At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide proactive legal advice on planning and highways matters for a local authority.
- Company: Join a supportive local authority legal team in Gloucestershire.
- Benefits: Enjoy excellent holiday allowance, hybrid working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborate with experienced professionals and enjoy flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local communities through your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with experience in planning and highways law.
The predicted salary is between 50269 - 53460 £ per year.
- Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister
- Pay award pending from 1 April 2026
- Permanent | Full Time | 37 hours per week
- Overview of the Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister position
Sellick Partnership are proud to be recruiting for a Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister to join a local authority legal team in the Gloucestershire region.
The successful lawyer will provide high-quality, proactive and pragmatic legal advice across a varied and challenging caseload.
This is an opportunity to play a key role in supporting planning, development and highways activity, working closely with elected members, officers, planning professionals and external partners.
You will provide practical, solutions-focused advice on complex and sometimes contentious matters, helping the council make sound, lawful and effective decisions.
You will also represent the council at tribunals, public inquiries, courts, committees and other relevant forums.
Responsibilities of the Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister
You will manage a broad and varied caseload covering all aspects of planning and highways law, including:
- Advising on planning applications, planning enforcement and highway matters.
- Providing legal advice to planning committees, panels and officers.
- Advising elected members and officers on complex planning and enforcement issues.
- Drafting, advising on and negotiating a wide range of legal agreements.
- Supporting the development and review of planning-related policies and documents.
- Working closely with counsel and planning officers to prepare for complex public inquiries, including reviewing evidence and statements, collating documentation and assisting with case preparation.
- Attending planning committee once per month and, very occasionally, court in relation to planning enforcement proceedings.
- Advising on and preparing compulsory purchase orders.
- Determining town and village green applications.
- Providing legal advice across a range of highways matters, including public rights of way.
- Managing your own caseload effectively and delivering clear, timely and commercially aware legal advice.
- Requirements and experience of the Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister
You will be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with substantial post-qualification experience and significant expertise in planning and highways law. You will also have:
- A sound working knowledge of local government law and practice.
- Proven experience managing a complex caseload independently.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex and high-risk issues and provide clear, robust and practical advice.
- The confidence and professionalism to work effectively with senior managers, officers, elected members and a wide range of external partners and agencies.
- The ability to build effective working relationships and communicate complex legal issues clearly to non-legal colleagues.
- The resilience to manage sensitive, challenging and contentious matters professionally.
- A proactive, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach to legal advice.
This is a varied and influential role where your legal expertise will directly support important decisions affecting the council, local communities and the places in which people live and work.
You will have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of planning and highways matters, collaborate with experienced professionals across the organisation and play a key role in delivering high-quality legal services.
- Benefits available to the appointed Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister
- Excellent holiday allowance with the option to purchase additional annual leave through monthly salary deductions.
- Generous local government pension scheme.
- Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements.
- Access to Reward Gateway, providing a range of employee benefits including high street discounts, tax-efficient cycling equipment, the car benefit scheme.
How to apply for the Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister position
If you are an experienced planning and highways lawyer who enjoys finding practical solutions to complex legal issues, please apply immediately to be considered for shortlisting.
Alternatively, should you require further information or wish to discuss your suitability before applying please contact Kiran Purewal in the Sellick Partnership Manchester office for a confidential discussion.
Closing date
13th September
Synonyms
Local Authority Planning Lawyer, Development and Planning Lawyer, Planning Enforcement Lawyer, Planning Legal Adviser, Highways Legal Adviser
Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances.
Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV.
For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.
Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister in Gloucester employer: Sellick Partnership
At Sellick Partnership, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values community engagement and employee growth. As a Mobile Caretaker in Nottinghamshire, you'll enjoy the benefits of a company van, competitive pay, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in local neighbourhoods while working alongside a dedicated housing team. We foster an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to creating safe, clean, and well-managed communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister in Gloucester
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
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We think you need these skills to ace Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Sellick Partnership, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Sellick Partnership and the specific role of Planning & Highways Solicitor/Barrister. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Sellick Partnership’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sellick Partnership
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Sellick Partnership.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Sellick Partnership.
