Highways and Planning Lawyer

The starting salary for this role is 48,698 per annum depending on experience and based on a 36–hour working week. This role is part of our Lawyers Career Scheme providing the opportunity to progress to 60,898 per annum.

We have a great opportunity to join our Highways and Planning legal team as a qualified 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.

We offer hybrid working which allows for remote working but we also require regular office attendance with the aim to give everyone a balanced work/life ratio. You will be expected to attend a Surrey office a minimum of 40% of your working week, with the ability to access offices across Surrey's estate in Reigate, Weybridge and Woking. The team are very approachable so there will always be someone to provide you with support and discuss matters with.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

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 Lawyer within the Highways and Planning legal team, you will conduct a number of highways and planning agreements, 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.

You will have the opportunity to join our Lawyers Career Scheme which will allow for accelerated career and salary progression based on performance. You will be supported through training, regular supervision and development plans to continue learning and developing your expertise and so achieve successful progression through the career scheme. Local Authority work involves a wide variety of daily challenges in new and interesting areas, but we will provide support for training to cover areas new to you.

Your application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:

• 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 and minimum of 2 years of legal experience in the relevant areas of highways and planning law
• Experience of working with clients at all levels and have the 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

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

This advert closes at 23:59 on 11th October 2026 with interviews planned to follow.

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 (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is West Surrey, subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year.

Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.