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£24.53 per hour – PAYE

£30.62p per hour – UMBRELLA

Full Time

6 Month Contract Initially

London – Hybrid, 1 day per week from home after the first 4 weeks.

Role Purpose

* Completing the necessary casework for Pre-Action Disrepair cases

* Maintaining accurate case records, monitoring deadlines and supporting the overall team in effective management of legal disrepair casework

* Liaising with Disrepair Surveyors and Contract Manager in relation to remedial works.

Main Responsibilities

* Complete initial case requirements such as acknowledging claims and providing 6.2 disclosure to the opposing solicitors.

* Liaise with surveyors regarding inspections of properties and monitoring the receipt of expert reports in line with case demand.

* Completing 6.3 Landlord’s Responses to a high standard by cross referencing Council and Claimant evidence with expert reports and calculating damages and agreeing the scope and timescale for repairs.

* Negotiating settlement of Pre-Action Protocol cases with opposing solicitors when 6.3 Landlord Responses are not agreed in line with case law and required works.

* Identifying cases which require escalation

* Adopt Witness Statements and Defences; and attend Court when necessary for cases which escalate to litigation.

* Managing a varied workload and prioritising urgent cases based on the financial and reputational risk.

* To undertake a central role in the defence and management of legal claims to minimise costs and reputational impact.

* Carry out root cause analysis of claims to identify any problems to be addressed within the Repairs Service and any opportunities for reducing the incidence of legal disrepair.

* Liaise with legal colleagues on individual cases as necessary and on more general issues such as procedure and interpretation of legislation and case law.

* Ensure that all deadlines and actions are completed within the operational deadlines set by the Senior Disrepair Manager and legal deadlines set by the Civil Procedure Rules.

* Establish and maintain good lines of communication with other key stakeholders, both Haringey Council and [external bodies/in-house legal]

* Maintaining robust records on Our Clients operating systems.

* Providing analysis of key areas of concern when required by the Senior Disrepair Manager.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

* Knowledge of the legal framework relating to disrepair

* Experience of dealing with potentially difficult people in potentially difficult situations

* Delivering excellent standards of customer service and the ability to deliver accurate and clear communications in writing, face to face or by telephone

* Experience of preparing and issuing performance reports

* Knowledge of relevant legislation

* Understanding and demonstrating awareness of cultural and community diversity

* Effective relationship/client or stakeholder management

* Excellent IT skills, with experience in using various IT systems including Microsoft Office packages and Housing Management systems

* In depth knowledge of the activities of Social Housing

* Experience of liaising directly with solicitors and attending court as a witness on legal disrepair related matters

* Working level of literacy and numeracy relevant to the role

If this role is of interest and you meet the above criteria, then please apply immediately