WDH

Job title Legal Officer
Reference W177/22
Location Wakefield District – Hybrid working with 2 days from the office per week
Salary £32,783 – £36,335
Hours 37
Closing date 8 January 2023
Contact Amiena Khan, Principal Legal Officer on 07976683417

We are looking for someone to join our Legal Services Team as a Legal Officer.

What you’ll be doing
In this role you will carry out WDH’s litigation function in relation to a wide range of housing and tenancy related issues. Responsibilities will include undertaking advocacy work, advising and representing WDH in court in relation to anti-social behaviour, disrepair actions, trespassing and alternative dispute resolution.

What we’re looking for

To join WDH in-house Legal department, we’re looking for someone with:

• a Law qualification at Level 6 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, such as a Degree, Award, Certificate or Diploma at level 6 or equivalent;
• the ability to resolve a range of legal problems;
• experience of working within a legal environment;
• Knowledge of Housing Law, litigation and court work;
• strong advocacy skills and presentation skills.;
• Knowledge of Criminal and Civil Litigation and the relevant rules of procedure;
• strong communication skills and the ability to manage your own caseload and have excellent IT and keyboard skills

The role requires you to have a valid UK driving licence and daily access to a vehicle as travel throughout the district and other locations is required.

For more details on what we’re looking for in this role, and to apply, please go to our website here.

As an employer WDH can offer you a great set of benefits which includes:
• 25 days holiday (rising to 30 over 5 years’ service) plus statutory bank holidays and Annual Leave Purchase Scheme;
• a very attractive pension scheme (15.7% employer contribution);
• a wide range of personal development opportunities;
• a fantastic health and wellbeing package; and
• “cycle to work” scheme and discounted shopping platform.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

About us:
Since WDH was established in 2005, we have gone from strength to strength. We are now one of the UK’s largest social housing providers, with over 32,000 homes across the Wakefield district and our wider operating area across the north of England.

Our vision is to create confident communities. This is underpinned by our mission which is to inspire, transform and promote excellence and our values – to be creative, inclusive and work with integrity.

WDH is much more than bricks and mortar. We go the extra mile to deliver excellent customer services. We innovate, create and regenerate. To find out more, visit our about us page.

Turpin Miller/Oxfordshire Welare Rights

Experienced Housing Solicitor or Caseworker
Competitive salary according to experience + excellent benefits including flexible working, part-time working considered

Closing date: 9 January 2023 at 11.30pm.

Turpin Miller LLP and Oxfordshire Welfare Rights are embarking on an exciting new joint venture to help widen access to housing legal services for the those in housing need in Oxford and the wider county of Oxfordshire through a jointly funded new post.

About Turpin Miller LLP

Turpin Miller LLP is an award-winning Oxford-based law firm established in 2012 and specialising in immigration and housing law advice. At a time when many firms have stopped providing housing legal aid, we have remained committed to providing access to justice in this incredibly important area of social welfare law. Our small and highly committed housing team provide advice and representation, mostly under legal aid, in all areas of housing law. We also run the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme in the Oxford and Reading Courts.

About Oxfordshire Welfare Rights

Oxfordshire Welfare Rights (OWR) is a specialist service, with expertise in social security law. We are a focal point across the county for organisations who need welfare benefit expertise to support their work. We accept referrals from other organisations (e.g. Citizens Advice Oxford, Social Services, Age UK, NHS) and undertake complex casework and tribunal representation for the whole of Oxfordshire. We also help people with debt issues including applying for Debt Relief Orders.

About the Role
Based between the offices of Turpin Miller and Oxfordshire Welfare Rights in Oxford, this is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of an innovative new partnership working to provide high quality housing legal advice to those in housing need under legal aid and on a pro bono basis.

About you
We are looking for someone with experience in providing housing legal advice, including on possession and homelessness, either as a solicitor or senior caseworker. You will be an empathetic, compassionate individual with excellent interpersonal skills. Proficiency using case management systems and Microsoft Office applications is also essential, with good typing skills preferred.

Applications by way of CV and covering letter to lcoyle@turpinmiller.co.uk and sdarby@oxfordshirewelfarerights.org.uk