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- Tasks: Lead legal planning for a major UK infrastructure project and manage complex litigation.
- Company: Join a key player in the UK's infrastructure development, shaping the future of transport.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, training opportunities, and a chance to work on high-profile projects.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative project, develop specialist skills, and influence strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with expertise in planning law and litigation experience.
- Other info: Work from London or Birmingham and receive full training on the HS2 Act.
We are seeking an experienced lawyer, either a qualified solicitor or barrister, who is a subject matter expert in planning law, with deep experience in both conventional and infrastructure-related planning matters under the Town and Country Planning framework. This framework governs land use, development permissions, and infrastructure planning across the UK.
The project you will be working on is one of the UK’s largest infrastructure schemes and benefits from its own dedicated Act of Parliament, the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Act 2017 (commonly referred to as the HS2 Act), which provides planning powers similar to those used in previous infrastructure projects such as Crossrail and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
You may not be practically familiar with the HS2 Act and its powers in your work to date, but you will receive full training and upskilling in its application. This offers a significant opportunity to develop a specialist area of expertise and enhance your professional repertoire for future projects.
You will spend the majority of your time working closely with the Town and Country Planning team, leading the in-house legal planning function and deputising for the Head Counsel as required. This includes attending senior leadership meetings and contributing to strategic decision-making. You will also engage with and instruct a leading panel of legal firms who provide specialist opinions, managing their input to ensure value for money and high-quality advice.
A key part of the role is leading on complex planning litigation, including Judicial Reviews, planning inquiries, appeals, and tribunal claims, ensuring the project’s legal position is robustly protected throughout its lifecycle. You will also play a central role in developing junior lawyers within the team, supporting their growth and ensuring strong legal capability and resilience within the function.
Additionally, you will contribute to improving legal processes and templates, maintaining and developing standard documentation to ensure best practice, compliance, and consistency across the organisation. While a sound understanding of compulsory purchase law will be part of your experience, it is worth noting that much of the compulsory purchase phase of the project has already been completed. Your focus will therefore centre on planning and infrastructure matters as the project evolves.
This is an exciting time to join a nationally significant infrastructure scheme, as complex and evolving aspects of the planning landscape continue to emerge, not only geographically as the project reaches new stages of completion, but also through critical interfaces with other major infrastructure bodies such as East West Railway and Network Rail.
The role could be based from London or Birmingham, the salary range shown here is for London.
Senior Legal Counsel - Planning employer: CPR
Contact Detail:
CPR Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel - Planning
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the HS2 Act and its implications for planning law. Even if you haven't worked directly with it, understanding its key provisions will demonstrate your proactive approach and readiness to engage with complex legal frameworks.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the planning law sector, especially those involved in major infrastructure projects. Attend relevant seminars or webinars to connect with industry experts and gain insights that could be beneficial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience in leading legal teams and managing external legal firms. Highlight any instances where you've successfully navigated complex planning litigation, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to mentoring junior lawyers and improving legal processes. This role involves developing others, so demonstrating your commitment to team growth and best practices will set you apart.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel - Planning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in planning law, particularly under the Town and Country Planning framework. Include specific examples of your work on infrastructure-related projects to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the opportunity to work on significant infrastructure projects like HS2. Mention your understanding of the complexities involved in planning litigation and how your skills align with the requirements of the position.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since the role involves leading a team and contributing to strategic decision-making, highlight any previous leadership experiences. Discuss how you have mentored junior lawyers or contributed to team development in your past roles.
Demonstrate Continuous Learning: Mention your willingness to undergo training and upskilling, especially regarding the HS2 Act. This shows your commitment to professional growth and adaptability in a complex legal environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at CPR
✨Know Your Planning Law
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of planning law, especially the Town and Country Planning framework. Familiarise yourself with key legislation, including the HS2 Act, even if you haven't worked with it directly before.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As you'll be leading the in-house legal planning function, be prepared to discuss your experience in managing teams and mentoring junior lawyers. Highlight specific examples where you've contributed to strategic decision-making.
✨Prepare for Complex Litigation Scenarios
Expect questions about your experience with planning litigation, such as Judicial Reviews and appeals. Be ready to share your approach to managing complex legal challenges and ensuring robust legal positions.
✨Showcase Process Improvement Initiatives
Discuss any past experiences where you've improved legal processes or documentation. This role involves enhancing best practices, so demonstrating your ability to streamline operations will be a plus.
