At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice on planning, environmental, and public law matters for high-profile government projects.
- Company: Join the Government Legal Department supporting major infrastructure and planning reforms.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with exposure to high-value development and infrastructure projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on significant government priorities and complex legal challenges.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with strong planning law experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
Contract Length: 6 months with view to extend to 12 months
Location: London (60% hybrid)
Interview Process: 1 stage over Teams (competency)
Overview
We are seeking experienced Planning Lawyers to join the Government Legal Department, supporting the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on a broad range of high-profile planning, infrastructure and public law matters. This is a policy-facing advisory role supporting major government priorities, including planning reform, infrastructure delivery, and legally complex, often contentious decision-making.
The Role
This is a varied advisory role combining:
- Planning and environmental law advice
- Public law / judicial review risk
- Policy development and legislation support
- High-profile casework
You will advise Ministers, policy teams and officials on:
- Planning decisions (including called-in decisions and appeals)
- Planning reform and legislation (including SIs)
- Infrastructure and major development projects
- Legal risk and potential challenge (including JR)
Key Responsibilities
- Provide pragmatic, risk-based legal advice on planning, environmental and public law matters
- Advise on major infrastructure and development projects (e.g. energy, transport, regeneration)
- Support policy development and legislative change, including drafting secondary legislation
- Advise on judicial review risk and litigation strategy
- Work closely with policy officials and stakeholders across government
- Deliver clear, timely advice in a fast-paced, high-profile environment
Essential Experience
Suppliers should prioritise candidates with:
- Strong planning law experience (private practice, public sector or equivalent)
- Experience across infrastructure, major projects or complex developments
- Exposure to environmental law / EIA / regulatory frameworks
- Experience advising on or supporting judicial review / contentious matters
- Demonstrable ability to provide practical, commercially aware advice
- Strong analytical and communication skills
Highly Desirable Experience
- Experience with Section 106 agreements / planning obligations / CIL
- Exposure to Development Consent Orders (DCOs) or large-scale consenting regimes
- Experience of legislation or statutory instrument drafting
- Experience advising government or public bodies (not essential)
Profile We Are Seeking
This role would suit lawyers who:
- Have worked on complex, high-value development or infrastructure matters
- Understand how planning decisions are challenged and defended
- Can operate effectively in a policy-driven, political environment
- Provide clear, pragmatic advice under time pressure
- Are comfortable working across a broad range of planning issues (not overly niche)
Additional Notes for Suppliers (Important)
- Candidates from private practice, in-house, or international jurisdictions are all welcomed, provided experience is transferable
- Candidates do not need prior central government experience
- Broad planning + infrastructure exposure is preferred over narrow specialism
- Candidates should demonstrate end-to-end involvement in projects, not just transactional support
Qualifications
- Qualified Solicitor or Barrister
- circa 3+ PQE (flexible depending on experience)
Strong candidates will typically show:
- Involvement in major infrastructure / energy / regeneration projects
- Experience with planning obligations, consenting, or approvals
- Exposure to litigation or judicial review risk
- Ability to balance legal accuracy with practical delivery considerations
Commercial Lawyer employer: eTeam
The Government Legal Department offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for Commercial Lawyers, particularly in the vibrant city of London. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to engage in high-profile planning and infrastructure projects while receiving comprehensive training and development support. The hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance, making it an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful and impactful legal work within the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in planning law. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that Teams interview! Research common competency questions related to planning and public law, and practice your responses. We want you to shine and show off your strong analytical and communication skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! When discussing your background, highlight your involvement in major infrastructure projects and any exposure to judicial review. Make it clear how your practical, commercially aware advice can benefit the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Commercial Lawyer role. Highlight your experience in planning law and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on your involvement in high-profile planning and infrastructure projects. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their end-to-end project involvement, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate candidates who can communicate complex legal concepts in a simple way, especially in a fast-paced environment.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at eTeam
✨Know Your Planning Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your planning and environmental law knowledge. Be ready to discuss recent cases or legislation that could impact the role, especially those related to infrastructure and public law. This will show your expertise and commitment to staying current in the field.
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Since the interview is competency-based, think of specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your skills in providing legal advice under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Understand the Government's Priorities
Familiarise yourself with the current priorities of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Being able to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, such as planning reform and infrastructure delivery, will make you stand out as a candidate who is not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves advising Ministers and policy teams, it's crucial to demonstrate your strong analytical and communication skills. Practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms, as this will be key in delivering clear, timely advice in a fast-paced environment.
