Solicitor (Planning, Highways And Licensing)

Role purpose: To contribute to the efficient and cost-effective delivery of legal services within a culture of customer focus, continuous improvement, service excellence and employee development. In particular, to provide professional/technical advice and guidance in Planning, Highways and Licensing law to colleagues, managers and partner agencies to contribute to delivery of the council’s objectives and priorities. To lead by example in modelling and embedding the council’s values and behaviours, working collaboratively with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders to help build a sustainable highly effective organisation and develop our reputation as a successful council delivering great value for its residents.

Responsibilities:

• Negotiating S106 Agreements and Highway Agreements, working on regeneration projects and attending planning committee.
• To provide high quality and timely legal advice to the Council and its various departments on matters relating to planning and highways.
• To draft standard planning agreements, undertakings and highways agreements under supervision.
• To undertake routine legal cases involving planning, highways and licensing matters.
• Under supervision conduct proceedings, public inquiries, appeals and judicial reviews before the Planning Inspectorate in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Magistrates Courts, Crown Courts and Tribunals.
• To clear reports for Planning committee and other committees.
• To gain experience in the area of Licensing law and deputise for the Senior Lawyers where necessary.
• To assist the Senior Lawyers and the Chief Solicitor with the drafting and preparation of the statements of case and other legal documentation for legal proceedings in the areas of Planning, Highways or Licensing.

Experience:

• Experience of drafting complex planning agreements and highways agreements without supervision.
• Experience of undertaking complex cases involving all areas of Planning, Highways and Licensing matters with minimal supervision.
• Experience of preparing and/or conducting proceedings, public inquiries, appeals and judicial reviews before the Planning Inspectorate in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Magistrates Courts, Crown Courts and Tribunals with minimal supervision and where appropriate appearing as an advocate for Planning, Highways and Licensing matters.
• Assisted in the development of precedents and procedures relating to the work of the Planning, Highways and Licensing team.
• Experience of advising members at Licensing Committee and drafting decision letters, with minimal supervision, following the committee.
• Experience of providing advice on all areas of Licensing law to colleagues and members.
• Experience of drafting and advising on reports for the Cabinet, Cabinet Members, Council Committees and Sub-Committees with Planning, Highways or Licensing implications. Ensuring that all procedural / standing order requirements are complied with and advising elected Members as necessary.
• To monitor changes in the law and practice as they affect the areas of the team and implement changes when necessary. To inform the client departments of changes in the law and practice.

Skills:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX entitled to practice in England and Wales.
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and to work on own initiative as necessary.
• Broad knowledge of Local Government law or equivalent knowledge.
• Experience and knowledge of planning and highways legislation.
• Willingness to develop knowledge and experience of licensing law.
• Ability to effectively communicate legal issues to Members and officers and to provide cogent legal advice accordingly.
• Ability to draft and communicate legal advice concisely and in plain English.
• Ability to work constructively with elected Members and be politically aware and sensitive.
• Desirable to have experience of working in a Local Government team.
• Knowledge of civil procedures and procedure, such as public inquiries and judicial reviews.

Contract: Initial 6 to 12 month ongoing contract with the opportunity to extend. PAYE via Umbrella. Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Hybrid (1 day onsite).