Housing Litigation Lawyer (12-month locum)

About the role

We are seeking a Housing Litigation Lawyer on a 12-month locum contract to join Manchester City Council’s Legal Services team. The role involves managing a varied caseload of housing‑related matters while providing high‑quality advice to the council and external housing clients.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of social housing matters, including disrepair claims, anti‑social behaviour injunctions, possession proceedings and estate management issues.
• Provide legal advice to council departments and social‑housing providers.
• Draft legal documentation such as statements of case, correspondence and instructions to counsel.
• Conduct advocacy in County Court and Magistrates’ Court when required.
• Carry out legal research and stay updated on developments in housing law and civil procedure.
• Maintain accurate case files in line with quality‑assurance standards.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Legal Services to deliver effective support.

Required profile

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with Civil Litigation Rights.
• Experience or strong interest in housing law, civil litigation or local‑authority legal work.
• Ability to manage a caseload with supervision and meet competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.

Required skills

• Legal research.
• Drafting legal documents.
• Advocacy in County Court and Magistrates’ Court.

What we offer

• 12‑month locum contract, full‑time.
• Competitive salary of £46,000‑£54,000 per year.
• Opportunity to work within a supportive local‑authority environment and develop expertise in housing litigation.
• Access to mentorship from senior legal professionals.