Job description
Job Title: Assistant Solicitor (Housing & Litigation)
On behalf of our Client, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, MPA Recruitment welcomes suitable applications for the role of Assistant Solicitor (Housing & Litigation) in the Belfast Area.
The Assistant Solicitor will be expected to work independently, under the supervision of a Senior Solicitor to ensure the provision of a high-quality legal service to all levels of the organisation. The Assistant Solicitor will undertake and assist in the provision of professional and timely legal advice and assistance in relation to social housing and related matters and the conduct of associated litigation.
Location: Adelaide Street, Belfast.
Hours of work: 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday: 09.00am to 5pm)
Salary range: £16.12
Main Duties:
To undertake and assist in all aspects of the provision of legal advice and assistance to the Housing Executive in the delivery of its statutory housing related functions and business objectives, and the conduct of any related litigation to include the following:
tenancy rights and obligations.
breaches of tenancy and appropriate legal remedies
applications made under and relating to the statutory Housing Selection Scheme (SHSS)
1.To carry out research into legal issues and provide opinion papers.
2.To liaise with, attend and advise clients and third parties and accept new instructions as directed.
3.To draft county court proceedings, prepare trial bundles and briefs to counsel.
4.To undertake contentious work as directed in connection with any of the above matters to include attending court throughout Northern Ireland, liaising with third parties in connection with client matters: expert witnesses, courts and Counsel.
Key Responsibilities
5.To undertake and to be responsible for the management of their own caseload while being subject to the direction and supervision of a Senior Solicitor.
6.To participate and support the building and maintaining an effective and efficient Legal Services team and ensuring a professional and high-quality service in support of the Housing Executive’s objectives and outcomes.
7.To assist with the preparation of briefing materials for Committee and Board approval as required and attending these meetings as appropriate.
8.To operate and maintain the relevant information management systems and controls.
9.To work collaboratively with members of the Legal Services team in order to deliver business objectives.
10.To provide regular reports on all legal work to the supervising Senior Solicitor to enable compliance with reporting controls to the Director of Corporate Services, the Chief Executive, and the senior management team, as may be considered necessary or appropriate.
11.To maintain and continuously develop their professional knowledge and competence across a broad range of legal matters to enable and ensure the provision of quality legal advice and assistance to the Housing Executive.
Experience and Qualifications
Essential:
Applicants must provide evidence by the closing date for application that they meet the following essential criteria:
1.Possess a degree or equivalent level (Level 6*) qualification.
2.Be a solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland qualified to practice in Northern Ireland.
3.Can demonstrate at least 24 months post-qualification experience within the last five years in the provision of, or assisting in the provision of, legal advice and assistance and the conduct of, or assisting in the conduct of, civil litigation matters.
Can demonstrate:
•Excellent analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
•Strong organisational skills to manage a busy caseload.
•Ability to work well under pressure of multiple deadlines.
•Excellent interpersonal communication and influencing skills.
•Willingness and ability to work collegiately.
5.Possess a current driving licence or have access to a form of transport that enables them to meet the requirements of the post in full.
Desirable:
Applicants may provide evidence by the closing date for application that they meet one or more of the following desirable criteria.
1.Experience in providing advice and assistance and or litigation services in social housing law.
2.Experience in providing advice and assistance and or litigation services in public law matters.
Additional Information:
•A Basic Access NI Check is required at a cost of £18.
How to Apply
To apply for this position please send your CV to chris.oneill@mparecruitment.co.uk
Or for further information and a confidential discussion on this post please call Chris at our Belfast office on 02895 211111
Please ensure your CV is accurate and updated with full personal contact details, education history, qualifications, and employment history.
MPA Recruitment are operating as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
MPA are committed to providing equality of opportunity in employment and welcome applications from all suitably qualified applicants irrespective of gender, marital or family status, religious belief, political opinion, disability, age, race, nationality, or sexual orientation.