OR118360 – Interim Planning Lawyer L9 – Legal in Bexleyheath

Work Pattern: 1 day office (minimum) 4 days remote

PAYE Pay Rate: £28.08 per hour

Main Purpose of the Role

To provide specialist legal advice and support to the Council, managing a varied and complex caseload with minimal supervision. The role focuses on delivering effective legal solutions, drafting and negotiating legal documents, advising on planning and property matters, supporting planning appeals and judicial reviews, and ensuring legal risks are managed appropriately.

Typical Day Overview

• Manage a varied caseload of complex legal matters, prioritising urgent cases and deadlines.
• Provide legal advice to Council officers, senior management and elected Members.
• Draft, review and negotiate legal documents, including Section 106 agreements, highway agreements and licences.
• Advise on planning enforcement, planning appeals and judicial reviews.
• Attend planning committee meetings and provide legal guidance where required.
• Instruct external solicitors, barristers, consultants and expert witnesses when necessary.
• Research relevant legislation and case law to ensure advice is accurate and up to date.
• Maintain client communication, provide progress updates and identify potential legal risks.
• Support improvements to legal processes, case management and service delivery.

Key Skills and Responsibilities

• Legal Advice and Casework: Provide specialist legal advice on complex matters within the relevant area of legal practice.
• Planning and Property Law: Draft and negotiate Section 106 agreements, highway agreements, licences and other legal documents.
• Planning Enforcement and Appeals: Support planning enforcement action, planning appeals and judicial reviews.
• Caseload Management: Manage a diverse and demanding workload independently, prioritising cases and meeting tight deadlines.
• Risk Management: Identify legal, political, financial and operational risks and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Committee Support: Advise officers and elected Members on committee reports, constitutional matters and public administration issues.
• Stakeholder Management: Build effective working relationships with Council departments, clients, external solicitors and barristers.
• Legal Research: Monitor changes in legislation, statutory requirements and case law.
• Supervision and Development: Support, supervise and assist in developing junior legal officers.
• Service Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve legal procedures, case management and service delivery.
• Budget and Cost Control: Help ensure legal costs remain within allocated budgets.
• Communication and Client Care: Deliver clear, timely legal advice and keep clients informed of progress and developments.

Essential Qualifications and Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
• Minimum of 4 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Substantial experience providing legal advice within the relevant area of specialism.
• Experience managing a diverse and demanding caseload with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to prioritise competing demands and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience supervising, motivating and supporting the development of junior legal officers.
• Strong legal research, drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify legal risks and provide practical, solution-focused advice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including advising senior officers and stakeholders.
• Willingness to attend evening committee meetings and events and work additional hours when required.

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