Senior Highways and Planning Lawyer

This permanent role has salary range of 61,784 to 67,859 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.

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 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.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• 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.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

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 28th June 2026 with interviews expected to take place in the week commencing 6th July 2026.

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, moving from a two–tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

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.

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.