South West London Law Centres (London) – Housing and Welfare Benefits Paralegals

Salary: £27,418 p.a, plus 4% pension contributions

Reports to: Housing Solicitor, Head of Legal Practice, CEO

Line Manages: Volunteers assigned to the project

Term: Permanent (subject to funding, which is currently in place for 1-2 years)

Based at: This is an office based role, with a permanent base at our Merton office.

Hours: Full time – 35 hours per week

Closing date for applications: 11 November 2024 at 9am

We will offer interviews from 18 November.

SWLLC is recruiting two housing and welfare benefits paralegals. Our 10 person housing team is made up of five solicitors, three paralegals (including these roles) and two trainees. The work of the team is highly specialised Legal Aid casework within which each team member has their own specialism, but there is a large element of possession casework undertaken. SWLLC has three housing court duty contracts in Croydon, Kingston and Wandsworth.

We developed this role in response to rising community need for housing advice and in order that we can carry out early legal advice under the HLPAS contract. This is an entry level legal role suitable for someone with some knowledge of housing law who wants to develop their experience and knowledge with a view to specialising in this area. For those who prove themselves in the role, there may be an opportunity to progress into the legal aid team. You will have the opportunity to participate in the housing possession court duty scheme.

As well as working on housing cases, you will answer calls on our weekly housing advice line and attend community locations to deliver housing advice on an outreach basis.

As you progress in your role we will support you to develop your skills and to progress your legal career.

Aspects of the role may be considered Qualifying Work Experience for the purposes of developing a portfolio for qualification through the SQE route.

To apply, please forward to recruitment@swllc.org your CV together with a cover letter of no more than two pages of A4 setting out how you meet the person’s specifications and why you would like to work with South West London Law Centres.

The full job description can be found here.

Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

If you would like to have a brief informal chat to discuss the role, please contact us at recruitment@swllc.org.