Are you committed to making a difference? Do you want the work you do to have a real impact for the local community? Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your career to undertake varied and complex case work?
We have two openings in our Planning and Highways Legal Team for 1x Lawyer and 1 x Senior Lawyer to join us.
The salaries advertised for these roles are dependent on experience. We have two full-time posts available but will consider applications for part-time working. Please note if you are working part-time the salary would be pro-rata.
About us
Legal Services is at the heart of the Organisation and provides a fast paced and rewarding career in a supportive environment. Career development is something we are very passionate about; we are committed to building an exceptional in-house Legal Service, utilising our colleague’s talent and making the most of what they have to offer.
This is an exciting time to join us, as we continue to grow and develop our service. The recently redesigned in-house legal service is expanding to support the varied work of this diverse authority and to provide a wider range of in-house specialism.
https://buckinghamshire.pagetiger.com/legal-services
If that’s not enough reason to join us, you will be entitled to a range of benefits from Buckinghamshire Council including a very competitive employer pension contribution, generous annual leave allowance and discounts in a range of services and restaurants.
About the role
We are seeking qualified legal professionals who enjoy working collaboratively to offer proactive, innovative and customer-focussed advice, and to support the delivery of multi-disciplined, high-profile projects.
We are recruiting for two positions, a Senior Lawyer and a Lawyer. Please state on your application which post you wish to be considered for:
Senior Lawyer - Salary grade 9
You will undertake a complex and varied caseload to deliver on the Councils regulatory function in planning, including drafting and negotiating complex and high value S106 agreements, attending and advising at planning committees, enforcement, public inquiries, as well as bespoke advice. You will be an active team member and support and engage with the development of junior members of the team. Knowledge of Judicial review and Neighbourhood Planning is desirable as is knowledge of statutory and common law highway provisions.
Lawyer - Salary grade 8
In this role you will be an active engaged member of the team providing legal advice to the regulatory function of the council as Local Planning Authority. You will undertake research and advice in all areas including enforcement, attend at public inquiries as well as drafting and negotiating S106 agreements. Planning committee experience would be advantageous although training will be provided with a view to regular attendance at planning committees. Highways experience is desirable including drafting highway agreements.
For further information on these roles please see the attached job summary.
About you
We welcome applications from Solicitors, Barristers and Legal Executives with relevant experience advising officers and members in planning law, built from a career in either the public or private sector. Naturally, you will be professional, highly motivated and proactive, with a developed knowledge in Planning. You will bring experience, knowledge and excellent drafting skills to the role, as well as the ability to provide sound legal advice. You will be collaborative and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and will actively participate and support the team.
Other information
We have adopted a hybrid way of working offering flexibility in terms of working hours and location. Attendance at the office is expected for team collaboration days, departmental and service meetings. The role also requires attendance at face-to-face meetings and hearings in Buckinghamshire (or further afield). However, we recognise much of this role can also be performed from home or an alternate location. We encourage colleagues to make the most of the options this provides and take control of their own work life balance
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
-All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
-All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).
For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).
We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.
