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 professional growth in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Shape the built environment while balancing career and wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Newly qualified or up to 5 years’ PQE in planning law.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ 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: You will work directly with partners from the outset, gaining exposure and experience that many solicitors take years to access elsewhere.
- High-quality work: Our matters are complex, high-value and often bespoke, delivered to the standards clients would expect from much larger firms.
- A more balanced way of working: We believe exceptional legal work should be delivered sustainably. Our approach to workload and billing supports long-term career development without compromising wellbeing.
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.
Apply for This Role
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 Cheshire employer: Sellick Partnership
Contact Detail:
Sellick Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land NQ Planning Solicitor in Cheshire
✨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.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Create a portfolio that highlights your experience in planning law. Whether it’s case studies, articles, or presentations, having tangible evidence of your skills can set you apart. Share this on your LinkedIn profile and during interviews to demonstrate your knowledge and passion.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the firm and its recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their work in planning law. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your commercial mindset and client service skills.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives us a chance to see your application in the best light. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace NQ Planning Solicitor in Cheshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Planning Solicitor role. Highlight any relevant planning law experience, especially in contentious and non-contentious matters, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for planning law and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your expertise and commercial mindset.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Planning Solicitor, strong communication is key. In your application, make sure to convey your ability to engage with a diverse range of clients. Use clear and concise language to reflect your attention to detail and commitment to quality.
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 out on any important updates about the process. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 serious about the role and understand the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Client-Focused Approach
Prepare examples of how you've provided clear, commercially focused advice in past roles or during your training. Highlighting your ability to tailor your advice to meet clients' objectives will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with partners and a specialist team, be ready to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share experiences where you've successfully managed multiple matters while supporting your colleagues, showcasing your teamwork skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the firm's approach to balancing high-quality work with wellbeing. This not only shows your interest in the firm’s culture but also helps you assess if it aligns with your career goals and values.