Legal Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting a Legal Officer for a 3-month contract with a Local Authority in Nottingham. The role focuses on Planning, Highways, Rights of Way, and major projects, delivering timely, pragmatic legal advice and casework to support service delivery.

The post involves representing the Council in proceedings, maintaining compliance with statutory duties, and contributing to continuous improvement within Legal Services.

Qualifications

• Recent experience providing legal advice and support within a legal practice, local authority, public sector, or similar environment.
• Experience managing and prioritising a varied workload effectively.
• Experience working collaboratively within a team environment.
• Experience delivering high standards of customer service.
• Experience in Planning Law, Highways Law, Rights of Way, Local Government Law, Major Projects and Development Work.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and guidance on Planning, Highways, Rights of Way, and related areas.
• Manage and progress legal casework within agreed timescales.
• Draft, review, and advise on legal documents and reports.
• Support senior colleagues on complex cases and projects.
• Undertake legal research and prepare written opinions as required.
• Represent the Council in proceedings, hearings, and negotiations as appropriate.
• Attend meetings to provide legal advice and support and liaise with Counsel and external parties.
• Ensure work complies with legislation, standards and policies.
• Contribute to development of policies, procedures and best practices.
• Deliver training and knowledge-sharing sessions to colleagues and clients.

Skills

Legal research

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Organisational skills

Stakeholder management

Independence

Confidentiality

Ethics

Education

Law degree (LLB)

Graduate Legal Qualification

Membership of a professional body

Educated to A-Level

Evidence of CPD

Job description

Nottingham, United Kingdom | Posted on 17/07/2026

Job Description

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Legal Officer (Highway Planning project)

Job Purpose

To provide professional legal advice, guidance, andrepresentation to the Council and other customers of Legal Services, with aprimary focus on Planning, Highways, Rights of Way, and major projects. Thepostholder will undertake legal casework, support service delivery, andcontribute to the effective operation of the Legal Services function, ensuringcompliance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and professionalstandards.

The role requires the provision of timely, pragmatic, andcustomer-focused legal support while contributing to service improvement,knowledge sharing, and the achievement of departmental objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advice and Case Management

• Providelegal advice and guidance on matters relating to Planning, Highways,Rights of Way, and other legal disciplines as directed.
  
• Manageand progress legal casework efficiently and professionally within agreedtimescales.
  
• Draft,review, and advise on legal documents, agreements, reports, notices, andrelated documentation.
  
• Supportsenior legal colleagues on complex cases, projects, and corporateinitiatives.
  
• Undertakelegal research and prepare written opinions where required.
  

Representation and Advocacy

• Representthe Council and its customers in legal proceedings, hearings, inquiries,tribunals, meetings, and negotiations as appropriate.
  
• Attendinternal and external meetings to provide legal advice and support.
  
• Liaisewith Counsel, solicitors, external agencies, and other stakeholders wherenecessary.
  

Compliance and Governance

• Ensureall work is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, regulatoryrequirements, professional standards, and Council policies.
  
• Complywith internal procedures, protocols, and quality standards.
  
• Escalatelegal, operational, or service delivery risks to managers promptly.
  
• Maintainawareness of developments in legislation, case law, and professionalpractice relevant to the role.
  

Service Improvement and Development

• Contributeto the development and implementation of legal policies, procedures, andbest practices.
  
• Identifyopportunities to improve efficiency, service delivery, and customeroutcomes.
  
• Deliverlegal training, guidance, and knowledge-sharing sessions to colleagues andclients where appropriate.
  
• Supportcontinuous improvement initiatives within Legal Services.
  

Teamwork and Customer Service

• Developand maintain productive working relationships with colleagues, clients,elected members, and external stakeholders.
  
• Workcollaboratively across teams and departments to achieve serviceobjectives.
  
• Providea high standard of customer-focused service and respond effectively tocustomer needs.
  
• Contributepositively to team performance and organisational objectives.
  

Experience

• Recentexperience providing legal advice and support within a legal practice,local authority, public sector, or similar environment.
  
• Experienceof managing and prioritising a varied workload effectively.
  
• Experienceof working collaboratively within a team environment.
  
• Experienceof delivering high standards of customer service.
  
• Experiencein one or more of the following areas:
  
• PlanningLaw
  
• HighwaysLaw
  
• Rightsof Way
  
• LocalGovernment Law
  
• MajorProjects and Development Work
  
• Experienceof attending and supporting legal proceedings, hearings, inquiries, orcommittee meetings.
  
• Experienceof drafting legal documents and providing legal opinions.
  

Qualifications

• Educatedto A-Level standard or equivalent relevant experience.
  
• Evidenceof continuing professional development.
  
• LawDegree (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification.
  
• GraduateLegal Qualification or equivalent professional legal training.
  
• Membershipof a relevant professional body.
  

Knowledge and Skills

• Stronglegal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Excellentverbal and written communication skills.
  
• Abilityto interpret and apply legislation, regulations, and legal guidance.
  
• Effectivetime management and organisational skills.
  
• Abilityto work independently and use initiative.
  
• Stronginterpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Commitmentto excellent customer service.
  
• Understandingof confidentiality and professional ethics.
  
• Knowledgeof Planning, Highways, Rights of Way, or Local Government Law.
  
• Understandingof Local Authority governance and decision-making processes.
  
• Awarenessof public sector legal and regulatory frameworks.
  

Key Accountabilities

• Deliverlegal services to a high professional standard in accordance withstatutory and regulatory requirements.
  
• Meetagreed service, business plan, and individual performance objectives.
  
• Deliverlegal work effectively within available resources and budget constraints.
  
• Contributeto improved customer satisfaction and service performance.
  
• Maintainpositive working relationships with colleagues, customers, andstakeholders.
  
• Promotecontinuous improvement and efficient service delivery.
  
• Undertakeany additional duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities ofthe post.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Loughborough Road, West Bridgford,Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 7QP, United Kingdom
  
• Working Arrangement: Hybrid working with attendance at the office as required.
  
• Work Pattern: Office attendance required when dealing with hard copy documentation,legal completions, and other business-critical activities requiring aphysical presence.
  
• Hours: Full-time hours (in line with servicerequirements).
  
• Flexibility: Candidates must be able to attend the office at short notice when requiredto support service delivery.
  
• Professional Environment: Opportunity to work within a busy Legal Services team supporting planning,highways, rights of way, and major project work.
  
• Casework Exposure: Therole offers exposure to a varied caseload and the opportunity to work witha range of internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Start Date: Immediate start available (subject to pre-employment checks).
  
• Travel: Occasional travel may be required toattend meetings, hearings, or legal proceedings where necessary.
  
• Closing Date: soon(early applications encouraged)