Last updated: Friday 17 August, 2018
Housing Solicitor
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About the Job

The Fylde Coast Advice and Legal Centre exists to provide assistance to the poorer members of society and provides access to justice. It is located physically in Blackpool, Lancashire, but covers the Fylde Coast area, which is on the north west coast. Like many seaside towns, Blackpool and parts of Fleetwood have high levels of deprivation. In some wards the child poverty is higher than 50%.
The Centre is a community advice and legal centre and is managed by its Management Committee who are members of the community who are committed to provide a service for the poor and underprivileged and those who are marginalised and/or discriminated against in one way or another.
The Centre has passed the SQM desktop audit and is currently awaiting the uploading of its Legal Aid Agency contracts in housing, debt and welfare benefits.
The Centre is ideally seeking an experienced housing solicitor to join our housing team to provide a full housing law casework service under a Legal Aid Agency contract. The solicitor will ideally already meet the LAA Supervisor standard for housing or be prepared to achieve that within a reasonable period of time.
Ideally we seek a full-time solicitor (but would consider part-time) with the following qualities.
We are seeking a solicitor who is PQE 3 years plus to become part of our team!
You will demonstrate excellent communication skills and the drive to succeed. There will be a performance-based bonus as well.
Responsibilities:
Supervise all staff and volunteers.
Undertake casework in relation to housing, employment and social welfare law dependent on experience (training will be provided where necessary).
Understand clients' specific needs through consultation and provide the best solutions.
Comply with the Centre's ethos and the standards imposed by the SRA.
Meet the objectives of the organisations and targets set in terms of legal aid.
Qualifications:
MUST be an admitted solicitor with at least 3 years' PQE.
Previous experience within the areas above. However training will be provided in the event of not having such experience.
Ability to build rapport with clients and empathise with their position.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Positive and professional demeanour, and the ability to network and identify social policy issues.
For an application pack please contact Ron Heywood (Management Committee secretary) Fylde Coast Advice & Legal Centre, 43 General Street, Blackpool, FY1 1SG, tel. 01253 206328, or email recruitment@fyldelegalcentre.co.uk.
Closing date 12 noon on Friday 29th August 2018
The salary offered is dependent on experience: an applicant meeting the supervisor standard would start at £28,485 per annum for a 35-hour week plus performance-related pay.
FCALC is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all who hold the required qualifications above.