Principal Legal Officer

Overview

In this role you will provide high-quality planning and local government legal support, advising committees, boards and senior officers on complex matters. You will manage a substantial personal caseload across development, planning, highways and local government law, contributing to the council’s strategic objectives. You will work within a collaborative Legal Services team, mentoring colleagues and helping to grow external income opportunities. This role offers a meaningful impact on planning outcomes and public service delivery within Leeds.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary
• annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• clear career pathway and professional development opportunities
• staff benefits for wellbeing and financial support

Responsibilities

• Manage a substantial personal caseload of complex planning, highways and local government law work (contentious and non-contentious)
• Advise planning committees, boards, and senior officers on strategic planning matters
• Represent the council in proceedings including inquiries, tribunals, County Court and potentially Higher Courts
• Draft court documents, instructions to counsel, and legal documentation; provide guidance and advice for complex matters
• Support external income generation for the service and mentor staff within the section
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to improve service delivery and maintain up-to-date legal knowledge
• Ensure compliance with policies, Lexcel procedures and SRA standards, and participate in training and development
• Attend meetings, tribunals, and courts outside Leeds as required and work flexibly to meet service needs
• Provide training and support to colleagues and clients, fostering a proactive, can-do culture
• Contribute to the council’s objectives and maintain awareness of legislative developments for informed advice

Key requirements

• Ability to work flexibly across locations and areas
• Ability to plan and organise workload with strict deadlines
• Ability to advocate on behalf of the council in complex hearings
• Effective communication and stakeholder relationship skills
• Ability to identify opportunities to develop external legal work and assimilate new information
• Experience in managing a substantial complex caseload and providing client advice on complex matters
• Advocacy experience in complex cases (relevant)
• Knowledge of planning, highways and local government law
• Awareness of confidentiality and data protection requirements
• Experience working effectively within a team
• Experience in complex case handling and representation in tribunals/ courts

• can-do attitude
• team player
• flexible and adaptable to change
• planning law
• highways law
• local government law

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