LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH FINANCE AND RESOURCES JOB DESCRIPTION Function: Senior Housing Lawyer - Disrepair Job Title: Senior Housing Lawyer Disrepair Responsible to: Principal Lawyer – Housing Responsible for: x Lawyers x Legal Assistant x Paralegal staff Grade: PO7 Department: Finance & Resources Section: Legal Services Key purpose of the job: · To assist the Principal Lawyer – Housing and the Assistant Director of Legal Services in ensuring the Council receives cost effective high quality legal advice that enables it to determine its policies and achieve its objectives within the scope of its powers and capabilities. · To lead on behalf of the Principal Lawyer – Housing and the Assistant Director of Legal Services in delivering advice and legal support to the Council in the area of Housing Law and Disrepair such and other areas as are allocated from time to time. · To manage the Housing Disrepair team and to assist the Principal Lawyer – Housing in the overall management of the Housing Section. · The provision of briefings and training to senior managers within the Council on new developments in the law to ensure that the Council acts within the law at all times. Principal Accountabilities 1. Provision of high-level Corporate and Service legal advice to the Council, the Executive, Committees, Executive Directors and Departments in the area of housing law and Disrepair as required by the Principal Lawyer – Housing and the Assistant Director of Legal Services of Legal Services from time to time. 2. To lead on behalf of Legal Services in such Corporate projects and initiatives as required from time to time. 3. To assess the impact of legislative and case law changes on the Council's functions, strategies and policies. 4. To ensure that the provision of legal advice to Departments, Professional Boards, Scrutiny Committees and the Cabinet enables them to develop strategies and develop and deliver services and transact business within powers and constraints which apply. 5. To represent the Council in proceedings when required by the Principal Lawyer - Housing and the Assistant Director of Legal Services. 6. To manage, supervise and appraise staff as necessary. 7. To implement the Council’s Equal Opportunities policies and to work actively to overcome discrimination on grounds of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexuality or status in the Council’s service. 8. To undertake other tasks as determined by the operational needs of the legal section as may be reasonably allocated from time to time. 9. To provide wide ranging corporate legal advice in connection with the Council's operations and functions; Specific Accountabilities: 10. To ensure the provision of high quality cost effective specialist legal advice guidance and support in the field of housing law and disrepair to senior management within the Council; 11. To represent the Council in proceedings in any legal proceedings as required. 12. To manage the Housing Disrepair team and all support staff and to undertake their supervision and appraisal. 13. To liaise with the Housing Department in developing and implementing corporate policy, best practice and guidance on housing issues as required. 14. To liaise with external suppliers of legal services as required. 15. To provide regular reports to the client department in relation to performance and costs as and when required. 16. To closely monitor the budget for the provision of these services, reporting as necessary to the Principal Lawyer – Housing and the Assistant Director of Legal Services and relevant Executive Directors. 17. To attend Housing Scrutiny Sub Committee and other committees as legal adviser as and when required. Senior Housing Lawyer Knowledge Thorough knowledge of all aspects of housing and local authority law. Relevant Experience Substantial demonstrable experience working as a barrister/ solicitor/legal executive, preferably with some management experience. Key Competencies M1 M3 M5 M6 M7 M8 M10 M12 M15 M20 Leading & Motivating. Provides clear and equitable leadership, motivating others to maximise their performance. Delegating Effectively. Delegates clearly and fully, monitoring progress regularly and giving timely support where necessary. Building Effective Partnerships. Develops productive working relationships with staff group, colleagues and all potential partners in service delivery. Communicating In Writing. Writes clearly and succinctly, conveying key information effectively and creating a positive impact. Communicating Orally. Speaks in a clear and confident way, getting the key points across to a diversity of audiences. Analysing & Evaluating. Reaches sound judgements after careful and systematic evaluation of relevant facts. Making Decisions. Resolves problems effectively after exploring the options and considering the implications. Planning Strategically. Develops a clear longer term vision which is aligned with future demands, strategic direction and external influences. Exercising Political Awareness. Recognises the importance of politics and politicians and works accordingly. Managing Diversity. Ensures oppressive practices are effectively tackled, promoting positive recognition of differences, mutual respect and merit-based opportunity. Experience in managing a team handling a caseload of housing claims under s.11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act, s.82 of the Environmental Protection Act and leasehold disrepair and to run a caseload of disrepair claims on behalf of Council landlord. Communicate effectively with clients, experts and counsel. Liaise with and build positive and professional relationships across the business.