Legal Counsel

SNG (Sovereign Network Group) is one of the largest housing associations in England. We provide over 85,000 homes and invest in communities across the South, West and East of England, including London, as well as building thousands of new affordable homes every year.

We are seeking an experiencedand motivated Solicitor to join our in-house legal team in Basingstoke, working hybrid 2 days per week in the officec. You'll be providing specialist legal support and advice on housing litigation matters - with a focus on Anti-Social Behaviour. This is a key role within the organisation, supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality homes for our residents while managing legal risk and ensuring effective resolution of housing management issues.

You will work closely with colleagues across Housing, Property Services, Compliance, and Customer Engagement to provide timely legal advice, manage pre-action and litigated matters and help reach practical resolutions to housing management disputes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of housing management matters, including injunction applications and possession claims
• Draft and review pleadings, witness statements, instructions to counsel, and settlement agreements.
• Liaise with internal client teams, external solicitors, and local authorities when required.

Legal Advice & Support

• Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to internal stakeholders on Anti-social behaviour and housing management matters.
• Advise operational teams on legal risks.
• Support early intervention strategies to reduce the risk of counterclaims.

Internal Collaboration and process improvements

• Work with the Housing teams to ensure timely instructions, accurate evidence and effective legal work.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of internal policies, procedures, and training.
• Assist in implementing learning from cases across the business to improve the resident experience and prevent problems from reoccurring.

Risk & Compliance

• Ensure legal compliance with legislation.
• Maintain accurate and detailed case records.
• Monitor legal trends and emerging risks across the housing sector to support organisational risk management

Personal Specification

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a current practicing certificate
• Experience in housing law or civil litigation either in-house or in private practice
• Excellent drafting, communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to balance legal risk with practical operational realities
• Strong organisational and case management abilities

Desirable

• Experience working with or within a social housing provider or local authority
• Experience providing training to non-legal colleagues
• Strong knowledge of landlord and tenant law

Why Join Us?

At SNG, you'll be part of a purpose-driven organisation that values fairness, inclusion, and supporting the wellbeing and development of our people.

Great benefits including:

• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)

• Option to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package

• 3 extra paid Wellbeing days and 2 paid volunteering days

• Generous matched pension scheme up to 12% and Life cover at 4x salary

• Enhanced maternity/adoption pay

• Enhanced paternity pay - 6 weeks full pay (after 26 weeks' service)

• Options for private medical insurance, dental insurance and critical illness cover

• Wellbeing discounts, including Gym Memberships and access to a 24/7 virtual GP service

If this sounds like the opportunity you're looking for, we'd love to hear from you