Full job descriptionHousing Disrepair Fee Earner

Location: Bolton
Employment Type: Full-time, onsite
Salary: Depending on experience
Role OverviewAn 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 OpportunityThis 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.