Senior Planning Lawyer

Seven Resourcing are looking for a Senior Lawyer (Planning) to work with Swale Borough Council in Kent

This position is initially on an interim basis for 5 Months

34 Hours Per Week

£43.93 Per Hour (PAYE) or £55.00 Per Hour (Umbrella)

The Job-

To undertake an extensive legal caseload of complex planning related work as part of the Shared Legal Service referred to as "Mid Kent Legal Services" (MKLS).

To undertake an extensive legal caseload of complex planning related work as a senior member of the MKLS Planning team providing high level legal advice services to elected members, including committees and to senior managers and staff across the MKIP authorities (Maidstone, Swale & Tunbridge Wells BCs) and to any other MKLS customer in accordance with Lexcel standards and in a way that reflects the MKLS values.To appear on behalf of the MKIP authorities and any other MKLS customers at the Magistrates Court, County Court, Tribunals and Inquiries as required and to instruct Counsel in Higher Court Matters.

To keep abreast of legal developments in the field of Planning and help to ensure that the MKLS Planning team operates in accordance with modern good practice.

To provide legal supervision to less senior fee earners in the MKLS Planning team as appropriate and work closely with Legal Support Officers to supervise the administrative support they provide on legal transactions.

Applicant Requirements-

Qualified solicitor or barrister or chartered legal executive. 

Post qualification legal practice experience in the field of Planning, including Court and Inquiry procedures .

Experience of advising at committees and member briefings on all aspects of planning law & procedures.

A track record of providing legal advice and support to senior leaders and key decision-makers at the highest levels in the subject area of planning law and practice.

Experience of operating in politically sensitive environments and able to demonstrate a good degree of political nous.

Good knowledge and understanding of Planning law and practice including Court and Inquiry procedures .

Advocacy skills and experience as an advocate in court and inquiries, only instructing counsel in exceptional circumstances

Knowledge and understanding of the political nature of local government and democratic process.

Personal gravitas with an ability to operate with confidence and credibility at the highest levels of the MKIP authorities.

Able to demonstrate through previous experience the qualities and characteristics relevant to this post that are set out in the MKLS values.

High standards of written and oral communication with demonstrable ability to communicate with elected members, senior managers and staff at all levels.

Resilient and committed, remaining composed under pressure.

Ability to respond efficiently to the changing needs of clients and competing priorities of the MKIP authorities.

Understanding of the role of legal services and how they can contribute to the achievement of corporate priorities.

Understanding of the corporate priorities of the MKIP authorities and how they relate to the work of MKLS.

Ability to travel to attend offices of the MKIP authorities wherever that office may be based.

Ability to be able to travel to attend courts wherever the case is being considered.

Ability to be available (i) to attend evening meetings at the offices of the MKIP authorities and (ii) in the event of emergencies or urgent management issues in relation to the MKIP authorities.

Full driving licence.