DCO & Real Estate Legal Counsel – Contract – London

Overview

In this role you will lead DCO and real-estate workstreams for a large-scale renewable energy project, shaping legal strategy and ensuring compliant submissions under the Planning Act 2008. You will liaise with internal teams, external counsel, and government bodies, and represent the organisation in hearings. You’ll manage land assembly, due diligence, and property contracts to support timely project delivery. This in-house position offers a chance to impact a flagship green energy initiative in London.

Responsibilities

• Lead DCO and real-estate workstreams for the project, including strategy and execution for the DCO application under the Planning Act 2008
• Review and negotiate DCO documentation, including protective provisions
• Advise on statutory consultation, environmental impact assessments, and stakeholder engagement
• Represent the organisation in hearings and examinations before the Planning Inspectorate
• Coordinate with internal teams, external counsel, and government bodies to ensure timely DCO submissions
• Lead responses to examination questions in the DCO
• Manage land acquisition aspects: compulsory purchase, option agreements, leases, and easements
• Conduct due diligence on property titles, access rights, and land ownership
• Negotiate and draft property-related contracts and support land assembly strategies
• Advise on land registration, property disputes, and rights of way
• Collaborate with surveyors, planners, and external advisers to facilitate land transactions
• Potential to work on other legal areas (NDAs, commercial terms, miscellaneous matters)

Key requirements

• strong understanding of the DCO application and approval process

• stakeholder engagement
• strong negotiation and drafting
• collaboration
• DCO process and Planning Act 2008
• land acquisition and compulsory purchase
• leases and easements

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