Planning Lawyer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Broxtowe; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a Senior Solicitor for a three-month contract with a local authority in Broxtowe, United Kingdom. You will provide high-quality legal advice across planning, property, licensing, housing and regulatory matters, and represent the Council in court when required.

You will manage a varied caseload, handle planning enforcement and Section 106 matters, draft and negotiate contracts, and support governance through committee meetings while mentoring junior colleagues.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Fellow with a current practising certificate.
• Significant experience in local government legal practice or public sector.
• Strong knowledge of planning law, including both contentious and non-contentious planning matters.
• Experience representing clients in court and conducting advocacy.
• Proven ability to manage a diverse legal caseload independently and prioritise competing demands.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of local government legislation, governance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to provide practical, solution-focused legal advice while maintaining high professional standards.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal advice to Council officers, Members, and relevant stakeholders across a range of legal matters.
• Manage a varied caseload of contentious and non-contentious work, with a focus on planning law.
• Advise on planning enforcement, building regulation enforcement, Section 106 agreements, planning inquiries, and related legal matters.
• Represent the Council in the Magistrates' and County Courts, undertaking advocacy where required.
• Prepare and conduct licensing committee hearings and provide legal advice on licensing matters.
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on contracts, leases, licences, tenancy agreements, easements, partnership agreements, and other legal documentation.
• Advise on property, housing, conveyancing, compulsory purchase, Right to Buy, and land-related matters.
• Support enforcement activity relating to anti-social behaviour, welfare benefit fraud, and other regulatory functions.
• Attend Council committee and sub-committee meetings to provide legal advice and governance support.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior legal colleagues and assist with legal research and wider team support.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEX with current practising certificate

Job description

Broxtowe, United Kingdom | Posted on 01/07/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

3 Months Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

The Senior Solicitor is responsible for providing high-quality legal advice and representation across a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters, with a particular focus on planning law. The role supports the Council by delivering expert legal services across planning, property, licensing, housing, and regulatory matters, representing the Council in court where required, and ensuring legal compliance while contributing to effective decision-making and service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal advice to Council officers, Members, and relevant stakeholders across a range of legal matters.
• Manage a varied caseload of contentious and non-contentious work, with a focus on planning law.
• Advise on planning enforcement, building regulation enforcement, Section 106 agreements, planning inquiries, and related legal matters.
• Represent the Council in the Magistrates' and County Courts, undertaking advocacy where required.
• Prepare and conduct licensing committee hearings and provide legal advice on licensing matters.
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on contracts, leases, licences, tenancy agreements, easements, partnership agreements, and other legal documentation.
• Advise on property, housing, conveyancing, compulsory purchase, Right to Buy, and land-related matters.
• Support enforcement activity relating to anti-social behaviour, welfare benefit fraud, and other regulatory functions.
• Attend Council committee and sub-committee meetings to provide legal advice and governance support.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior legal colleagues and assist with legal research and wider team support.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) with a current practising certificate.
• Significant experience in local government legal practice or a similar public sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of planning law, including both contentious and non-contentious planning matters.
• Experience representing clients in court and conducting advocacy.
• Proven ability to manage a diverse legal caseload independently and prioritise competing demands.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of local government legislation, governance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to provide practical, solution-focused legal advice while maintaining high professional standards.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (Designated Car User).