsibility for the firm including ensuring compliance with all professional body requirements;Provide advice, casework, representation, and advocacy services to clients directly on housing law matters, including Homelessness; Disrepair; Eviction; Possession; as well as undertaking your own advocacyAssist with running the legal aid contract as appropriate, bill files, complete legal aid applications and comply with other Legal Aid Agency and SQM requirements;Provide support and guidance to paralegals in the development of their professional skills (interviewing, advising, client care, legal research, drafting and advocacy) through one‑to‑one sessions and case oversight;Carry out such other duties as may reasonably be requested.EnablingAssist in building and maintaining links with local community groups and advice networks and with legal professionals.Person SpecificationMust have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applyingIs passionate and enthusiastic about legal aid work and has a proven track record in delivering legal aid work and a wide range of experience.Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster culture of positive changePrevious proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicatorsProfessional with a pro‑active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable client matters in a sensitive compassionate manner and resolve complicated practicalities involved in Housing issuesExcellent analytical and organisational skillsAbility to use own initiative and sound judgmentHave extensive experience in dealing with all Housing related workExperience in own advocacy is an advantageExcellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skillsApply:Please provide CV and cover letter to Mary Bennett: #J-18808-Ljbffr