Lead Lawyer - Housing - WMF2443e

Connected Local Government; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK seeks a Lead Lawyer to support housing work. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge in property law, grant agreements, and government-funded schemes. Responsibilities include being the primary contact for legal inquiries and providing advice to council officers. The role comes with a competitive pension scheme and enhanced annual leave. The application deadline is December 29, 2025, with interviews set for January 12, 2026.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave

Various discounts and perks

Qualifications

• Experience in property, housing, and regeneration matters.
• Good working knowledge of local government law.
• Ability to meet deadlines and provide effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Key contact for legal enquiries related to housing.
• Advise officers and elected members as needed.
• Attend Council Committees and working groups.

Skills

Property and housing law

Preparation of grant agreements

Advising on government-funded schemes

Negotiating contracts

Awareness of S106 Agreements

Housing litigation

Job description

A great opportunity has arisen at Westmorland and Furness Council within our Legal Team for a Lead Lawyer to support on the Council’s Housing work.

To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience and have a good working knowledge in some or all of the following:

• property, housing and regeneration matters, as well as a broad understanding of local government law.
• preparing grant agreements including provisions to secure affordable housing in perpetuity.
• advising on the authority’s role in delivery of government-funded schemes e.g. relating to delivery of energy performance and low carbon heating upgrades.
• preparing and negotiating grant agreements and contracts.
• awareness and ideally some experience of advising on S106 Agreements.
• housing and disrepair litigation.

The role will be the key contact / Business Partner for legal enquiries relating to Housing in the Council.

Who we are looking for…

You will be a strong team player with a proven track record of delivering to deadlines, have effective communication skills and be able to use sound judgement to solve problems.

You will be used to working in a busy pressurised environment and will enjoy a challenge.

A commitment to delivering the best possible service for the benefit of our residents and clients, is required.

You must have good IT literacy skills and an ability to use electronic publications for the purpose of legal work and research are critical.

Other duties will include dealing with a range of matter including providing advice to officers and elected members, attending Council Committees and working groups as required.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 29 December 2025

Interview date: 12 January 2026

To apply please click theApply Nowlink below.