Planning Lawyer — Local Authority Contract

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

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.