Legal Officer

We’re building thriving communities as one of the UK’s largest housing groups and a leading developer of affordable housing.

We believe everyone is entitled to a good home they can afford, in a place they are proud to live. More than 100,000 people live in our homes.

If you want to experience work that’s truly rewarding, join us. Because when we achieve together, customers and communities thrive.

Work for Orbit. Believe in people.

**The role**

Working hours are shift based between 8am and 8pm Monday - Friday - main hours predominantly between 8am to 6pm.

This is a vital role within the department as you will be responsible for representing Orbit Group in the management of all legal cases regarding income recovery. You will work closely with Court Officers to provide advice and assistance on all areas related to legal enforcement work and any other tenancy enforcement and negotiation.

The team work in an agile manner, so the role will involve a split of working in the office and working from home.

This role is part of Customer & Communities where you'll help us to lead the way keeping our promise to more than 100,000 customers.

**What you'll achieve**
- You will be responsible for taking ownership of cases whilst providing specialist advice and support to internal colleagues on all aspects of rent recovery
- Work across wider Income team and customer teams to ensure all information recorded is accurate and case management is kept up to date.
- Ensure all court paperwork is relevant, kept up to date and follow company policy and relevant legal procedures
- Resolve cases at pace, gather evidence, work to gain injunction through court proceedings.
- Work to ensure that income is maximised and the correct court orders are obtained to safeguard and protect the reputation or Orbit as a landlord

**What you'll bring**

**Essential skills**
- Experience of dealing with high risk arrears case management and performance case reviews
- Good understanding of domestic budgeting, debt management, Welfare Reform and benefit regulations
- Excellent understanding of housing law, legislation, CPR for both mandatory and discretionary possession grounds.
- Experience in dealing with and understanding, court etiquette, case law, court directions & Equality Act particularly in relation to debt recovery including the county court process.
- An understanding of best practice in arrears collection and of related legal issues - Income collection experience at all levels

**Desirable skills**
- Experience within a formal court setting.

**Why Orbit?**

Choosing us means being rewarded in every sense.

Here’s what you can expect to enjoy with us.

**A rewarding experience that works for you**

We strive to create an inclusive experience with benefits and wellbeing programmes designed to help you, and your loved ones, to thrive. For a better work life balance, we offer flexible working opportunities for many roles.

**A place to progress**

From training programmes to professional qualifications, we provide opportunities to learn and develop at every stage of your career. Whether you’re a student, graduate or experienced professional we’ll support you to grow.

For leaders, our tailored development journeys are designed to stretch and strengthen your leadership skills. As well as practical training, we give you access to renowned business schools and experiential programmes for greater breadth and depth of learning.

**A purpose to feel proud of**

We’re proud to make a difference to people together. We’re values-driven with a commercial focus on performance - because the more profit we make, the more we can achieve for people.

What brings us together is a passionate belief in progress and people.

Read more about the values and purpose that drive us on our careers website.***

**How we hire**

We aim to make our hiring process simple and fair:

- Interview(s)
- Decision and offer