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- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on Planning and Highways matters that shape communities.
- Company: Join a supportive and forward-thinking legal team at Kirklees Council.
- Benefits: Career progression, professional development, and a flexible working environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Solicitor, Barrister or CILEx with strong experience in Planning and Highways Law.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to mentor junior colleagues.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a Planning and Highways Lawyer looking to take the next step in your career? Do you want to work on high profile, complex and varied matters that help shape places and communities across Kirklees? We’re looking for a Lawyer to join our Planning & Highways Team within Kirklees Legal Services, where you’ll provide high quality legal advice, representation and support to the Council and partner organisations. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a friendly, supportive and forward thinking legal team where your professional development is genuinely valued.
About the Role
- Deliver expert legal advice across Town and Country Planning, Highways, Public Rights of Way, Environmental Law, Traffic Regulation, CPO matters and related areas.
- Draft and negotiate complex legal agreements and orders including s106, s38, s278, and Traffic Regulation Orders.
- With support manage your own caseload, including high profile, sensitive and complex matters.
- Advise Members and Officers, attend committees, hearings and external meetings, and prepare clear and concise reports.
- Deal with public inquiries, judicial reviews, Planning Court proceedings, and enforcement actions.
- Support the commissioning of external legal work when needed.
- Mentor and support junior colleagues and contribute positively to the wider Legal Services team.
- Build strong working relationships with internal clients and external partners.
About You
- You will be a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEx with advocacy rights.
- Strong practical experience in Planning and Highways Law in England and Wales.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.
- The ability to communicate complex information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
- Proven resilience and the ability to manage competing demands and deadlines.
- A proactive, risk aware and solution focused approach.
- Commitment to delivering high quality, customer focused legal services.
- The ability to work independently with limited supervision and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
- Experience in Environmental Law, Local Government Law or Public Rights of Way is desirable, but not essential.
What We Offer
- A clear career progression pathway.
- Supportive leadership and opportunities for professional development.
- The chance to work on meaningful and varied projects that make a real difference across Kirklees.
- A flexible, collaborative and values driven working environment.
Our Values
We’re proud of our positive, respectful and supportive culture. As a Kirklees Council employee, you’ll be expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned with our New Council approach, including honesty, flexibility, strong communication, and teamwork.
John Chapman is the manager for this role, please contact them for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information. To apply please click the Apply Now link below.
Lawyer - Planning and Highways in Leeds employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Contact Detail:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lawyer - Planning and Highways in Leeds
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the Planning and Highways field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience in Planning and Highways Law. Share specific examples of complex cases you've handled and how you’ve made a difference. This will show them you’re the right fit for their team.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Understand the key issues facing Kirklees and be ready to discuss how your skills can help tackle them. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and teamwork spirit.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our friendly and supportive legal team at Kirklees Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Lawyer - Planning and Highways in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in Planning and Highways Law. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Showcase Your Skills: When writing your application, emphasise your drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills. We’re looking for someone who can communicate complex information clearly, so give us examples of how you’ve done this in the past.
Be Personable: Don’t forget to let your personality shine through! We value a friendly and supportive culture, so showing us your collaborative spirit and commitment to teamwork will definitely make your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Kirklees Legal Services!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Planning and Highways Law
Brush up on your knowledge of Town and Country Planning, Highways, and Environmental Law. Be ready to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact the role. This shows you’re not just qualified but genuinely interested in the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific legal scenarios, like drafting a s106 agreement or managing a public inquiry. Think through your past experiences and be ready to share relevant examples that highlight your skills and problem-solving abilities.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves advising Members and Officers, practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to demonstrate this during the interview, so think about how you can convey your expertise clearly and concisely.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Mentorship
The job requires collaboration and mentoring junior colleagues. Be prepared to discuss your experience working in teams and how you’ve supported others in their professional development. Highlighting your ability to build strong relationships will resonate well with the interviewers.
