Principal Housing Lawyer – Kirklees Council
Salary: £51,356 – £56,494 + £3,000 market supplement (up to c.£59,500)
Working pattern: Hybrid – 1–2 days per fortnight in the office
The role
This is a senior housing law role with real influence. You’ll act as a subject matter expert across a broad housing law remit, supporting the Council on complex, high-profile matters and helping shape how housing services are delivered in practice.
You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, including the Director of Housing, and have a genuine voice in how legal input informs decision-making, advising on housing litigation strategy, policy development, and the legal frameworks underpinning housing delivery.
You’ll join a well-established and collaborative litigation team made up of experienced lawyers, legal officers, and paralegals. There’s a strong support structure in place, allowing you to focus on high-quality legal work.
What you’ll be doing
- Managing a varied caseload of complex housing and property litigation matters
- Acting as a trusted adviser on all aspects of housing law, including policy and governance
- Supporting the development and implementation of housing strategy from a legal perspective
- Advising on wider local government matters where required, including public law issues
- Working closely with senior officers and elected members, providing clear, pragmatic advice
- Supporting and mentoring junior lawyers and legal officers
- Sharing light-touch management responsibilities with other Principal Lawyers in the team
About you
- A qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEX with a current practising certificate
- Strong experience across housing law, ideally including litigation, policy, and advisory work
- Broader exposure to areas such as property litigation, public law, or local government law
- Confidence operating at a senior level, with the ability to influence and challenge
- A collaborative mindset and willingness to support the development of others
- Some supervisory experience or the aptitude to take this on in a light-touch capacity
Why this role stands out
- Genuine influence – direct access to senior leadership and input into housing policy
- Breadth of work – not just disrepair, but the full spectrum of housing law
- Flexibility – minimal office requirement and a supportive hybrid setup
- Shape your role – scope to lean into your interests and strengths over time
…