At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal advice on planning and highways, mentor colleagues, and ensure high practice standards.
- Company: Join Westmorland & Furness Council, an ambitious authority transforming public services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension, enhanced leave, and various perks.
- Other info: We value diversity and offer guaranteed interviews for eligible applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Lawyer with 3+ years' experience in planning and highways law.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid Working with Agile working across Westmorland & Furness
Contract Type: Permanent
Why work for Westmorland & Furness Council
Westmorland and Furness Council will be an ambitious authority that will shape public services for the better, building on the best and transforming them for the future. We are committed to putting our customers and communities first, and to be the heart of everything we do.
About this role
Westmorland & Furness Council is seeking an experienced Lead Lawyer (Planning & Highways) to play a senior role within our Legal Team. This is an exciting opportunity to support on the Council’s planning and highways work.
In this leadership role, you will provide high‑quality, practical and focused legal advice on planning and highways work and corporate projects. You will also supervise and mentor colleagues, helping to develop excellence within the team and ensure high practice standards across Legal Services.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading on completion of S106 Agreements
- Advising at Planning Committees
- Preparing for hearings and inquiries
- Dealing with planning appeals
- Planning Enforcement
- Leading on completion of S278 Agreements and other Highways Agreements
- Contributing to service planning and maintaining high standards of legal practice management
About You
You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Lawyer with a current practising certificate and at least 3 years’ post‑qualification experience. You will bring strong expertise in planning and highways law and be confident advising at a senior level and supporting colleagues through supervision and mentoring.
You will be a strong team player with a proven track record of delivering to deadlines, have effective communication skills and be able to use sound judgment to solve problems. You will be used to working in a busy pressurised environment and will enjoy a challenge. A commitment to delivering the best possible service for the benefit of our residents and clients is required. You must have good IT literacy skills and an ability to use electronic publications for the purpose of legal work and research are critical.
Other duties will include dealing with a range of matters including providing advice to officers and elected members, attending Council Planning Committees and working groups as required.
Benefits
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discount schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview. We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old that meet the essential criteria for the role.
Senior Planning & Highways Lawyer — Hybrid employer: LLG Enterprises Limited
Westmorland & Furness Council is an excellent employer that prioritises community engagement and employee development, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture. With hybrid working options and a commitment to professional growth, employees benefit from a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave, and various perks, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning & Highways Lawyer — Hybrid
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience with planning and highways law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of S106 and S278 Agreements. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role at Westmorland & Furness Council. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your mentoring skills! If you’ve supervised or trained colleagues before, be sure to highlight that in conversations. It’s a big plus for this leadership role and shows you’re a team player.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Westmorland & Furness Council team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning & Highways Lawyer — Hybrid
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 role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a senior role, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor others. Share examples of how you've supported colleagues or contributed to team success in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your experience and qualifications, as we appreciate direct communication that gets to the heart of the matter.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Westmorland & Furness Council!
How to prepare for a job interview at LLG Enterprises Limited
✨Know Your Planning & Highways Law
Brush up on your knowledge of planning and highways law before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific cases or legislation that relate to S106 and S278 Agreements, as well as your experience advising at Planning Committees. This will show your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and supervising colleagues, prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or project in the past. Highlight your approach to developing excellence within a legal team and how you ensure high practice standards.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly in a busy environment. Share specific examples of how you used sound judgment to solve problems, especially in relation to planning appeals or enforcement issues.
✨Engage with the Council's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Westmorland & Furness Council's goals and values. During the interview, express your commitment to putting customers and communities first, and how you can contribute to shaping public services for the better. This alignment will resonate well with the interviewers.
