Liverpool law firm Broudie Jackson Canter adds a new litigation executive to its housing law team

Broudie Jackson Canter has hired a new litigation executive to work in its housing law team in Liverpool.

Barbara McNamara brings with her more than 16 years’ experience in Legal Aid casework including possession, disrepair and homelessness. She has also worked on other related issues including welfare rights and debt matters and making appropriate referrals.

Starting her career as a volunteer at Citizens Advice Bureaux during a childcare career break, Barbara took up a housing advice trainee post in 2006 which led to a housing caseworker post.

She was then promoted in 2016 to the housing unit manager role where she was responsible for the management of the Legal Aid contract and duty possession scheme

“The duty possession scheme in particular could be very stressful as unrepresented clients would turn up with minutes to spare before they were due in court and I would have to take oral instructions and examine any paperwork to hand,” she said.

“I would take steps to establish if there was any defence and ascertain why the client was in arrears and what steps they intended to take to remedy the situation and check whether there was any defence to the claim.

“It was not unusual to provide representation to 10 or more clients on any given day.”

Her new role will cover all aspects of possession and eviction. Broudie Jackson Canter associate director and solicitor, Jonathan Davidson, added: “We’re very pleased at Broudie Jackson Canter to have Barbara on board.

READ MORE: £500m train fleet arrives on Merseyrail Wirral line

READ MORE: Wirral pushes forward with plans for 1,600 new homes

“She has a wealth of experience of court advocacy having previously worked on the duty scheme at Liverpool County Court.

“In the current economic climate it is precarious for home owners and renters and fortunately Barbara is a able to assist and represent people facing possession proceedings or eviction.”