Housing Disrepair Fee Earner
Imperium Financial Recruitment · Bolton, England ·
Job Description Housing Disrepair Fee Earner Location: Bolton Employment Type: Full-time, onsite Salary: Depending on experience Role Overview An excellent opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced Housing Disrepair Fee Earner to join an established Housing Disrepair team in Bolton.
You will manage a caseload of Housing Disrepair claims from initial instruction through to settlement, ensuring that matters are progressed efficiently and clients receive a consistently high standard of service. The role will involve reviewing evidence, assessing liability and quantum, progressing claims through the pre-action process, conducting negotiations and preparing cases for litigation where necessary.
You will work under the supervision of a Senior Housing Disrepair Solicitor, escalating complex, high-risk or litigated matters when appropriate. Key ResponsibilitiesCase Management and Progression Manage an allocated caseload of Housing Disrepair claims.
Take ownership of cases and ensure they are actively progressed towards resolution. Review new instructions and assess the merits, available evidence and appropriate next steps. Identify issues relating to notice, access, liability, causation, evidence and quantum.
Draft and serve Letters of Claim and other pre-action correspondence. Review landlord responses, disclosure documents, repair records and supporting evidence. Obtain and review photographs, tenancy documents and further evidence from clients.
Instruct and liaise with surveyors and other relevant experts. Review expert reports and identify any further evidence or action required. Maintain regular communication with clients and provide clear updates throughout their claims.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date case management records. Meet all internal, procedural and case progression deadlines. Negotiation and Settlement Progress claims to negotiation promptly once sufficient evidence is available.
Prepare clear, professional and well-reasoned responses to landlords and their legal representatives. Assess settlement offers with consideration for liability, evidence, quantum, repair works and litigation risk. Conduct negotiations with landlords, housing associations, local authorities and their legal representatives.
Obtain and accurately record client instructions regarding settlement offers. Advise clients clearly on the benefits and risks of accepting or rejecting an offer. Progress appropriate settlements covering compensation, repairs and legal costs.
Identify matters where negotiations have stalled and take appropriate action to move them forward. Escalate suitable cases for litigation instead of allowing them to remain inactive. Litigation Preparation Identify cases that may require court proceedings and escalate them to the supervising Solicitor.
Prepare files for litigation, ensuring all necessary evidence and documentation are available. Assist with drafting witness statements, schedules, pleadings and other litigation documents where appropriate. Support the supervising Solicitor with disclosure, expert evidence and preparation for hearings.
Monitor limitation dates and immediately escalate any potential procedural or limitation risks. Comply with court directions and litigation deadlines on allocated matters. Legal Quality and Compliance Conduct claims in accordance with the Housing Conditions Pre-Action Protocol and relevant housing legislation.
Follow established procedures, precedents and supervisory requirements. Produce accurate, professional and well-reasoned legal correspondence. Ensure that advice, decisions and client instructions are properly recorded on the case management system.
Identify and escalate legal, evidential, procedural, costs or compliance risks. Maintain high standards of client care and communication. Comply with SRA requirements and all relevant internal policies and procedures. Act constructively on supervisory feedback and contribute to ongoing training and development.
Essential Requirements Previous experience handling Housing Disrepair claims or working within a similar area of claimant civil litigation. A good understanding of Housing Disrepair claims and the relevant pre-action process.
Experience managing a caseload and progressing matters with appropriate supervision. The ability to review evidence and identify issues affecting liability and quantum. Strong written communication and legal drafting skills.
Confident negotiation skills. Excellent organisational and time-management abilities. The ability to manage a busy caseload and competing deadlines. Strong attention to detail. The ability to work independently while recognising when a matter requires escalation.
A commitment to delivering excellent client care and high-quality legal work. Desirable Requirements A law degree, LPC, SQE, CILEX qualification or another relevant legal qualification. Previous experience within a claimant Housing Disrepair practice.
Experience dealing with social housing providers and local authorities. Experience negotiating Housing Disrepair settlements. Experience drafting legal rebuttals and responding to liability disputes. Knowledge of claims involving damp and mould, leaks, structural defects, heating, ventilation and other housing-condition issues.
An understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules and County Court litigation. Experience preparing matters for issue or assisting with litigated claims. Experience supporting vulnerable clients. The Opportunity This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing legal team and take responsibility for a varied Housing Disrepair caseload.
The successful candidate will benefit from senior supervision, ongoing professional development and the opportunity to strengthen their experience in both pre-action and litigated claims.