Job Purpose
To provide high-quality, timely and commercially focused legal advice and expertise to the Council on planning and related local government matters.
The postholder will manage a complex planning caseload with minimal supervision, providing practical and solutions-focused legal advice to Members, Directors, senior officers and client departments. The role will support the Council in managing legal, operational, financial and reputational risks and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, case law and the Council’s Constitution.
The postholder will also contribute to the effective and efficient delivery of the Legal Services function and provide appropriate support to senior colleagues on planning and related matters.
- Manage a diverse and complex planning caseload with minimal supervision, prioritising work effectively and meeting demanding deadlines.
- Provide clear, pragmatic and authoritative legal advice to officers, senior management and Members on planning and related matters.
- Identify and advise on legal, political, operational, financial and reputational risks arising from planning matters and other issues relevant to the Council.
- Draft, review, advise on and negotiate legal documentation, including Section 106 agreements, highway agreements, licences and documentation relating to planning enforcement.
- Advise on and assist with planning enforcement action, planning appeals and judicial reviews.
- Advise on planning committee reports and attend planning committees as required, including deputising for the Senior Planning Lawyer where appropriate.
- Provide advice on public administrative and constitutional matters where relevant to planning and Council decision-making.
- Instruct and manage external counsel, solicitors, consultants and experts where appropriate.
- Keep clients informed of relevant developments in legislation, case law and legal practice and ensure appropriate client care through regular updates.
- Identify and implement creative, proportionate and facilitative solutions to client problems.
- Identify opportunities to improve legal case management, processes, technology and service delivery, taking account of available resources and budgetary constraints.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across Legal Services and client departments, maintaining effective professional relationships and contributing to an integrated service.
- Provide timely, cogent and relevant advice and information on significant, strategic, operational and sensitive matters.
- Ensure legal costs associated with the postholder’s work are appropriately managed and remain within relevant budgets.
- Undertake legal research and maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, guidance and case law.
- Attend evening meetings, including planning committees and relevant events within the borough, and work additional hours where reasonably required to meet pressing deadlines.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably falling within the remit of the role.
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
- Minimum of four years’ post-qualification legal experience.
- Substantial experience of providing legal advice within planning law and/or a closely related local government legal specialism.
- Strong knowledge and practical understanding of planning legislation, regulations, case law and relevant local government legal frameworks.
- Experience of managing a diverse and demanding caseload with minimal supervision.
- Proven ability to prioritise competing demands and work effectively to tight deadlines.
- Experience of advising senior officers and/or Members on complex and sensitive legal matters.
- Experience of advising at committees, preferably planning committees.
- Experience of drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal agreements and documents relevant to planning matters.
- Experience of advising on planning enforcement, planning appeals and/or judicial reviews.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and practical advice to a range of audiences.
- Strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify legal and wider organisational risks.
- Ability to develop creative and pragmatic solutions to complex client problems.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and build effective professional relationships.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgement and take responsibility for delivering outcomes.
- Commitment to maintaining high professional standards and keeping knowledge of relevant law and practice up to date.
- Willingness to attend evening meetings, including committees and events within the borough, and work additional hours where required to meet pressing deadlines.
- Experience of working within a local authority legal service.
- Experience of supervising, mentoring or supporting the development of junior legal staff.
- Experience of advising Members and senior management on strategic, operational and politically sensitive matters.
- Experience of using legal case management systems and technology to improve efficiency and service delivery.
- Location: London Borough of Bexley
- Hours per week: 36
- Payment: Bi-weekly
