Senior Planning Solicitor - Local Authority (Temp: London)

Pertemps Network Group are proud to be partnering with a reputable and forward-thinking Local Authority to recruit a Senior Solicitor specialising in Planning, Highways and Licensing. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced legal professional to work on high-profile regeneration and redevelopment projects, supporting strategic initiatives that directly impact local communities.

This role sits within the Planning and Property legal team, providing specialist legal advice to senior officers, elected members and key stakeholders across the council.

Rate: £380 - 400 (a day)
Flexibility: Office x2 days a Month


The Role 

As Senior Solicitor, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, proactive and commercially focused legal advice across planning, highways, licensing and regeneration matters.
You will support major development projects, infrastructure schemes and complex legal matters while ensuring the council continues to deliver excellent value and services for residents.


Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on planning, highways, licensing and regeneration matters
• Advise planning officers on major planning applications and urban redevelopment projects
• Draft, negotiate and advise on complex planning agreements, highway agreements and property transactions
• Provide specialist advice on compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) and land appropriation
• Represent the council and provide legal advice at Planning Committees and Licensing Sub-Committees
• Manage and conduct public inquiries, planning appeals and judicial review proceedings in the High Court, Court of Appeal and relevant tribunals
• Provide legal advice on risk, governance and monitoring officer responsibilities
• Support the Head of Law and senior leadership on complex and high-profile legal matters
• Instruct and manage Counsel and external legal advisors where appropriate
• Maintain accurate legal records and ensure work is delivered in line with professional standards
• Contribute to the council’s wider objectives, including sustainability and environmental commitments

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must hold one of the following professional qualifications:

• Qualified Solicitor of England & Wales
• Barrister qualified to practice in England & Wales
• Fellow of CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) with rights of audience and entitlement to practise

Essential Experience

• Advising on planning law, property law and regeneration projects
• Dealing with complex or high-profile planning and development matters
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating Section 106 agreements, planning agreements and highway agreements
• Advising on major development schemes and regeneration initiatives
• Dealing with compulsory purchase orders and land appropriation
• Experience advising senior officers, councillors and decision-makers
• Experience managing planning appeals, inquiries or judicial review proceedings

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of planning law, highways law, licensing law and regeneration frameworks
• Ability to draft complex legal agreements and legal documentation
• Excellent negotiation, communication and influencing skills
• Ability to provide clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex caseloads
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality legal services within tight deadlines

Why Join?

• Opportunity to work on major urban redevelopment and regeneration projects
• Be part of a high-performing and supportive legal team
• Play a key role in delivering strategic projects that benefit local communities
• Flexible and hybrid working options available

Pertemps Network Group welcomes applications from experienced legal professionals looking to take the next step in their public sector legal career.