Job title: Senior Legal Officer x 4 – Civil Litigation and Housing
Salary: S02 £37,280 – £39,152
Hours: 37
Contract: Fixed term until 31/3/2028
Location: Hybrid / Civic Hall, Leeds
As a Senior Legal Officer, you’ll be part of the Housing Disrepair Team which currently has a team of 10 team members which form part of a large Lexcel-accredited Legal Service in delivering high quality legal services to the Council.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About You
As a Senior Legal Officer, you will bring to the role:
- Experience and enthusiasm for dealing with Housing Disrepair claims:
- The communication skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
- A willingness to be innovative and take a problem-solving approach to legal challenges
- Good interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn and develop
About the role
As a senior legal officer, you will play a key role in undertaking under supervision a large caseload of Housing Conditions Claims
The role is integral to our Housing Disrepair Team.
The role is fixed term and subject to a 6 month probationary period and pre- employment checks
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Rosemary Keczkes, Principal Legal Officer ( Team Leader Housing Disrepair ) on 0113 5350984 or by email at rosemary.keczkes@leeds.gov.uk
Interviews are provisionally planned to take place w/c 13th April 2026
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the visa routebefore applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job description
Job purpose Assist in conducting the defence of Housing Disrepair Litigation.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Housing Disrepair Team Leader dealing with the defence of Housing Conditions Claims.
- Be able to work collaboratively with Legal Services colleagues and Housing and the wider Council.
- Be able to work under pressure and manage a large caseload of Housing Conditions claims under supervision.
Qualifications
- Successful candidate will be a Member of CILEX ( level 6), Graduate Diploma in Law ( CPE) or a Degree in English Law or a non-legal degree level qualification or equivalent AND the applicant can demonstrate they have experience of working in a legal environment and dealing with legal work, 12 months experience in the past 5 years who will work in a lively and busy team of lawyers involved in a stimulating, challenging and rewarding environment.
Working Context
Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at our Leeds city centre office. Attendance may occasionally be required at other locations across the city and region due to court work. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, and the requirements of their individual role. The hours worked are Monday to Friday.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Knowledge and understanding of the law and practice relating to housing disrepair/ civil litigation.
- Able to demonstrate an ability to work under pressure and manage a large caseload of pre- litigated files.
- Be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and to Quality standards
- Previous advocacy skills
- It is essential that the successful candidate has good interpersonal skills, is able to prioritise their own workload, act as an advocate in contested hearings and work to tight court deadlines. They must be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of being a Healthy, Growing, Thriving and Resilient city.
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
