At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on complex planning projects and manage your own caseload.
- Company: Join a supportive firm focused on sustainable legal practice.
- Benefits: Gain early exposure to high-quality work with partner support.
- Other info: Opportunity for business development and marketing involvement.
- Why this job: Shape the built environment while balancing career and wellbeing.
- Qualifications: NQ to 5 years PQE in planning law, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Work on complex planning and development projects. Advise high-quality clients. Build your career with balance.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a Planning Solicitor with up to 5 years’ PQE to join our specialist team, advising on a broad range of complex and high-value planning matters. You will support a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, developers, landowners, businesses and public sector organisations on projects that shape the built and natural environment. Working closely with highly experienced colleagues and partners, you will gain early exposure to sophisticated work, strategic decision-making and client relationships from the outset.
This role offers the opportunity to develop broad expertise across planning law, including applications and appeals, enforcement, judicial review and infrastructure matters, while building a long-term career in a firm that combines high-quality work with a more balanced and sustainable approach to practice. Alongside supporting the wider team, you will manage your own caseload and take real responsibility for matters, with direct partner support and mentoring throughout your development.
What You Will Be Doing
- You will advise on a wide range of planning and development matters, including:
- Planning applications, appeals and objections
- Section 106 agreements and highways agreements (s38/s278)
- High Court challenges and Judicial Review
- Enforcement, prosecutions and lawfulness matters, including Certificates of Lawfulness
- Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO), village greens and public rights of way
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) matters
You will work across both contentious and non-contentious matters, providing clear, commercially focused advice tailored to clients’ objectives.
What Sets This Role Apart
- Partner-led from day one
- High-quality work
- A more balanced way of working
About You
We are looking for a confident, commercially minded solicitor who is keen to develop within a specialist planning team. You will:
- Be newly qualified up to 5 years’ PQE
- Have experience in planning law across contentious and non-contentious matters
- Demonstrate a commercial approach and the ability to work to deadlines
- Be confident managing multiple matters and delivering excellent client service
- Have strong communication skills and be comfortable working with a broad range of clients
- Have excellent attention to detail and a commitment to quality
- Experience in environmental, energy or regulatory matters would be beneficial, but is not essential.
You will also be willing to contribute to business development and marketing activity where appropriate.
If you are looking to build your planning law career within a supportive, high-performing team that combines quality work with a sustainable approach to practice, we would love to hear from you.
NQ Planning Solicitor in Birkenhead employer: Sellick Partnership
Contact Detail:
Sellick Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NQ Planning Solicitor in Birkenhead
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the planning law field! Attend industry events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals for a chat. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in planning law. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s ready to hit the ground running.
✨Be Proactive
Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up! Reach out to firms directly, especially those you admire. Express your interest in their work and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. Sometimes, the best jobs are filled before they even hit the market.
✨Apply Through Our Website
If you see a role that excites you, apply through our website! It shows you’re serious about joining our team and makes it easier for us to keep track of your application. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace NQ Planning Solicitor in Birkenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Planning Solicitor role. Highlight your experience in planning law and how it aligns with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate your skills! Use examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to manage multiple matters, deliver excellent client service, and work under deadlines. This will help us see your potential in action.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for confident and commercially minded solicitors, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for planning law and your career aspirations. Authenticity goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sellick Partnership
✨Know Your Planning Law
Brush up on your knowledge of planning law, especially the areas mentioned in the job description like Section 106 agreements and judicial reviews. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just a candidate, but someone who understands the complexities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Client Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've managed client relationships or handled multiple matters simultaneously. This role requires excellent client service, so demonstrating your ability to juggle responsibilities while keeping clients happy will set you apart.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come prepared with questions that show your interest in the firm’s approach to planning law and their commitment to work-life balance. Asking about their partner-led model or how they support career development can highlight your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be ready to discuss how planning decisions impact businesses and communities. Showing that you understand the commercial implications of planning law will resonate well with the interviewers and demonstrate your fit for the role.