Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC623440
Salary Range: £40,643 - £45,077 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £1,500 per annum
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 12 April 2026
Interview Date: 27 April and 29 April 2026

Join our friendly and supportive Lexcel accredited legal department, passionate about delivering the best for Hampshire and making a real difference to the community!

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. Our large legal service supports all Hampshire County Council directorates and a wide range of other public service organisations. Working on matters that are as challenging as they are rewarding, you will advise on a range of interesting, varied, meaningful, high profile and complex projects at the very forefront of public interest, delivering improvements to people's lives.

The Role:

You will join the Planning and Environment Team, working with colleagues in all Hampshire County Council Directorates and third-party clients. This role includes the provision of legal advice and representation to the County Council’s directorates, and other external partners and client bodies. Your role will not only increase the efficiency of the team but also that of the County Council as a whole and offers the unique level of support that comes with working within our well-respected team and Hampshire County Council generally.

What you’ll do:

You will take responsibility for a large and varied casework of highways and planning agreements, such as s.106, s.278 and s.38 agreements, including traffic regulation matters, highway noticing, stopping-up orders, legal research, in addition to such other work that might be allocated to the post holder from time to time.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for an in-house Planning and Environment Lawyer - a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive Lawyer (minimum of a level 6 Associate having passed the academic phase) with a current practising certificate for England & Wales.

You will be successful in the role if you are able to demonstrate sound legal skills and judgment; a pragmatic solution focussed approach; strong client relationship and communication skills; an ability to work on your own initiative and within a strong team with a collaborative approach; resilience and motivation; and an ability to prioritise effectively to meet strict deadlines.

The ideal candidate will preferably have a working knowledge of relevant highways, planning and countryside law, however, this may be an opportunity for those wishing to change legal disciplines and specialise in planning and environment law.

Why join us?

Having successfully adopted online and hybrid working, we can consider candidates from out of the area, working partially remotely and from our offices in Winchester for one day per week.

As a forward-looking local authority, our commitment to delivering an exceptional quality of life to our Hampshire residents also extends to our employees. It is important to us that our staff feel supported in their work. As such we can offer you an improved work-life balance through flexible working and an excellent benefits package.

Our benefits package includes:

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme
Between 25 - 30 days annual leave entitlement (dependent on Local Authority service).
Electric plug-in hybrid car Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
Interest free travel loans and discounts.
Employee Support Services.
Family friendly policies.
Access to online professional legal research resources.

To learn more about the Hampshire Legal Services team, please visit Hampshire Legal Services.

We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.

If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!

Additional Information:

Planning and Environment Lawyer (Legal Adviser) Candidate Pack

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Caroline Stickland, Legal Team Leader on caroline.stickland@hants.gov.uk or Sheena Sayer, Legal Team Leader on sheena.sayer@hants.gov.uk

Strictly no agencies please.

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

Hampshire County Council

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Planning and Environment Lawyer (Legal Adviser)