Senior Solicitor - AR

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Solicitor (Planning, Litigation & Property)

Grade: Grade 11

Directorate: Legal and Planning

Division: Legal Services

Responsible to: Chief Solicitor and Deputy Monitoring Officer

Responsible for: No direct line management responsibility

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality legal advice and representation to the Council across a broad range of work including planning, litigation, housing, property, and general local government matters, covering both contentious and non-contentious legal work.

The post holder will act as a senior legal advisor and advocate, supporting Council services, Members, and committees, and representing the Council in court where required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Advice & Support

• Provide clear, practical legal advice to Council officers, Members, and service areas.
• Support directorates including Planning, Housing, Estates, Licensing, and Environmental Services.
• Advise on legal risk, governance, and statutory compliance.

1. Planning Law & Enforcement

• Advise on planning matters including enforcement action and regulatory compliance.
• Draft and negotiate Section 106 agreements and other planning obligations.
• Support planning appeals and public inquiries.
• Prepare and conduct prosecutions for planning and building control offences in the Magistrates' Court.

1. Litigation & Court Work

• Conduct litigation on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates' Court and County Court.
• Undertake prosecutions including:
  • Planning and building regulation breaches
  • Housing possession claims
  • Welfare benefit fraud matters
• Prepare legal documentation, witness statements, and case files.
• Represent the Council as an advocate in court proceedings.

1. Housing & Property Law

• Advise on housing management issues including possession proceedings and tenancy disputes.
• Deal with homelessness-related legal matters where required.
• Handle property law matters including:
  • Conveyancing and Council land transactions
  • Right to Buy sales
  • Boundary disputes, easements, and adverse possession
• Support compulsory purchase and land assembly work.

1. Contracts & Commercial Agreements

• Draft, review, and negotiate a range of legal agreements including:
  • Leases and licences
  • Tenancy and partnership agreements
  • Construction and commercial contracts
• Undertake title investigations and legal due diligence.

1. Regulatory & Committee Work

• Provide legal advice at Council committee and sub-committee meetings.
• Advise on licensing matters and attend licensing hearings when required.
• Draft statutory orders including Off-Street Parking Orders and similar regulatory instruments.
• Support the creation and management of Local Nature Reserves and other statutory designations.

1. Enforcement & Regulatory Action

• Advise on and support enforcement action including anti-social behaviour-related legal processes.
• Assist with gathering and presenting evidence for court proceedings.
• Draft and administer Simple Cautions and related enforcement tools.

1. Governance & General Legal Work

• Conduct legal research and provide advice on complex or novel legal issues.
• Assist with Monitoring Officer functions as required.
• Support corporate governance and decision making processes.

1. Mentoring & Team Support

• Provide guidance and informal support to junior legal staff.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and development within Legal Services.

Other Duties

• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post as required by the Chief Solicitor or Director of Legal and Planning.
• Participate in training and continuous professional development.

Additional Requirements

• Designated car user status applies to this post.
• This is a politically restricted post.
• Commitment to high standards of public service, equality, diversity, health and safety compliance.

Role Summary

This is a senior in house legal role within a local authority, combining planning law, litigation, housing, property, and regulatory work, requiring strong advocacy skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload across both contentious and non contentious matters.