Highways and Planning Senior Lawyer

Job Introduction

This permanent role has a starting salary of £59,868 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We have a great opportunity to join our Highways and Planning legal team as a qualified Senior Solicitor or Lawyer. We are looking for a flexible and motivated colleague to join this friendly team. Our work is interesting and varied and we work for informed and appreciative client teams.

The Council adopts a hybrid working policy with flexible working arrangements which includes access to our offices in Reigate and Weybridge combined with remote or home working. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average (40% of the working week). The team are very approachable with regular catch ups when working remotely. 

Rewards and Benefits 

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service 
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave 
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing 
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year 
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave 
• A generous local government salary related pension 
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping  
• 2 paid volunteering days per year 
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources 

About the Team 

The team sits alongside other teams in the County’s Legal Services, supporting the work of the County as Highway Authority and Minerals and Waste Planning Authority. The teams lawyers draft highways and planning agreements, providing advice on planning and highways enforcement, DCO work, appeals, and related litigation. We assist with reports to Committee and Cabinet and provide training for client teams. Our support of officers on enforcement directly benefits residents ensuring that obstruction, encroachment and planning breaches are addressed effectively. 

About the Role 

As a Senior Lawyer within the Highways and Planning legal team, you will conduct a number of highways and planning agreements, countryside and highways enforcement and mineral planning advice, working in a committed and positive way, sometimes to tight deadlines. Other work includes advising on general highways and planning issues, local government matters and have conduct of any related appeals / litigation. We work collaboratively with fellow lawyers in our District and Borough legal teams.  

The person appointed to this post will have conduct of a number of highways and planning agreements, advise clients on highways and countryside laws regulations and enforcement options some high profile, securing significant benefits for Surrey residents. You will advise on general highways and planning issues, planning enforcement, local government law, Commons, Village Greens, Public Rights of Way, drainage and flooding, and have conduct of any related litigation. You will advise Members, particularly Members of the County's Planning and Regulatory Committee. You will deputise for the Principal Lawyer as required. The work is fast-paced and key to the delivery of the Council's strategic goals. 

As a Senior Lawyer, you will have good experience in the relevant areas of law and the following skills and abilities:

• Negotiating highways and planning agreements; 
• Providing solutions focussed advice on a range of planning and highways matters
• Drafting briefs to Counsel;
• Drafting and servicing highways notices and TROs and advising on DMMOs;
• Involvement in s78 TCPA 1990 appeals and drafting of related s106 agreements;
• Supervision of paralegal and solicitor roles;
• Managing competing priorities to achieve client deadlines;
• Exemplary client care.

Shortlisting Criteria 

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following: 

• You are a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX, eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practicing certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority;
• Demonstrate recent legal experience in the relevant areas of highways and planning law;
• Experience of working with clients at all levels and ability to give clear, accurate and practical advice;
• Effective team working;
• Ability to negotiate a range of highways and planning legal agreements and be able to provide practical clear advice on a range of highways and planning matters;
• Ability to take on urgent, and sometimes unfamiliar, matters at short notice;
• Ability to manage competing priorities to achieve client deadlines.

Contact Us 

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Jay Das via email at jay.das@surreycc.gov.uk.

This advert closes at 23:59 on 10th August 2025 with interviews to follow..

This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. 

If you are looking for a role which is both varied and interesting with an opportunity to develop your existing skills and employment experience by working in local government, please click the apply button below to submit your application.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas. 

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils. 

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where: 

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form 

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.