Surrey County Council is seeking an experienced Highways and Planning Lawyer (Senior Lawyer) to join the Legal Services team within Law & Governance on a temporary basis.
The role provides high‑quality legal advice, representation and support to enable the Council to discharge its functions lawfully and effectively, with a particular focus on highways, planning and related public law matters.
The post holder will manage a demanding and varied caseload with minimal supervision, support junior lawyers, contribute to service leadership and help reduce reliance on external legal providers.
The role operates within a Lexcel‑accredited, paper‑light legal service and supports flexible working arrangements.
Key Duties / Accountabilities
* Provide expert legal advice and representation to the Council, its members, officers and committees on highways, planning and related legal matters.
* Act as a Senior Lawyer, managing a full and complex caseload with minimal supervision.
* Support and, where required, deputise for senior management, assisting in the management of a group of lawyers within identified work areas.
* Supervise, mentor and support junior legal staff, ensuring high standards of professional practice and service delivery.
* Undertake and/or manage advocacy in legal proceedings as required.
* Contribute to the development of policies and procedures within Legal Services and planning‑related functions.
* Support the Monitoring Officer, including advising on potential illegality or procedural default.
* Contribute to the Council's objective of reducing reliance on external legal services, ensuring value for money.
* Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records using electronic case management systems, in line with Lexcel standards.
* Contribute to training and development activities across the Council to ensure awareness of legal changes and emerging issues.
* Demonstrate awareness of legal spend and budget control, particularly when commissioning external advice.
* Lead by example in embedding the Council's values, behaviours, equality and inclusion commitments.
Qualifications
* Proven experience in highways law, planning law and related public sector legal work.
* Experience working within a local authority or public sector legal environment.
* Strong ability to manage a complex and high‑volume caseload independently.
* Experience supervising, mentoring or managing junior lawyers or legal staff.
* Knowledge of local government governance, decision‑making and committee processes.
* Experience providing legal advice to senior officers and elected members.
* Strong advocacy, drafting and negotiation skills.
* Excellent organisational, analytical and decision‑making abilities.
* Confidence working within Lexcel standards and electronic case management systems.
* Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with substantial post‑qualification experience.
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