Lawyer (Property & Housing)

We are looking for an experienced Lawyer to join our Property and Housing team at Durham County Council.

Our highly skilled and professional Property and Housing team deal with all aspects of legal property and housing work, including commercial, agricultural, residential, landlord and tenant and housing matters. You will be responsible for drafting and negotiating legal documentation and will provide advice to officers, members and outside bodies.

We actively promote a positive work / life balance and support wellbeing. We offer flexible home and office working, a friendly and supportive working environment and a wealth of interesting work.

What is involved?

You will work with our Senior Lawyer and other members of the Property and Housing team, and with colleagues in the Council's wider legal team, across all areas of work covered by the team.

You will be responsible for your own caseload, providing a professional legal service with support from our dedicated team of Legal Officers and Legal Assistants, and assist the Senior Lawyer on occasion. You will also provide front-line supervision of, and advice and guidance to, the Legal Officers and Legal Assistants, so there is an excellent opportunity for the post holder to develop their management skills.

Now is an exciting time to join us as we develop our services and look for new and innovative ways of working.

What will I need?

We are looking for a highly skilled lawyer with experience in housing and property matters. You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEx conveyancing practitioner with a current practising certificate (though we will consider those about to qualify having completed all academic stages).

You will also need:

• Knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, procedures and good practice.
• Good organisation and communication skills.
• Enthusiasm, determination, and the drive to achieve results.

Please use the 'Person Specification' section of the Job description to demonstrate in your Cover Letter that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

Benefits and rewards:

We can offer you a range of employee benefits including competitive salaries, a generous leave entitlement of up to 32 days, a government pension scheme and various flexible and hybrid working options (benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions).

Take a look at our comprehensive rewards and benefits package at the link below:-

https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits

Hybrid working:

Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion:

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise the value of difference, having a diverse talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and can provide support throughout the recruitment process, for more information please refer to the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion page on our website.

For an Information conversation and to learn more please contact Brian Gallagher via or call 07716 098175