Senior Solicitor WCC624149

Salary range: £56,436 - £76,872 per annum. Salary negotiable depending upon experience.

Work location: Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, Westminster, SW1E 6QP

Hours per week: 36

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 2 June 2026

About Us: Bi Borough Legal Services | Westminster City Council & Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

At Westminster City Council, our work is full of extraordinary stories. Every day, our lawyers help shape a city known across the world – balancing vibrant night time economies, iconic events, complex developments and the needs of residents and businesses alike. This is work with real visibility, real consequence and real impact.

We are looking for a Senior Solicitor to join our Bi Borough Planning, Licensing and Highways Team, undertaking licensing work for both Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The Role: A role at the heart of a global city. Westminster is the largest licensing authority in the country, with a uniquely diverse and challenging portfolio of licensed premises. From Soho to major cultural and sporting events, this is licensing work on a scale and profile few organisations can offer. Our decisions are regularly scrutinised, often attract national media attention, and frequently help shape best practice across the country.

You will advise Licensing Sub‑Committees across both boroughs as a Legal Adviser on a rota basis, attending hearings in person. The work is varied, fast‑paced and intellectually demanding – and professionally rewarding.

Growing talent, supporting each other. We work the Westminster Way – valuing difference, acting with integrity and taking responsibility for the impact of our work. You do not need to be a licensing specialist already. We welcome candidates with planning or highways experience who want to build a long‑term career in this specialist area. You will be supported by a close‑knit, highly experienced team who take pride in developing people, sharing knowledge and delivering excellent advice to Members and clients.

You will have experience in some or all of the following:

• Advising on applications under the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005, including Sexual Entertainment Venues.
• Advising Members at Licensing Sub‑Committee hearings and providing clear, confident legal advice.
• Drafting high‑quality written advice, summaries and full decisions that stand up to scrutiny.
• Advising on licensing policy.
• Conducting licensing appeals in the Magistrates’ Court.

Most importantly, you will bring sound judgement, professionalism and a commitment to public service. Because this is more than a job. It is the opportunity to work on some of the most high‑profile licensing matters in the country, to influence decisions that matter, and to be part of a team that is proud of the impact it makes.

At Westminster, everyone is valued, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute and make a difference. Westminster City Council is committed to supporting Care Leavers into the workplace. Care Leavers seeking their first job and who wish to be considered under our scheme, will automatically be invited to interview should they meet the essential criteria for the role.

The Council is committed to achieving diverse shortlists to support our desire to increase the number of staff from underrepresented groups in our workforce. We especially encourage applications from a Global Majority (GM), people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual‑heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or have been racialised as 'ethnic minorities' background and, while the role is open to all applicants, we will utilise the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010 to appoint a candidate from a global majority background where there is a choice between two candidates of equal merit. If you are from a Global Majority background you can self‑declare this to the hiring manager as part of our positive action commitments.

What We Offer: Westminster is an amazing place. We are home to more than 200,000 residents from all backgrounds, over 50,000 vibrant and vital businesses and three‑quarters‑of‑a‑million people work in Westminster. Westminster City Council is one in which our communities are at the heart of our decision‑making and help to determine the city’s future. By working directly with our communities and other partners, we can build a more inclusive city that celebrates our diverse communities, and where residents, workers and visitors from all backgrounds will feel welcome and safe.

At Westminster City Council, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workplace and employer of choice. We encourage and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that, at all levels, represents the communities we serve. We champion quality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, has a sense of belonging and is empowered to be their best, that is Our Westminster Way.

As a forward‑thinking Council we appreciate that people work in different ways, therefore our staff benefit from working a range of flexible working patterns as well as Agile working. The Council is a Disability Confident Employer. If you have declared a disability in your application, we guarantee an interview if you meet the essential criteria of the job. If you are invited for interview, you will be asked if you need any reasonable adjustments to attend, and we will make these wherever possible.

We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.