3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

To provide high-quality legal advice, advocacy, and case management in the areas of Planning Law, Highways Law, and related disciplines, supporting Milton Keynes City Council in achieving its strategic and operational objectives. The role involves managing a varied caseload, representing the Council in legal proceedings, and contributing to service improvement while upholding professional standards and the Council’s values.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of medium to complex planning and highways matters, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.
  
• Provide clear, practical legal advice to officers, members, and departments in both written and verbal formats.
  
• Draft legal documents, agreements, reports, and other formal documentation.
  
• Represent the Council as an advocate in courts, tribunals, inquiries, and hearings.
  
• Deliver a cost-effective legal service aligned with best practice and continuous improvement.
  
• Contribute to achieving team performance targets alongside the Principal Lawyer.
  
• Ensure compliance with professional standards and internal performance frameworks.
  
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal departments and external organisations.
  
• Support Council objectives through proactive legal input and partnership working.
  
• Provide training, guidance, and support to client departments and legal colleagues.
  
• Assist in supervising trainees and paralegals as required.
  
• Apply specialist knowledge to support policy development and long-term planning.
  
• Identify, assess, and communicate legal risks, advising on mitigation strategies.
  
• Contribute to service planning and adapt to evolving organisational needs.
  
• Demonstrate commitment to the Council’s values: dedication, respect, and collaboration.
  
• Act as a role model, promoting a positive and accountable team culture.
  
• Maintain and develop professional knowledge and competencies.
  

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (England & Wales), or Fellow of CILEx (or equivalent experience).
  
• Strong knowledge of Planning Law, Highways Law, and local government legal frameworks.
  
• Proven ability to manage a legal caseload independently and meet deadlines.
  
• Strong drafting skills for legal and transactional documents.
  
• Experience in legal research and presenting complex issues clearly.
  
• Advocacy experience in courts, tribunals, or public inquiries.
  
• Ability to analyse problems and develop practical legal solutions.
  
• Skilled in risk identification, assessment, and communication.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to explain complex legal matters to non-legal audiences.
  
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
  
• Proactive, accountable, and able to work autonomously.
  
• Collaborative team player who supports wider organisational goals.
  
• Adaptable and responsive to change and service needs.
  
• Committed to continuous professional development and improvement.
  

• Bi-Weekly Payments
  
• 37 Weeks Per Hour