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Planning Lawyers

col-narrow-left   

Job ID:

33692

Practice Area(s):

Environmental, Planning

Role:

Qualified Lawyer
col-narrow-right   

Employment Type:

Permanent Full-Time

Posted:

13.12.2024

Employer type:

Central Government
col-wide   

Job Description:

£59,200 - £61,200 per annum

Legal Officers should expect their salary to be £49,919 for London/National.

About the Government Legal Department

From energy to security, health to human rights, we help the Government deliver life changing law for citizens.

The Government Legal Department is the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament and the media. Our work includes:

  • Developing and drafting legislation
  • Providing legal advice on policies
  • Securing our economic and trade relationships
  • Ensuring value from commercial contracts worth billions of pounds
  • Providing the Civil Service’s employment law advice

We are at the heart of delivering the Government’s priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department, sponsored by the Attorney General. We are headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary and employ nearly 3000 people, including over 2000 legal professionals. Our offices include London, Leeds, Bristol, Croydon and Manchester as well as overseas. We provide specialist legal services including Litigation, Employment and Commercial Law as well as advising most Government Departments on the policies and services they deliver.

GLD also depends on a range of vital corporate services. These are essential to the smooth and efficient running of the Department and provide the foundation to enable GLD to deliver outstanding legal services. Our corporate functions include Strategy, HR, Finance, Digital, Data and Technology, Communications, Security, Commercial and Project delivery. 

Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service. 

To find out more about what we do visit the Government Legal Department’s webpage or have a look at this short film which showcases the breadth of work government lawyers and legal trainees are involved in.

Job description

I'm excited to share with you a great opportunity at the Government Legal Department. As you might know, we provide legal advice to Government on various areas of law, and planning law is becoming an even bigger focus for us.

With recent announcements on clean energy by 2030, housing, and major commitments to infrastructure development and growth, planning expertise is more crucial than ever. We're looking for talented lawyers with experience in planning law to join our teams.

Your skills in this area can really make a difference in helping the Government achieve its priorities. This is a unique chance to use your knowledge and experience to contribute to national projects and help shape the future of our country.

We'd love to have you on board to help us reach these ambitious goals. If you have the relevant experience and are interested in making a difference on a national scale, please consider bringing your talents to the Government Legal Department.

Thanks for your time and consideration. We look forward to the possibility of working with you on these important initiatives.

Vicky - Deputy Director, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Legal

About DESNZ Legal

We advise the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), together with a number of its Partner Organisations. We are focused on providing legal advice on the UK’s ambitious and innovative energy portfolio, with work spanning policies on carbon reduction technologies, nuclear power, clean energy and heat, energy efficiency, combatting fuel poverty, energy security, energy networks, infrastructure, planning, climate change and net zero obligations. One of the government’s five missions – Clean Power by 2030 – is led out of DESNZ and the majority of our work is targeted at achieving this goal.

DESNZ Legal is a GLD Advisory Directorate, with around 100 people, based predominantly in 3-8 Whitehall Place, London and with growing numbers in Leeds, Bristol and Salford. DESNZ Legal is led by Wendy Hardaker, Legal Director and comprises seven deputy director led client-facing teams and a Business Management Team.  We are a friendly, high performing and collegiate Directorate. Last year we won both the GLD Professionalise award and the Lawyer Award for Regulatory Team of the Year in recognition of our outstanding work and collaboration across boundaries.

The work we do is of the highest profile and some of the most important legal work being done right now in Government. Energy security and net zero have never been more important as we grapple as a nation with balancing our energy security needs against the need to protect our planet for future  generations. At the forefront of that work is energy planning casework and planning reform of nationally significant infrastructure for large scale energy projects. I became a government lawyer to be involved in the sort of work we do in this Directorate. 

Our work is never dull and always high profile and at the forefront of Government policy. It is a privilege to lead such a high performing and brilliant Directorate.

Wendy Hardaker 

DESNZ Legal Director

About Defra Legal Advisers

Defra Legal Advisers (DLA) provides legal advice to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Defra is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry and sustaining a thriving rural economy.

The wide remit means the legal division is involved in a diverse range of activity providing legal advice across the full range of Defra’s domestic and international business, including the natural environment, animal welfare, food, farming and fisheries. Defra’s work has a strong international context and our lawyers support numerous international negotiations, as well as advising on the development of domestic legislation. The Division comprises around 130 staff based in 2 Marsham Street, London SW1 and GLD offices in Bristol, Leeds and Manchester. It has 7 legal teams and a business management team. We are a dynamic, nurturing and high performing division, with a strong emphasis on collaborative working.

I am proud to lead the team in Defra Legal Advisers and of all the vitally important work we do here. We are a kind and inclusive place to work, and I’m passionate about ensuring everyone feels empowered, energised and enthusiastic about the work they do and their future careers.

James Maskell

Defra Legal Advisers Director

About MHCLG Legal

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is  responsible for policies on planning, housing, building safety, community integration and regeneration, elections and local government. The Ministry has an ambitious agenda to drive up housing supply, increase home ownership, devolve powers and budgets to boost local growth and to support strong public services.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) is an executive agency of MHCLG who help deliver a fair planning system for England. PINS make decisions and provide recommendations on a range of land use planning-related casework across England. The work PINS does has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy. 

MHCLG Legal is a GLD Advisory Directorate, with around 100 lawyers, based in London, Croydon, Bristol, Leeds and Manchester.

MHCLG Legal advises client teams within MHCLG, PINS (and, in some areas, other parts of Government working on similar or related issues) across all areas of the Ministry’s business. The directorate advises policy teams within MHCLG on matters ranging from the development and drafting of new legislation (Bills and Statutory Instruments) to areas of policy and operational delivery which have a closer interface with the commercial world such as planning and housing.

MHCLG Legal is led by Susan Carter and Amanda Garner-Patel, Legal Directors, and comprises seven deputy director led client-facing teams and a Business Management Team.

MHCLG Legal is a very friendly place to work. There is a good focus on well-being and the directorate is kind, supportive and collaborative.  We have a range of flexible working patterns and arrangements and our Legal Directors are themselves a job-share.

Susan Carter and Amanda Garner-Patel

MHCLG Legal Directors

About Litigation Directorate

The Litigation Directorate currently comprises four divisions with over 750 staff based in Bristol, Leeds, London and Manchester. GLD Litigation lawyers conduct public and private law litigation on behalf of Government in a wide range of often high-profile cases, frequently involving questions of constitutional importance. As the largest unit within GLD, delivering for clients across Government on a daily basis, handling thousands of cases and interacting with the courts, counsel and other litigants, Litigation Directorate is key to delivering GLD’s core purpose, vision and strategic outcomes.

The relevant team, the Planning Infrastructure and Environment Team, sits within the Justice and Development Division. The team has around 50 people, based predominantly at 102 Petty France, London, with some team members in Leeds, Bristol, Manchester and Croydon as well. The team represents DESNZ, MHCLG, DEFRA, DfT as well as other government bodies in a range of public law challenges. The work of the team is extremely varied and covers the full range of public law planning litigation. This ranges from statutory planning appeals in which we act for the Planning Inspectorate, to very  high profile judicial review challenges against decisions in respect of infrastructure projects (for example airport expansion or nuclear power station consent orders). We also deal with challenges to related legislative regimes pertaining to, for example, environmental assessments or climate change.

Our work is often cross cutting, involving more than one government department. We work very closely with advisory lawyers, to ensure a joined up approach, taking into account wider considerations which may impact government.

Diane Wills

Litigation Legal Director

The Roles

Government Legal Department has up to 19 posts are offered across Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Litigation Directorate.

DESNZ

DESNZ provides legal support on national planning casework and energy related planning policy development. The work ranges from legal support on planning consent applications for large energy infrastructure projects and overhead powerlines to working with other government departments on planning reforms to legislation, primary or secondary and guidance. The work is planning and environmentally focussed, delivered against the backdrop of government commitments to decarbonise by 2030 and Net Zero. The team also provides advisory support on litigation. We are therefore seeking lawyers with experience in planning law, whether national or local, to help contribute to the work of the Directorate, Department and Government priorities from Day One.

Defra

Lawyers in Defra advise on diverse areas of environmental law and policy which intersect with the planning regime, including species and habitats protection, land use, and nationally significant infrastructure including projects relating to water and wind.  Many of these areas are cross-cutting and require close working with teams within Defra Legal Advisers and across GLD, in particular with MHCLG and DESNZ.  The work is delivered against the backdrop of government commitments to promote economic growth and nature recovery. The team also provides advisory support on litigation. We are therefore seeking lawyers with experience in planning law, whether national or local, to help contribute to the work of the Directorate, Department and Government priorities from Day One.

MHCLG

MHCLG Legal Advisers are seeking lawyers with planning experience, whether gained in central or local government or private practice to join their Planning and Planning Inspectorate Divisions:-

The Planning Division (in MHCLG Legal) has a range of high profile and fascinating advisory work. This currently includes working on implementation of the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023,  the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill and changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Division also advises on high profile planning case work; where planning permission and appeal decisions are taken directly by the Secretary of State. The case work is demanding and provides excellent public law experience. Recent cases have included climate change challenges against Secretary of State decisions involving minerals extraction and environmental assessment and challenges to particular decisions to call-in applications for planning permission.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) Division (in MHCLG Legal) provide advice to PINS’ expert clients across a wide range of planning and related casework. We advise PINS and Planning Inspectors on applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008 and on Town and Country Planning Act 1990 casework. Joining us you would gain experience of advising on the country’s biggest infrastructure projects (including major transport and renewable energy projects). We regularly work with colleagues in MHCLG legal advisors and PINS’ clients on emerging planning policy and legislation. Much of our work has an environmental focus, for example Biodiversity Net Gain. The team also provide advisory support on planning litigation.

Litigation Lawyers

Litigation Directorate seeks lawyers with planning experience, whether gained in central or local government or private practice to join their Planning Infrastructure and Environment team, which sits within the Justice and Development Division.

The work of our litigation lawyers is fast-paced, extremely varied and always stretching and interesting. Our litigators are expected to gain early responsibility for their own caseload within a supportive team environment, working alongside counsel from the Attorney General’s Panels. In addition, they are exposed to complex work from day one, working with other more experienced lawyers in the team. They also play a crucial co-ordination role when litigation involves several Government Departments. Lawyers work closely with policy colleagues and advisory legal colleagues in client Departments to advise on litigation risk and to develop realistic contingency plans when the litigation risk materialises. The work involves a highly diverse range of activity, including: providing legal advice, particularly planning, environmental and public law advice, to Ministers  and officials across the relevant client portfolios in the context of litigation,strategic litigation support to policy officials, Ministers and advisory colleagues in legal challenges, preparing cases and attending court when necessary.

Lawyers will also be asked to feed into lead lawyers note, KM Cafes within the team, and will also have the opportunity to engage in various wider team initiatives, including client training.

Clients with Enhanced Clearance should use this link instead: https://bit.ly/4ivOPeR

Closing date: 16 January 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.

Employer Info
Government Legal Department
United Kingdom

Employer Profile



Employer Info


Government Legal Department
United Kingdom
Phone:
Web Site:

Planning Lawyers

col-narrow-left   

Job ID:

33692

Practice Area(s):

Environmental, Planning

Role:

Qualified Lawyer
col-narrow-right   

Employment Type:

Permanent Full-Time

Posted:

13.12.2024

Employer type:

Central Government
col-wide   

Job Description:

£59,200 - £61,200 per annum

Legal Officers should expect their salary to be £49,919 for London/National.

About the Government Legal Department

From energy to security, health to human rights, we help the Government deliver life changing law for citizens.

The Government Legal Department is the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament and the media. Our work includes:

  • Developing and drafting legislation
  • Providing legal advice on policies
  • Securing our economic and trade relationships
  • Ensuring value from commercial contracts worth billions of pounds
  • Providing the Civil Service’s employment law advice

We are at the heart of delivering the Government’s priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department, sponsored by the Attorney General. We are headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary and employ nearly 3000 people, including over 2000 legal professionals. Our offices include London, Leeds, Bristol, Croydon and Manchester as well as overseas. We provide specialist legal services including Litigation, Employment and Commercial Law as well as advising most Government Departments on the policies and services they deliver.

GLD also depends on a range of vital corporate services. These are essential to the smooth and efficient running of the Department and provide the foundation to enable GLD to deliver outstanding legal services. Our corporate functions include Strategy, HR, Finance, Digital, Data and Technology, Communications, Security, Commercial and Project delivery. 

Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service. 

To find out more about what we do visit the Government Legal Department’s webpage or have a look at this short film which showcases the breadth of work government lawyers and legal trainees are involved in.

Job description

I'm excited to share with you a great opportunity at the Government Legal Department. As you might know, we provide legal advice to Government on various areas of law, and planning law is becoming an even bigger focus for us.

With recent announcements on clean energy by 2030, housing, and major commitments to infrastructure development and growth, planning expertise is more crucial than ever. We're looking for talented lawyers with experience in planning law to join our teams.

Your skills in this area can really make a difference in helping the Government achieve its priorities. This is a unique chance to use your knowledge and experience to contribute to national projects and help shape the future of our country.

We'd love to have you on board to help us reach these ambitious goals. If you have the relevant experience and are interested in making a difference on a national scale, please consider bringing your talents to the Government Legal Department.

Thanks for your time and consideration. We look forward to the possibility of working with you on these important initiatives.

Vicky - Deputy Director, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Legal

About DESNZ Legal

We advise the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), together with a number of its Partner Organisations. We are focused on providing legal advice on the UK’s ambitious and innovative energy portfolio, with work spanning policies on carbon reduction technologies, nuclear power, clean energy and heat, energy efficiency, combatting fuel poverty, energy security, energy networks, infrastructure, planning, climate change and net zero obligations. One of the government’s five missions – Clean Power by 2030 – is led out of DESNZ and the majority of our work is targeted at achieving this goal.

DESNZ Legal is a GLD Advisory Directorate, with around 100 people, based predominantly in 3-8 Whitehall Place, London and with growing numbers in Leeds, Bristol and Salford. DESNZ Legal is led by Wendy Hardaker, Legal Director and comprises seven deputy director led client-facing teams and a Business Management Team.  We are a friendly, high performing and collegiate Directorate. Last year we won both the GLD Professionalise award and the Lawyer Award for Regulatory Team of the Year in recognition of our outstanding work and collaboration across boundaries.

The work we do is of the highest profile and some of the most important legal work being done right now in Government. Energy security and net zero have never been more important as we grapple as a nation with balancing our energy security needs against the need to protect our planet for future  generations. At the forefront of that work is energy planning casework and planning reform of nationally significant infrastructure for large scale energy projects. I became a government lawyer to be involved in the sort of work we do in this Directorate. 

Our work is never dull and always high profile and at the forefront of Government policy. It is a privilege to lead such a high performing and brilliant Directorate.

Wendy Hardaker 

DESNZ Legal Director

About Defra Legal Advisers

Defra Legal Advisers (DLA) provides legal advice to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Defra is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry and sustaining a thriving rural economy.

The wide remit means the legal division is involved in a diverse range of activity providing legal advice across the full range of Defra’s domestic and international business, including the natural environment, animal welfare, food, farming and fisheries. Defra’s work has a strong international context and our lawyers support numerous international negotiations, as well as advising on the development of domestic legislation. The Division comprises around 130 staff based in 2 Marsham Street, London SW1 and GLD offices in Bristol, Leeds and Manchester. It has 7 legal teams and a business management team. We are a dynamic, nurturing and high performing division, with a strong emphasis on collaborative working.

I am proud to lead the team in Defra Legal Advisers and of all the vitally important work we do here. We are a kind and inclusive place to work, and I’m passionate about ensuring everyone feels empowered, energised and enthusiastic about the work they do and their future careers.

James Maskell

Defra Legal Advisers Director

About MHCLG Legal

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is  responsible for policies on planning, housing, building safety, community integration and regeneration, elections and local government. The Ministry has an ambitious agenda to drive up housing supply, increase home ownership, devolve powers and budgets to boost local growth and to support strong public services.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) is an executive agency of MHCLG who help deliver a fair planning system for England. PINS make decisions and provide recommendations on a range of land use planning-related casework across England. The work PINS does has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy. 

MHCLG Legal is a GLD Advisory Directorate, with around 100 lawyers, based in London, Croydon, Bristol, Leeds and Manchester.

MHCLG Legal advises client teams within MHCLG, PINS (and, in some areas, other parts of Government working on similar or related issues) across all areas of the Ministry’s business. The directorate advises policy teams within MHCLG on matters ranging from the development and drafting of new legislation (Bills and Statutory Instruments) to areas of policy and operational delivery which have a closer interface with the commercial world such as planning and housing.

MHCLG Legal is led by Susan Carter and Amanda Garner-Patel, Legal Directors, and comprises seven deputy director led client-facing teams and a Business Management Team.

MHCLG Legal is a very friendly place to work. There is a good focus on well-being and the directorate is kind, supportive and collaborative.  We have a range of flexible working patterns and arrangements and our Legal Directors are themselves a job-share.

Susan Carter and Amanda Garner-Patel

MHCLG Legal Directors

About Litigation Directorate

The Litigation Directorate currently comprises four divisions with over 750 staff based in Bristol, Leeds, London and Manchester. GLD Litigation lawyers conduct public and private law litigation on behalf of Government in a wide range of often high-profile cases, frequently involving questions of constitutional importance. As the largest unit within GLD, delivering for clients across Government on a daily basis, handling thousands of cases and interacting with the courts, counsel and other litigants, Litigation Directorate is key to delivering GLD’s core purpose, vision and strategic outcomes.

The relevant team, the Planning Infrastructure and Environment Team, sits within the Justice and Development Division. The team has around 50 people, based predominantly at 102 Petty France, London, with some team members in Leeds, Bristol, Manchester and Croydon as well. The team represents DESNZ, MHCLG, DEFRA, DfT as well as other government bodies in a range of public law challenges. The work of the team is extremely varied and covers the full range of public law planning litigation. This ranges from statutory planning appeals in which we act for the Planning Inspectorate, to very  high profile judicial review challenges against decisions in respect of infrastructure projects (for example airport expansion or nuclear power station consent orders). We also deal with challenges to related legislative regimes pertaining to, for example, environmental assessments or climate change.

Our work is often cross cutting, involving more than one government department. We work very closely with advisory lawyers, to ensure a joined up approach, taking into account wider considerations which may impact government.

Diane Wills

Litigation Legal Director

The Roles

Government Legal Department has up to 19 posts are offered across Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Litigation Directorate.

DESNZ

DESNZ provides legal support on national planning casework and energy related planning policy development. The work ranges from legal support on planning consent applications for large energy infrastructure projects and overhead powerlines to working with other government departments on planning reforms to legislation, primary or secondary and guidance. The work is planning and environmentally focussed, delivered against the backdrop of government commitments to decarbonise by 2030 and Net Zero. The team also provides advisory support on litigation. We are therefore seeking lawyers with experience in planning law, whether national or local, to help contribute to the work of the Directorate, Department and Government priorities from Day One.

Defra

Lawyers in Defra advise on diverse areas of environmental law and policy which intersect with the planning regime, including species and habitats protection, land use, and nationally significant infrastructure including projects relating to water and wind.  Many of these areas are cross-cutting and require close working with teams within Defra Legal Advisers and across GLD, in particular with MHCLG and DESNZ.  The work is delivered against the backdrop of government commitments to promote economic growth and nature recovery. The team also provides advisory support on litigation. We are therefore seeking lawyers with experience in planning law, whether national or local, to help contribute to the work of the Directorate, Department and Government priorities from Day One.

MHCLG

MHCLG Legal Advisers are seeking lawyers with planning experience, whether gained in central or local government or private practice to join their Planning and Planning Inspectorate Divisions:-

The Planning Division (in MHCLG Legal) has a range of high profile and fascinating advisory work. This currently includes working on implementation of the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023,  the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill and changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Division also advises on high profile planning case work; where planning permission and appeal decisions are taken directly by the Secretary of State. The case work is demanding and provides excellent public law experience. Recent cases have included climate change challenges against Secretary of State decisions involving minerals extraction and environmental assessment and challenges to particular decisions to call-in applications for planning permission.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) Division (in MHCLG Legal) provide advice to PINS’ expert clients across a wide range of planning and related casework. We advise PINS and Planning Inspectors on applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008 and on Town and Country Planning Act 1990 casework. Joining us you would gain experience of advising on the country’s biggest infrastructure projects (including major transport and renewable energy projects). We regularly work with colleagues in MHCLG legal advisors and PINS’ clients on emerging planning policy and legislation. Much of our work has an environmental focus, for example Biodiversity Net Gain. The team also provide advisory support on planning litigation.

Litigation Lawyers

Litigation Directorate seeks lawyers with planning experience, whether gained in central or local government or private practice to join their Planning Infrastructure and Environment team, which sits within the Justice and Development Division.

The work of our litigation lawyers is fast-paced, extremely varied and always stretching and interesting. Our litigators are expected to gain early responsibility for their own caseload within a supportive team environment, working alongside counsel from the Attorney General’s Panels. In addition, they are exposed to complex work from day one, working with other more experienced lawyers in the team. They also play a crucial co-ordination role when litigation involves several Government Departments. Lawyers work closely with policy colleagues and advisory legal colleagues in client Departments to advise on litigation risk and to develop realistic contingency plans when the litigation risk materialises. The work involves a highly diverse range of activity, including: providing legal advice, particularly planning, environmental and public law advice, to Ministers  and officials across the relevant client portfolios in the context of litigation,strategic litigation support to policy officials, Ministers and advisory colleagues in legal challenges, preparing cases and attending court when necessary.

Lawyers will also be asked to feed into lead lawyers note, KM Cafes within the team, and will also have the opportunity to engage in various wider team initiatives, including client training.

Clients with Enhanced Clearance should use this link instead: https://bit.ly/4ivOPeR

Closing date: 16 January 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.