Job Vacancy Planning Law Solicitor We are looking for a Planning Law Solicitor to join our highly regarded specialist Planning Law Department recognised by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and The Planner for its planning expertise. The role that we are recruiting for would suit a candidate with all levels of Planning Law experience. The preferable candidate would be a specialist Planning Solicitor. In the role you will work as part of a specialist team assisting the firm’s wide variety of clients and professional referrers. The work would include the following areas of planning law: s106, s38, s272 and s104 infrastructure agreements; providing planning law advice on a wide range of commercial, residential or mixed-use projects; preparing applications for certificates of lawfulness; dealing with appeals on behalf of local authorities, landowners and developers, following refusal of planning permission, certificates of lawfulness and enforcement notices; s288 statutory challenges and judicial reviews in the High Court; Acting on both sides of enforcement prosecutions You will provide expert and specialist advice and pursue the client’s best interests. You will also build strong relationships with the firm’s existing client base, play a key role in helping expand our professional network and to promote and market the department. The day to day The Planning Law Department deal with a broad spectrum of planning and development related matters. Acting for Developers, Landowners, Local Planning Authorities and Individuals. The department are: Frequently advising Local Planning Authorities, landowners and property developers, on complex S106 Agreements ensuring the grant of planning permission for residential and mixed developments of up to hundreds to thousands of new homes. Securing provision of community facilities, financial contributions, land for education and employment uses, public open space, ecological mitigation and Affordable Housing. Dealing with appeals before the Planning Inspectorate in relation to appeals following refusal of planning permission, Certificates of Lawfulness and Enforcement Notices. We have conduct of appeals by way of written representations, Hearings and Inquiries and, where appropriate, provide the advocacy. Regularly instructed in High Court proceedings, including Statutory Challenges (s288 and s289) and Judicial Reviews. We are also instructed to have conduct of matters before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Representing Local Authorities in the Magistrates Courts and Crown Court dealing with prosecutions for breaches of planning control. The Department also provide strategic planning advice for developers and landowners in exploring, and securing, development potential. The Department also has solicitors advising upon nationally significant infrastructure purchase and compulsory purchase matters which the successful candidate will have an option to be involved in (pertinently in respect of s106 agreements). What experience do I need? The successful candidate will have Planning Law experience, potentially having a background working in Local Government or private practice, and have a keen interest in either consolidating or developing a specialism within Planning Law. The successful candidate will also have a reputation for providing top-quality advice in a professional but approachable manner. What skills should I have? A background knowledge of planning law Excellent communication skills A self-motivated and pro-active attitude Commercial awareness They should enjoy networking and building long-lasting relationships with clients, agents and referrers. About Us Holmes & Hills Solicitors is a large regional firm of solicitors with seven offices across Essex and Suffolk and over 200 legal professionals across a number of specialist departments. Holmes & Hills works in partnership with clients across East Anglia, including businesses, individuals, families and local authorities, to build long standing relationships, protect clients' interests and support clients' growth and development. Working in partnership with businesses and individuals Holmes & Hills' large team of legal experts work in partnership with individuals and organisations to provide them with truly proactive legal services through personal relationships. Acting as a trusted advisor to clients, we take the time to understand clients' needs and objectives before delivering practical advice through a personal and accessible approach. Independently recognised as a leading law firm Holmes & Hills Solicitors is independently recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners - two independent directories of the UK’s top law firms - as being a leading supplier of legal services in the region. These accreditations give our clients the confidence that the legal advice and representation they receive from Holmes & Hills is some of the best available. Our clients range from established and growing businesses whose brands are recognised and sold around the world and local authorities across the region, through to families and first-time home buyers.