Interim Housing Disrepair Lawyer
| Posting date: | 09 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £65.0 to £75.0 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | £65-£75 per hour (DOE) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 January 2026 |
| Location: | Southend-On-Sea, Essex, SS2 6ER |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 4760088_1767977371 |
Summary
Your new company
A local authority in the South East is seeking an experienced Housing Disrepair Lawyer to join its Legal Services team on an interim basis. The organisation is undergoing a period of change as it brings previously outsourced housing disrepair work back in-house. This is a key opportunity to contribute to the development of new internal processes and help build the council's capacity in a growing area of demand.
Your new role
You will manage a varied caseload of housing disrepair matters and support the transition of work from external providers. Responsibilities will include:
- Handling housing disrepair files from end to end
- Conducting litigation (and attending hearings on occasion)
- Developing templates, workflows and procedures to support effective in‑house delivery
- Supporting and guiding colleagues as internal capability grows
- Managing costs elements of cases and contributing to improved case-handling practices
You'll be working autonomously, supporting the council through a period of operational improvement.
What you'll need to succeed
To be successful, you must be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with solid experience in housing disrepair litigation. You will also need:
- Strong end‑to‑end case management experience
- Experience with costs negotiations and case closure processes
- Confidence handling hearings independently
- The ability to set up or refine legal processes and documentation
- A proactive, organised and solutions‑focused approach
Experience in a local authority environment is beneficial but not essential if you have strong housing disrepair expertise.
What you'll get in return
- Competitive hourly rate of £65-£75, depending on experience
- One day per week office attendance
- 3‑month rolling contract
- The opportunity to shape and influence new internal legal processes
- A supportive team environment within a public sector organisation undergoing positive change
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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