At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide legal advice on planning, environmental, and public law matters for major government projects.
- Company: Join the Government Legal Department supporting vital infrastructure and planning reforms.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with exposure to complex legal challenges in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile government projects and policies.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with 3+ years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
Role: Planning Lawyer
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 in Slough 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 in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Lawyer in Slough
✨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 interview! Research the Government Legal Department and understand their current projects and priorities. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around planning reform and infrastructure.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers. Focus on articulating your experience with complex developments and how you’ve navigated legal challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be just right for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Lawyer in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Planning Lawyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in planning law, infrastructure projects, and public law matters. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate your strong analytical and communication skills. Use examples from your past work to show how you’ve provided practical, risk-based legal advice in fast-paced environments. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially in a role that requires delivering timely advice.
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, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
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, as well as how you’ve applied this knowledge in past experiences.
✨Showcase Your Advisory Skills
Prepare examples of how you've provided clear, pragmatic legal advice in high-pressure situations. Think about specific instances where your advice influenced decision-making, especially in complex projects or contentious matters.
✨Understand the Policy Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current government priorities related to planning reform and infrastructure delivery. Being able to discuss how these priorities affect legal advice will show your understanding of the broader context in which you'll be working.
✨Practice Competency Questions
Since the interview is competency-based, practice answering questions that highlight your analytical and communication skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
