Interim Planning Lawyer

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

**Job Purpose

To provide specialist planning law advice and legal expertise to the Council, supporting planning, regulatory and development functions through the delivery of high-quality legal services.

The postholder will manage a complex caseload of planning matters, providing advice on planning applications, Section 106 Agreements, highway agreements, planning enforcement, judicial reviews and planning appeals. The role will support Members, senior officers and planning services by delivering commercially focused, practical and legally sound advice while protecting the Council's interests and managing legal risk.

Working with minimal supervision, the Interim Planning Lawyer will play a key role in supporting planning committees, advising stakeholders and ensuring the Council remains compliant with relevant legislation and legal requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist legal advice on planning and related local government matters.

• Manage a complex planning law caseload with minimal supervision.

• Advise officers, senior managers, directors and elected members on planning and regulatory matters.

• Draft, review and negotiate:
• Section 106 Agreements

• Highway Agreements

• Planning Licences

• Legal Undertakings

• Enforcement Documentation

• Related Planning Agreements

• Support planning enforcement activity and associated legal processes.

• Advise on planning applications and development proposals.

• Assist with Planning Appeals, Public Inquiries and Judicial Review proceedings.

• Provide legal advice on public law, administrative law and constitutional issues affecting planning services.

• Prepare legal reports, committee reports and briefing notes.

• Attend Planning Committees and other meetings as legal advisor when required.

• Deputise for the Senior Planning Lawyer at Planning Committee meetings.

• Identify and advise on legal, operational, financial and reputational risks.

• Provide practical and innovative legal solutions to support service delivery.

• Instruct and manage Counsel, external solicitors, consultants and expert witnesses where necessary.

• Keep clients informed of relevant legal developments, legislative changes and case law.

• Ensure a high standard of client care and stakeholder engagement.

• Contribute to service improvement, legal practice development and effective case management.

• Assist with reviewing and improving legal procedures, working practices and service delivery models.

• Support compliance with governance frameworks, legal standards and professional requirements.

• Undertake legal research and maintain knowledge of developments in planning and local government law.

• Work flexibly to meet service requirements, including attendance at evening committees and meetings when required.

Requirements

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).

• Minimum 4 years post-qualification experience (PQE).

• Significant experience advising on Planning Law matters.

• Experience drafting and negotiating:
• Section 106 Agreements

• Highway Agreements

• Planning Obligations

• Enforcement Notices

• Related Legal Documentation

• Experience handling Planning Appeals and Judicial Reviews.

• Experience managing a diverse and complex legal caseload.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Experience advising senior officers and elected members.

• Strong legal drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to identify legal risks and provide practical solutions.

• Strong client care and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to prioritise workloads and meet demanding deadlines.

• Experience undertaking legal research and interpreting legislation and case law.

Desirable

• Experience advising Planning Committees.

• Experience acting as legal advisor at committee meetings.

• Experience supervising or supporting junior legal staff.

• Local Authority legal experience.

• Knowledge of Local Government constitutional and governance frameworks.

• Advocacy experience within planning-related matters.

Additional Information

• Location: Bexley - Hybrid Working

• Hours Per Week: 37 Hours

• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments

• Contract Type: Interim

• Attendance Requirement: Attendance at evening committee meetings and council meetings as required.