Principal Advocate - Housing Litigation

Location: Birmingham

Role: Principal Advocate - Housing Litigation

Hours: Permanent (36 hours - part time considered)

Salary: £54,495 - £64,811

Application deadline: 27/03/2026

Sellick Partnership is delighted to be working exclusively with one of the largest in-house legal services team in Europe.

If you are an experienced housing litigation advocate seeking your next challenge, I am keen to have a conversation!

The current vacancy for a Principal Advocate - Housing Litigation will see you manage hearings and trials on behalf of your colleagues. The lawyers you will work with are friendly and supportive, with a strong team ethic. The role will involve frequent travel to the courts in central Birmingham, so applicants must be based locally to ensure court times are adhered to. Applicants will have higher rights of audience (or be willing to obtain these) so all hearings can be covered in-house. You must be able to demonstrate excellent advocacy skills and experience and thorough knowledge of relevant courts and tribunals procedure.

As the new Principal Advocate - Housing Litigation you will be an integral part of this in-house legal team, delivering advocacy services and support to the team. Applicants from a range of legal backgrounds will be considered. Applicants must have considerable experience in housing litigation and conduct of advocacy in related hearings. A local government background would be ideal, but candidates from private practice will be considered. It is paramount that you see advocacy as the best part of your role and are able to represent at all levels in court.

Daily duties will include:

• To take instructions from colleagues as an alternative to counsel.
• Acting as a lead legal advisor to ensure compliance with statutory duties and obligations, to protect the best interests of the Council.
• Appearing as advocate in the central Birmingham courts representing the Council, undertaking a wide range of hearings.
• Hearings will include matters relating to ASB, housing conditions (disrepair), possessions and injunctions.
• Providing evidential strengths and weaknesses in a case and advising on appropriate next steps or options.

You will be a positive and highly motivated person who is confident, versatile and innovative. This post will focus on work relating to housing law. The post will involve 95% advocacy at court hearings on behalf of the team, and 5% case management. You will be a strong communicator with excellent advocacy skills. You will be directly involved in high-quality legal work and make a positive difference to the community. The housing work covered will relate to matters such as ASB, disrepair (housing conditions), closure orders, non-rental possessions, breach of tenancy, enforcement of fencing and rights.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an established lawyer with a good understanding of housing law, as well as the political and economic environment in general, to join a progressive organisation. This post advises on public law and regulatory issues in connection with a range of powers exercised by the local authority. As such, it is key that the post holder is able to not simply follow the letter of the law but understands the need to work within the constraints that come from working in local government.

Flexible and non-traditional working patterns are encouraged, and you can work on a full-time or part-time basis.

You will be a qualified Solicitor/Barrister/FILEX with a current Practising Certificate. You will ideally possess higher rights of audience (or be willing to obtain these). You will join a sizable team of lawyers and support staff. In return for your experience, commitment, and motivation, you will enjoy working in a modern environment, with a competitive salary and benefits package.

For more information on this opportunity, please contact Kate Jasper in our Manchester office or apply today!

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.