community law service northampton & county

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: HOUSING and COURT DUTY WORKER

SALARY: Circa £28,900 per annum dependent on experience + 5% pension contribution (employee to also contribute 5%).

HOURS: 35 hours per week; can be worked flexibly around core hours (08:00 – 18:00) subject to covering court sessions.

LOCATION. Court duty session at Milton Keynes County Court on Mondays and Peterborough County Court Wednesdays. Some flexibility on days is required if court days change. Attendance at office 49-53 Hazelwood Road Northampton on other days to undertake a small amount of housing casework and community outreach work as required within Northamptonshire.

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Housing Supervisor

BENEFITS: 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (31 after 5 years’ service) 5% employer pension contribution. Optional hybrid working after probationary period. Flexible working hours (within core hours). Contractual sick pay (after probationary period).

PURPOSE OF POST: To attend local courts on a sessional basis to provide immediate assistance, advice and representation for un-represented clients facing repossession hearings. To contribute to the Service’s housing casework via client interviews (in CLS offices and/or community venues).

Main Duties:

● To attend at repossession hearing sessions at the specified County Courts

● To assist litigants in person by providing on the day representation for clients in hearings, with the Judge’s permission.

● To negotiate with lenders/landlords on behalf of clients.

To give advice to clients who wish to present their own cases.

To create case records on the Service’s case management system to enable administrators to confirm advice/court decisions in writing to the client. At busier times, the advisor may be required to contribute to this.

● To conduct housing casework.

To assist the Housing Solicitor with cases which involve the conduct of litigation (note the solicitor must always have close oversight and approve all actions related to the litigation).

To comply with Lexcel quality mark standards as detailed in the Service’s Office Manual.

● To comply with The Legal Aid Agency contract criteria, ensuring all relevant evidence is on file.

To liaise and maintain a working relationship with the County Courts and local organisations in both the statutory and voluntary sector.

● To ensure statistical information is recorded accurately and regularly on the Service’s case management system.

● To attend community outreach venues as requested across Northamptonshire.

To contribute to the overall function of the Housing Team to ensure continuity of service for clients.

● To ensure all work undertaken is compliant with the Legal Services Act 2007.

● To participate in staff meetings as required.

● To keep up to date with current legislation and policy in relation to Housing law

● To attend in-house training and external training courses as agreed with the Supervisor.

● To perform any other duties as appropriate.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

KNOWLEDGE

● Good knowledge of Housing Law particular in respect of repossession.

Good knowledge of the powers of both priority and non-priority creditors in the enforcement and recovery of debt.

● Good knowledge of County Court practice and procedures.

● A knowledge of welfare benefits (training can be provided)

● A good understanding of the services offered by the statutory sector and other agencies.

EXPERIENCE

Recent experience of providing specialist housing advice including handling rent/mortgage arrears.

Experience of assisting clients in the County Court in relation to repossession hearings.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Excellent communication skills – the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

● Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise work.

● Good administrative skills including word processing.

Excellent negotiation/advocacy skills.

● A flexible, teamwork approach.

● A commitment to equality of opportunity.

● A non-judgmental approach.

● Self motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a team.

● Ability to work effectively in partnership with other agencies whilst maintaining the confidentiality and independence of the Service.

Applicants must have a current driving licence and use of a car. Applicants will also be required to undertake a DBS check.