Assistant Principal Lawyer (Planning)

Hb Public Law; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle Scheme

Green Car Benefit Scheme

Civil Service Sports Council

Staff discounts and wellbeing support

Job summary

HB Public Law is seeking an Assistant Principal Planning Lawyer to join the Planning, Property and Regeneration team.

You will help manage the team, attend planning committees, and handle a busy caseload across four local authorities, advising on planning and related property matters. Applications from local government, private practice or other relevant backgrounds are welcome.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX with litigation practising rights.
• Experience in planning law is essential; planning and property experience is advantageous.
• Ability to manage own caseload and prioritise competing demands.
• Strong client communication and care skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the Planning, Property and Regeneration team alongside other Assistant Principal Lawyers.
• Attend planning committees and provide strategic planning advice on various matters.
• Deal with planning law tasks including section 278 and section 106 agreements, highways work and regeneration schemes.

Skills

Solicitor

Barrister

CILEX

Planning law

Property law

Caseload management

Job description

Assistant Principal Lawyer (Planning) – Property, Planning and Regeneration Team

HB Public Law

Permanent – Hybrid working arrangement

Join One of London's Leading Shared Legal Practices

HB Public Law is an innovative and ambitious shared legal service operated by and based in the London Borough of Harrow and providing legal support to the London Boroughs of Harrow, Barnet and Hounslow, together with Slough Borough Council. HB Public Law are looking to recruit an Assistant Principal Planning Lawyer to join the Planning, Property and Regeneration team.

This is a unique opportunity to support management of the team and undertake a varied and rewarding caseload across four local authorities, advising on matters that have a direct impact on local communities.

Applications from any sector with a strong planning background are welcome to apply, so whether you are currently working in local government, private practice or another relevant environment, we would be keen to hear from you.

Responsibilities of the Assistant Principal Lawyer:

The successful Assistant Principal Lawyer will work alongside the other Assistant Principal Lawyer(s) to manage the team, as well as attending and advising at planning committees and carrying a busy, complex and interesting caseload of planning matters, along with some property law related matters. The role will include (but not be limited to) dealing with section 278 agreements, section 106 agreements, highways work, development proposals and regeneration schemes, and providing advice to the client on a wide range of planning matters.

What the successful Assistant Principal Lawyer will need:

We are looking for individuals who are motivated, collaborative and committed to delivering high-quality legal services and keen to a step up in their legal career.

You will be:

• A qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEX) with litigation practising rights, or soon to qualify
• Experienced in planning law, although experience in both planning and property law is advantageous
• Comfortable managing your own caseload and prioritising competing demands
• A strong communicator with excellent client care skills

We welcome applications from:

• Senior local authority planning lawyers with an interest in developing their skills in a management role
• Planning lawyers also with experience in property or keen to develop into that area.

Why Join HB Public Law?

This is a unique opportunity to develop your career within a supportive, friendly and highly experienced team that values collaboration, learning and professional development. Working across four local authorities provides exposure to a breadth of work rarely available within a single organisation, allowing you to develop a wide range of expertise and gain experience of complex and challenging cases. HB Public Law are committed to supporting lawyers' development and have a strong track record of helping people progress throughout their careers.

In addition, HB Public Law offer:

• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Cycle Scheme
• Green Car Benefit Scheme
• Civil Service Sports Council membership
• Staff discounts and wellbeing support initiatives

Working Arrangements

HB Public Law operate from a hybrid office and lawyers typically attend the office two days per week, together with any required committee attendance and client meetings (where these are not held remotely).

Closing Date: 21/10/2026

Proposed interview dates: 6th/10th/12th/13th November 2026