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- Tasks: Lead legal advice on planning and property matters in a dynamic local authority.
- Company: Join a large local authority with a focus on community development.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in public sector legal services while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with 5+ years of relevant experience.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 56 - 63 £ per hour.
A large local authority is seeking an experienced Principal Lawyer (Planning & Property) to join its in-house Legal Services team on an initial 3-month rolling contract. The organisation is managing a busy portfolio of planning, property and regeneration matters and requires immediate senior legal leadership to support service delivery. This is an agency assignment with the potential for extension.
Reporting to the Head of Legal Services, you will act as the technical legal lead for planning and property matters, providing senior-level advice in a politically sensitive environment. You will also play a key role in maintaining service continuity, supporting the development of the team and improving existing legal processes. You will be responsible for:
- Acting as the technical legal lead on planning, development control, property, regeneration and related work
- Managing a complex personal caseload while overseeing the allocation of work across the team
- Line-managing two Senior Lawyers and one Lawyer, providing clear direction and hands-on supervision
- Reviewing, improving and updating legal processes and ways of working to support service efficiency
- Advising elected members, committees and senior officers on high-risk and high-profile matters
- Attending committee meetings and court hearings where required
- Managing external counsel and key stakeholder relationships
- Supporting the Head of Legal Services during a period of operational demand
This is a senior interim role requiring someone who can add value immediately with minimal handover.
To succeed in this role, you will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with significant post-qualification experience (5+ years as a guideline), including strong local government or public-sector experience. An established background in planning and/or property law is essential, as is proven experience of managing and supervising lawyers. You will also bring:
- Experience advising at committee and senior-officer level
- A pragmatic, solution-focused approach to public-sector legal risk
- Confidence operating in a fast-paced, politically led organisation
- Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills
£70-£75 per hour (umbrella)
Initial 3-month rolling contract with extension potential
ASAP start
Hybrid working, with 1-2 days per week on site, depending on team needs
A high-impact interim role within a senior in-house public-sector legal team
If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Locum Planning/Property Lawyer - Principal employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Locum Planning/Property Lawyer - Principal
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in local government or public sector roles. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of planning and property law. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We want to see that you can hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! If you've managed teams before, be sure to highlight this in conversations. We love candidates who can lead and inspire others, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Locum Planning/Property Lawyer - Principal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in planning and property law. We want to see how your skills match the specific requirements of the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. We love seeing candidates who can articulate their passion for public-sector legal work and how they can add value immediately.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Since this role involves managing a team, make sure to highlight any leadership experience you have. We’re looking for someone who can provide clear direction and support, so share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your planning and property law knowledge. Be ready to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact local government work. This shows you're not just qualified, but also engaged with the field.
✨Show Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led others in the past. Highlight your experience in supervising lawyers and how you've improved team processes or outcomes.
✨Understand the Political Landscape
This position requires navigating a politically sensitive environment. Familiarise yourself with the local authority's current issues and challenges. Being able to discuss these intelligently will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team's current projects and the challenges they face. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
