Overview

As a Senior Lawyer (Planning), you will provide high-quality professional legal services and manage a caseload of complex planning matters. You will deliver high-level legal advice and services to elected Members, committees, senior managers and staff across all three local authorities, ensuring planning decisions and processes comply with legal standards and Lexcel requirements. You will stay informed of legal developments in planning law, contribute to policy development, and support planning appeals and inquiries while maintaining compliance and strategic alignment of local policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level legal advice and service on planning matters to elected Members, committees, senior managers and staff across the three local authorities.
• Draft and review critical planning documents and support at planning appeals and inquiries.
• Ensure planning decisions and processes comply with legal standards and Lexcel requirements.
• Stay informed of changes and developments in planning law and contribute to policy development.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective planning processes.
• Supervise junior fee earners and administrative staff in the Planning team.
• Deliver training and member briefings to enhance understanding of planning law and procedures.
• Work on large and high-profile projects across the Partner Authorities as part of the MKLS Planning Team.

Qualifications

• To be considered as Senior Lawyer (Planning):
• Be a qualified lawyer, solicitor, barrister, legal executive or have equivalent qualification and experience.
• Post-qualification legal practice experience in planning and development.
• Experience with case management and legal research.
• Supervisory experience in connection with planning casework.
• Experience with legal document drafting.
• Experience of planning appeals and court proceedings.
• Familiarity with statutory instruments, regulations, and guidance relating to local government planning and development law.
• Experience in advising committees.
• Experience operating in politically sensitive environments.
• Knowledge and understanding of the political nature of local government and the democratic process.
• A full, valid UK driving licence.

About MKLS

Mid Kent Legal Services (MKLS) provides legal services and advice across the Mid-Kent area (to Swale, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells councils). The service covers Property and Regeneration, Planning, Contentious, Contracts & Commissioning and Corporate Governance. Working across multiple councils means a range of high-level, challenging and impactful work ranging from supporting the delivery of garden communities, to the redevelopment of large shopping centres, to letting very large contracts, to delivering affordable housing. In short, it\'s a real opportunity to make a difference in an area with vibrant towns, beautiful villages and countryside and fantastic leisure and cultural amenities.

MKLS has a reputation as being forward thinking, progressive and innovative and is closely and strongly aligned with its partner authorities. It provides a supportive and nurturing environment, providing opportunities for staff to progress internally and uses technology to maximise the effective use of lawyers\' time. In short, it is a great place to work.

Role Details

We are now looking for a Senior Lawyer (Planning) to join us on a full-time, permanent basis, working 34 hours per week.

Salary of £48,657 - £54,727 per annum + £7,000 market supplement.

• Local Government pension scheme
• Generous annual leave plus time off between Christmas and New Year (and an option to purchase extra leave)
• Wellbeing support including confidential advice, counselling and flu vaccines
• Discounts on leisure, retail and fuel and salary sacrifice schemes, including Cycle to Work and car leasing
• Generous sick pay
• Free parking across all 3 Partner Authority sites
• Season ticket loans for rail/bus travel

Working Arrangements and Benefits

This is the ideal opportunity for an experienced planning lawyer with a track record of dealing with complex and often high-profile planning agreements, providing high-level legal advice and dealing with the complex issues arising from present-day developments, to join our forward-thinking shared service. With exceptional benefits, including a brilliant pension scheme and opportunities for professional growth, you\'ll have the chance to make a positive impact whilst developing a better work/life balance and furthering your career.

We offer outstanding working arrangements, with the majority of your time spent working from home and a 34-hour working week, including 1pm finishes on Fridays. We offer a number of working options such as compressed hours, nine-day fortnights and part-time working, all within an inclusive and supportive working environment where your wellbeing is prioritised.