Principal Legal Officer

Job title: Principal Legal Officer

Salary: PO5 £49,282 - £52,413

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Civic Hall

Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city. Our planning legal team is highly ranked in the annual Planning Law Survey 2025

We are looking for an experienced senior planning lawyer, who will advise planning committees, boards and senior officers, advise on strategic planning matters, and undertake planning appeals and judicial reviews.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

About you

As a Principal Legal Officer, you will bring to the role:

• the ability to manage a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work (both contentious and non contentious), primarily development, planning law, highways law and local government law legal work.
• good interpersonal skills,
• a "can do" attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members
• be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.
• ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly

About the role

You will advise on a wide range of complex planning and highways matters, attend and advise planning committees and boards, and advise on planning appeals, judicial reviews and public inquiries.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Pippa Plumtree-Varley, Team Leader Development Team. Call 0113 3785131 or email [email protected].

Interviews are expected to be held week beginning 18 August

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: The section covers the following areas of work: development, planning law, highways law property, finance and local government law. The postholder will provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the council's strategic objectives as set out in the Best City Ambitions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work (both contentious and non contentious), primarily development, planning law, highways law and local government law legal work. The post holder will be expected to provide support in at least one other area of law covered by the section, and any other local government legal matters as required.
• Support the generation of external income in the section and across the service and take an active role in coaching and mentoring staff within the section and service.
• Undertake a substantial complex personal caseload of development, planning law, highways law and local government law legal work and other areas covered by the section as required.
• Represent council colleagues and other clients in proceedings in inquiries, tribunals, the County Court and (subject to rights of audience) Higher Courts, including in relation to contested proceedings.
• Conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to Court and advise as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
• Draft and issue court proceedings and other documentation such as instructions to counsel as necessary.
• To draft legal documentation, agreements and advice.
• Foster and deliver a "can do" attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members; contributing to change; and increasing external income generation.
• Establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of internal colleagues, external stakeholders and parties including Members, directors and senior officers to improve and enhance service delivery.
• Maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of colleagues and clients and advise them as appropriate
• Provide legal advice and support to committees and advice to clients both orally and in writing, in relation to complex matters.
• Work flexibly as part of a team to cover court and tribunal commitments and other work as required
• Meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competency framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations
• Support other staff within the section and service as required including providing training to colleagues and client
• Perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the following:
• The council's policies and codes of practice
• The council's constitution
• Legal Services' standards, objectives, targets and timescales
• Legal Services' Lexcel procedures
• Attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council and outside your normal working hours as required
• Carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as required commensurate with the grade as required
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills ...