Planning Lawyer

Job Description:

Reference number : SC07235

Location : London

Schedule : Full-time

Salary Range : (Full time equivalent) – £48,618 – £55,710

Contract Type : Permanent

The role

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert legal advice and support on all matters relating to planning and development.
• Tackle complex legal challenges and provide expert advice to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Deliver strategic insights on Planning issues and legislative impacts on council services.
• Manage a diverse and stimulating caseload from the outset.
• Advise committees, councillors, and officers on planning law.
• Draft and negotiate section 106, section 278, and section 38 agreements.
• Assist with planning appeals, judicial reviews, and enforcement matters.
• Ensure compliance with Lexcel standards and best legal practices.

How will you make an impact as our Planning Lawyer?

We’re looking for a highly skilled and proactive Planning Lawyer who can hit the ground running. To be successful in this role, you’ll need to bring a blend of the following:

• A current practising certificate as an admitted Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (or eligibility to apply for one).
• A strong understanding of local government law, particularly in relation to planning and ideally highways.
• A good level of post-qualification experience in planning law (or significant pre-qualification experience).
• The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
• A track record of managing a varied caseload and meeting performance targets.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically.
• Confidently manage risk using sound judgment and critical analysis.
• Embrace the opportunity to work with a diverse team, both within the legal service and across the council.
• This role offers flexible home working blended with travel into our London Bridge HQ.

About Southwark Council

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market.

We are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities.

If you’re interested and would like to discuss this opportunity, please reach out to the hiring manager Kamil Dolebski directly at 07704 667956 for more details.

Recruitment timetable

• Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on 21 March 2025.
• Interview Date: Week Commencing 31 March 2025.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities.

This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative.

We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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