Planning Lawyer

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the progressive London Borough of Hackney Legal Service, where you will play a vital role in delivering the Mayor’s Priorities and the Council’s vision of keeping Hackney as a place for everyone.

We are currently looking to recruit to the following position with the aim of developing an innovative and accessible service which contributes to the shaping of service delivery within a high profile Local Authority.

We are looking for a practising lawyer (i.e. a qualified solicitor, a barrister who has completed pupillage or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives) who is solutions focused and driven to achieve successful outcomes for our clients.

You will be responsible for a mixed caseload and must be proactive in dealing with non-contentious matters. Excellent communication skills are essential, but you will also exemplify the tact and discretion needed to handle sometimes highly confidential and sensitive matters.

Commercialisation, Planning & Sustainable Procurement Team

We need an experienced planning lawyer to join the Commercialisation, Planning & Sustainable Procurement Team which advises and undertakes all aspects of planning law within a Local Authority setting. The focus being drafting and preparation of section 106 Legal Agreements, Highway Agreements, researching areas of law and presenting them in clear and understandable terms to the client, Planning Appeals, Planning Committees, understanding the workings of local government and other matters . We require lawyers with excellent professional knowledge, with good understanding of governance and an attention to detail. Inevitably you will demonstrate resilience and tenacity but above all you must have a real enthusiasm for this area of work.

This is an exciting time to join the London Borough of Hackney, a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. If you are a person who will truly live our organisational values: being open, ambitious, pioneering, inclusive, proactive and proud – proud of Hackney, of the Council, and of the work we do – then we would love to hear from you.

If you would like to have an informal chat about about the role please contact either Patrick Rodger (Senior Lawyer) on 0208 356 6187 or Georgia Lazari Team Leader (Places) on 0208 356 1369

The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.

When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions or any part of the application form.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 6 May 2024 (22:59 pm)

Interview date: to be confirmed

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, age and marital status. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk