Legal Assistant - Disrepair - REQ000915

Job title: Legal Assistant (Disrepair)

Salary: £27,711 - £30,060

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Leeds City Council is looking to recruit a full time permanent Legal Assistant (Housing Disrepair). The post holder will be required to carry out work within the Housing Disrepair Team , primarily in the area of Housing Disrepair.

It is essential that the successful candidate has good interpersonal skills, is able to prioritise work in the Legal Services Housing Disrepair inbox and work to tight deadlines. They must be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.

The post attracts local authority benefits including: access to West Yorkshire Pension Scheme; generous annual leave entitlement; training and development; flexible working, including working from home.

Our council values are at the heart of everything we do:-

Being open, honest and trusted – being your best
Treating people fairly – feeling like you count
Spending money wisely – making every pound go further
Working as a team for Leeds – being part of a team with a “can do” attitude
Working with people, engaging all communities – being proud to make a difference

Leeds City Council is an award winning and progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Rosemary Keczkes (Housing Disrepair Team Leader) on 0113 5350984 or at rosemary.keczkes@leeds.gov.uk

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

To assist in the carrying out of legal and administrative work in relation to any of the functions and services of the Council, primarily within the Housing Disrepair team.

Responsibilities:

To undertake a personal workload of matters in relation to Housing Disrepair/Condition claims which will include but not be limited to:
Drafting, issuing and serving Court and Tribunal documents.
Preparing cases for hearing in the Courts and Tribunals, including drafting letters, collating documents, arranging for the attendance of witnesses at Court and Tribunals.
Attendance at Court and Tribunals with Counsel
Post-Court work to inform Client Departments of all outcomes.
Maintaining and operating computerised systems.
Dealing with enquiries/correspondence from external solicitors, members of the public, Council Departments and other agencies.
Providing administrative support as required.
To participate in Team meetings and to take appropriate action in relation to matters arising at those meetings as
To contribute to initiatives within the Team, Section, Unit and Service
To receive such training as is
To live the Council’s values in demonstrable ways.
To take personal responsibilities under and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.

To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the following:

The Council’s Policies and Codes of Practice.
The Council’s Constitution.
Legal Services’ Standards, Objectives, Targets and Timescales.
Legal Services’ Lexcel Procedures.
To carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other teams and colleagues as, from time to time, may reasonably be required, which are commensurate with the grade, experience training and level of responsibility within the Council identified by the You may be required to attend meetings, tribunals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method Of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Qualifications

Two A levels (A-C) or Paralegal qualification (E.g. Affiliate member of CILEX -includes completion of

5 CILEX level 3 units) or equivalent qualification.

Four GCSEs (Grade A-C) or equivalent including Maths and English or appropriate alternative qualifications-for example level 3 NVQ in Administration and the applicant can demonstrate she/he has experience of working in a legal environment. 12 months experience in the past 5 years.

Skills required

Ability to prioritise and organise
Ability to work within time constraints.
Ability to work and communicate effectively as a member of a
Ability to relate effectively to people at different levels inside and outside the
Possess or have an ability to develop IT
Ability to grasp and assimilate new information
Ability to work with minimum supervision within a supportive
To draft and prepare clear and concise documents, reports, letters and memoranda.
Liaise with all levels of the Council and other

Behavioural and Other Related Characteristics

Willing to abide by the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the
Willing to take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council's Health and Safety
Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the
Conscientious and committed approach towards completing tasks accurately and to deadlines to achieve the Division's
A commitment to manage change in a positive
A professional approach and
A commitment to assist in the development and provision of high quality legal services.
A willingness to work occasionally beyond normal
A willingness to adapt an innovative approach to work.
A commitment to the effective working of Legal and Democratic Services and the objectives of Leeds City

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Knowledge required

A basic knowledge of general office procedures and
Knowledge of Quality Management Systems and Best

Experience required

Experience of working with Quality Management Systems.
Experience of working as an effective member of a team.

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