Lead Lawyer - Planning & Highways

Location: Hybrid Working with Agile working across Westmorland & Furness

Contract Type: Permanent

Why work for Westmorland and Furness Council

Westmorland and Furness Council will be an ambitious authority that will shape public services for the better, building on the best and transforming them for the future. We are committed to putting our customers and communities first, and to be the heart of everything we do.

About this role

Westmorland & Furness Council is seeking an experienced Lead Lawyer (Planning & Highways) to play a senior role within our Legal Team. This is an exciting opportunity to support on the Council’s planning and highways work.

In this leadership role you will provide high‑quality, practical and focused legal advice on planning and highways work and corporate projects. You will also supervise and mentor colleagues, helping to develop excellence within the team and ensure high practice standards across Legal Services.

What You’ll Be Doing

To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer and have a good working knowledge in:

• Leading on completion of S106 Agreements
• Advising at Planning Committees
• Preparing for hearings and inquiries
• Dealing with planning appeals
• Planning Enforcement
• Leading on completion of S278 Agreements and other Highways Agreements
• Contributing to service planning and maintaining high standards of legal practice management

About You

You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEX Lawyer with a current practising certificate and at least 3 years’ post‑qualification experience. You will bring strong expertise in planning and highways law and be confident advising at a senior level and supporting colleagues through supervision and mentoring.

You will be a strong team player with a proven track record of delivering to deadlines, have effective communication skills and be able to use sound judgment to solve problems. You will be used to working in a busy pressurised environment and will enjoy a challenge. A commitment to delivering the best possible service for the benefit of our residents and clients, is required. You must have good IT literacy skills and an ability to use electronic publications for the purpose of legal work and research are critical.

Other duties will include dealing with a range of matters including providing advice to officers and elected members, attending Council Planning Committees and working groups as required.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes.

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