Overview

Housing Litigation Solicitor Lead role at Riverside. Location: Liverpool. Contract Type: Permanent. Salary: £55,191 per annum (£61,000 achieved after 12 months on successful performance). Working Hours: 35 hours per week. Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, Hybrid.

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please attach a current CV and covering letter. We recruit to potential, not just on skills and experience, so apply even if you don’t meet all the essential criteria.

Role title

Housing Litigation Solicitor-Disrepair Lead

Responsibilities

• Be part of the in-house Riverside legal team providing high quality, well-judged and informed legal advice to the operational business in relation to housing management functions and housing litigation.
• Manage a small team, working with Asset Strategy & Delivery colleagues to ensure casework is well managed, efficient and cost-effective.
• Ensure the business meets regulatory, legislative and common law obligations; raise awareness of developments; identify risk; provide training as required.
• Act as an effective business partner to internal and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration aligned with Riverside’s Corporate Strategy.
• Opportunity to manage matters outside Asset Strategy & Delivery (e.g., tenancy/licence breaches in Care and Support and Social Housing) if desired; may also handle non-Disrepair matters such as money claims as needed.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• A degree from a recognised UK university or equivalent (or non-UK qualification).
• A professional legal qualification recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or equivalent.
• Strong technical experience in housing disrepair matters (Claimant or Defendant side).

Why Riverside

Riverside is a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years we’ve revitalised neighbourhoods and supported communities by providing homes. We manage over 75,000 affordable homes across the UK, with work spanning homelessness services to social care and retirement living.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and generous pension
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options
• Investment in learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion

We are inclusive and value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants who declare a disability and meet minimum role requirements. The Ethnic Diversity Guaranteed Interview Scheme also applies where applicable.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Role Profile

As a Housing Litigation Solicitor Disrepair Lead, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting the Housing Litigation Team with identifying and delivering training for Asset Strategy & Delivery colleagues to upskill staff and promote a knowledgeable workforce.
• Improving systems and processes within the Legal Team to deliver a value-for-money service.
• Improving systems and processes to deliver excellent customer service first time.
• Maintaining case management systems and databases used for auditing purposes.
• Managing risks to the business by asking the right questions and challenging the business appropriately.
• Working with Asset Strategy & Delivery colleagues and attending business partner meetings; maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
• Being an ambassador for the team and supporting the business in achieving corporate objectives.
• Adhering to policies and procedures; developing good quality management information to demonstrate the Legal Team’s impact.
• Allocating work within the Disrepair sub-team; monitoring external legal spend to stay within budgets.
• Developing and maintaining internal intranet pages for the Legal Team.

People and Management

• Lead and manage your team with mentoring and coaching to provide a high-quality, customer-focused service.
• Complete People Essentials activities and support recruitment and mandatory training.
• Provide direction and support with the Senior Housing Litigation Solicitor; set improvement targets and appraise performance.
• Inspire colleagues to promote wellbeing, performance and development; promote inclusion, diversity and equity.
• Ensure team structures are resourced and that the team meets evolving organisational needs.
• Support colleagues to participate in the Our Riverside Voice Forum and uphold confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Learning and development

• Develop knowledge of new areas of law as required to support the Housing Litigation Team; work towards personal and team objectives and attend training opportunities as required.

Other Information

• All colleagues must comply with Group policies and Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies.
• All colleagues must comply with the Data Protection Act and maintain confidentiality.
• Flexibility to travel to other locations as required; hybrid role with head office attendance in Speke, Liverpool, and/or other TRGL offices.
• Equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practices are expected in all work undertaken.

Person specification

Essential

• Degree from a recognised UK university or equivalent; non-UK qualification accepted
• Professional legal qualification recognised by the SRA or equivalent
• Strong experience in housing disrepair matters (Claimant or Defendant)
• Experience managing a caseload with excellent outcomes
• Knowledge of pre-action protocols for housing conditions claims and the Civil Procedure Rules
• Knowledge of statutory, regulatory and common law relating to housing management for social landlords
• Data Protection Act 2018 awareness
• Ability to work in a complex organisation; strong communication and advocacy skills
• Excellent IT literacy, database management and research skills
• Ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders; high attention to detail
• Ability to work independently with initiative and ownership; capable of workload management
• Motivated, resilient and committed to a high-performing service
• Team player with flexibility and commercial awareness; focus on continuous improvement and governance
• Customer-focused with transparent communication to inspire confidence
• Ability to influence and lead innovative work approaches
• Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace and in legal services

Desirable

Experience in the social housing sector, ideally for a housing association, local authority, or tenants in private practice.

About Us

Riverside is a leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisation, owning or managing around 75,000 homes across the UK. Our focus includes homelessness services, social care, and retirement living; we aim to build over 15,000 affordable homes in the next decade.