Solicitor - Regulatory

Derbyshire County Council; Matlock; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Flexitime

Free onsite parking

Discounted leisure centre membership

Staff benefits and discounts

Job summary

Derbyshire Dales District Council is seeking an enthusiastic Solicitor to join our friendly Legal Team in Matlock. You will handle a varied caseload and provide practical legal advice supporting council services and local communities.

You’ll deliver high-quality advice across licensing, planning, enforcement, environmental health, housing, litigation and governance, advising officers and Members and representing the Council in courts and inquiries.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with experience in planning, enforcement, licensing, environmental health, housing or litigation.
• Provides clear, pragmatic and practical legal advice.
• Strong judgement, analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Communicates confidently and manages competing priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice and representation across regulatory and public law matters.
• Advise officers and Members, represent the Council at courts, tribunals, inquiries, hearings and committees.
• Draft legal documents, notices and agreements.
• Support colleagues across wider areas of local authority law.

Skills

Regulatory & Public Law

Planning

Licensing

Enforcement

Environmental Health

Housing

Litigation

Governance

Legal Advice

Client Advice

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Why join us?

• 26 days' annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years, plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• flexible and hybrid working
• flexitime
• free onsite parking
• discounted leisure centre membership
• staff benefits and discounts

We welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time hours or alternative working arrangements and will consider flexibility wherever possible.

Location

Derbyshire Dales District Council, Matlock

Reference: JOB/26/03042

Salary details: 50,771 - 54,300 Includes 9% market supplement

Job term: Full Time

Appointment type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Closing Date: 01 November 2026

Looking for a varied legal role where you can make a real difference? Derbyshire Dales District Council is looking for an enthusiastic Solicitor to join our friendly and supportive Legal Team. You'll enjoy a varied caseload, genuine responsibility and the opportunity to provide practical legal advice supporting vital council services and local communities.

About the role

You’ll provide high-quality legal advice and representation across a broad range of regulatory and public law matters, including licensing, planning, enforcement, environmental health, housing, litigation and governance. You’ll advise officers and Members, represent the Council at courts, tribunals, inquiries, hearings and committees, and draft legal documents, notices and agreements. As part of a small, collaborative team, you’ll also have opportunities to support colleagues across wider areas of local authority law, making this an excellent role for a lawyer looking to broaden their experience.

About you

a qualified solicitor who: has experience in one or more relevant areas, such as planning, enforcement, licensing, environmental health, housing or litigationprovides clear, pragmatic and practical legal advicehas sound judgement, strong analytical skills and attention to detailcommunicates confidently and manages competing priorities effectivelyenjoys working collaboratively and is willing to support colleagues across different areas of legal practice.Local government experience would be an advantage, but it isn't essential. We're equally interested in candidates with the transferable skills and enthusiasm to develop their career in local government.