Location: Halifax
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Department: Housing Disrepair
Experience: Previous legal or Housing Disrepair experience desirable but not essential
Education: Minimum 2:1 Law Degree required
Salary: Competitive + performance-related bonus opportunities
About the Role
Progress Law Solicitors is looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Housing Disrepair Paralegal to join our Housing Disrepair department.
This is an excellent opportunity for a law graduate with a minimum 2:1 Law Degree who wants to develop practical legal experience within a busy and growing department.
Previous Housing Disrepair or paralegal experience is desirable but not essential, as comprehensive training will be provided. We are more interested in finding someone who is intelligent, organised, confident, able to learn quickly and prepared to take ownership of their work.
This is more than a traditional administrative paralegal position. Alongside developing your own Housing Disrepair knowledge and case-handling skills, you will assist with the supervision and development of junior staff members.
You will work closely with experienced members of the Housing Disrepair department and will gradually take greater responsibility for reviewing files, providing instructions to junior staff members, monitoring performance and ensuring claims are progressed efficiently towards settlement or litigation.
Key Responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include:
- Assisting with the progression of Housing Disrepair claims from initial instruction through to settlement or litigation.
- Supervising and supporting designated junior staff members within the Housing Disrepair department.
- Conducting regular file reviews and identifying the next steps required to progress each claim.
- Reviewing correspondence and other work prepared by junior staff members.
- Ensuring key deadlines, tasks and chasers are correctly diarised and completed.
- Monitoring caseloads to identify files which are not progressing appropriately.
- Reviewing Letters of Claim and responses received from landlords and their solicitors.
- Reviewing landlord disclosure, repair records and supporting documentation.
- Reviewing expert surveyor reports and schedules of works.
- Developing the ability to assess liability, evidence and the potential value of Housing Disrepair claims.
- Reviewing settlement offers and assisting with negotiations.
- Communicating with clients, landlords, housing associations, solicitors, surveyors and other third parties.
- Ensuring clients receive regular and meaningful updates regarding their claims.
- Identifying matters requiring further legal input or litigation and escalating these appropriately.
- Conducting quality checks and spot checks on files.
- Providing clear instructions and constructive feedback to junior staff members.
- Identifying recurring errors, knowledge gaps and areas requiring additional training.
- Assisting with monitoring the performance and development of junior staff members.
- Working closely with supervisors and the Head of Department to improve file progression, settlement levels, quality and overall departmental performance.
- Maintaining accurate and organised electronic files using Clio Manage.
- Ensuring internal procedures, service standards and quality requirements are consistently followed.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a qualifying Law Degree with a minimum 2:1 classification.
- Have excellent written and spoken English.
- Have strong attention to detail.
- Be able to analyse documents and identify relevant information.
- Demonstrate strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Be confident communicating by telephone and email.
- Be comfortable managing multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Be able to work independently once appropriately trained.
- Be confident giving instructions and following up with others.
- Have good problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Be confident using technology and learning new systems.
- Be comfortable working within a fast-paced and performance-focused environment.
Desirable – But Not Essential
It would be advantageous if you have:
- Previous paralegal or legal work experience.
- Previous experience within Housing Disrepair.
- Knowledge of landlord and tenant law.
- Knowledge of the Housing Conditions Pre-Action Protocol.
- Experience working within a claimant law firm.
- Experience using legal case management systems.
- Experience reviewing legal correspondence or evidence.
- LPC or SQE studies/qualifications.
Candidates without previous Housing Disrepair experience are encouraged to apply. Full training will be provided to the right candidate.
The Person We Are Looking For
Academic ability is important, but we are equally interested in your attitude and approach to work.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Ambitious – you want to develop your legal career and take on greater responsibility.
- Commercially minded – you understand that files need to progress efficiently and achieve results.
- Accountable – you take ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do.
- Organised – you can manage competing priorities without losing track of deadlines.
- Analytical – you can review information, identify issues and reach sensible conclusions.
- Confident – you are comfortable communicating with clients, colleagues and third parties.
- Proactive – if something needs chasing or progressing, you act on it.
- A strong communicator – you can give clear instructions and explain issues simply.
- Willing to learn – you can take feedback, apply training and develop quickly.
Training & Development
We do not expect you to arrive knowing everything about Housing Disrepair.
You will receive structured training and support covering areas including:
- Housing Disrepair law and procedure.
- The Housing Conditions Pre-Action Protocol.
- Reviewing Letters of Claim and landlord responses.
- Reviewing disclosure and repair histories.
- Understanding expert surveyor reports.
- Assessing liability and quantum.
- Settlement negotiations.
- Client management.
- Case progression and litigation preparation.
- Using Clio Manage and our internal systems.
- File reviewing and quality control.
- Supervising and providing feedback to junior staff members.
As your knowledge and confidence develop, you will be given increasing responsibility within the department.
Career Progression
This role is designed for someone who wants to develop rather than remain in a purely administrative paralegal position.
There will be opportunities to develop experience in:
- Running Housing Disrepair matters.
- Settlement negotiations.
- Litigation preparation.
- Supervising junior staff members.
- Quality assurance.
- Training and development.
- Team management and leadership.
For the right candidate, there is significant scope to progress as the department continues to grow.
Pay: £23,793.00-£35,793.00 per year
Work Location: In person
