Job Description:
Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd):
Regulated by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority, Duncan Lewis Solicitors was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in the City of London (Fenchurch Street EC3M), with offices nationwide. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories as a top-tier law firm in all of our key practice areas – “a diligent and professional team that is prepared to go the extra mile for its clients”. A paperless law firm with over 500 personnel that embraces hybrid-working, we service both corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages. We give people a voice - that is our ethos.
Recognised among The Times 200 Best Law Firms, we have been awarded Law Firm of the Year at the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards, reflecting our dedication to legal expertise and client service. We hold Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation for over 15 years, showcasing our commitment to professional development. Duncan Lewis is also Law Society Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 certified, ensuring excellence in practice management and data security.
We are committed to recruiting dedicated and talented professionals and welcome applications from exceptional candidates. At Duncan Lewis, we value training and diversity, and we take pride in our inclusive workforce.
Housing Department Background:
Noted for its "sustained legal conviction combined with outstanding advocacy" our Housing team, is ranked and recommended by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK for its services in social housing UK-wide, providing assistance to both landlords and tenants on all housing issues. We handle both publicly funded (legal aid) and privately funded legal services in homelessness, disrepair, unlawful eviction, succession for tenants, neighbourhood problems, and possession proceedings.
Our solicitors are highly experienced in finding solutions to housing disputes and aim to address the issues quickly and effectively. The department regularly represents clients at all court levels (including the appeal Courts) and is extensively experienced at handling all housing related judicial review matters at the High Court.
Main Responsibilities of the Role
Report directly to Department Director
Responsible for all aspects of Housing work and on occasions, where appropriate providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
Ability to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
Assisting with a diverse caseload of public and private housing matters, such as:
Homelessness applications and appeals
Disrepair claims
Eviction and possession proceedings
Property ownership disputes
Unlawful eviction cases
Succession rights for tenants
Neighbourhood and anti-social behaviour issues
Conducting your own advocacy where appropriate
Attending clients, taking instructions and preparing cases
Dealing with correspondence
Maintaining accurate time costing procedures
Implementing any recommendations made by your supervisor following monthly file reviews ensuring that these are dealt with promptly
Ensuring compliance with file management
Key Skills Required:
Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying
Strong management skills
Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster culture of positive change and encourage cross referrals
Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators
Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable client matters in a sensitive manner and resolve complicated practicalities involved in Housing issues
Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
Excellent analytical and organisational skills
Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment
Working knowledge of the publicly funded Housing work including legal representation and legal help and have the ability to service privately funded cases
Have extensive experience in dealing with all Housing related work
Experience in own advocacy is an advantage
Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills
What we offer
A fantastic supportive team
Strong career progression with support for legal awards and professional recognition
Attractive salary package with supervision bonus
SALARY STRUCTURE - HOUSING
SALARY
(London)
(Outside London)
NQ + *
£48,000
£46,500
1 Year PQE + *
£50,000
£48,500
2 Years PQE + *
£52,000
£50,000
3 Years PQE + *
£57,000
£55,000
5 Years Plus PQE + *
Negotiable
Negotiable
Supervision Bonus up to * +
up to £8,000
up to £7,400
* Terms and Conditions apply. Supervisor Bonus Per Annum:-
Supervise 1 Paralegal
£1,250
£1,150
Supervise 2 Paralegals
£1,750
£1,600
Supervise 3 Paralegals
£2,250
£2,100
Supervise 4 Paralegals
£2,750
£2,550
Total
£8,000
£7,400
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