About The Role Job overview An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Planning Legal team for a dedicated, enthusiastic and able lawyer to join our dynamic planning legal team. Islington is a borough of great strengths: thriving businesses, excellent transport links and outstanding services with a rich and wonderful diversity of people, cultures and communities residing within. Main duties of the job The primary function of the post will be to work collaboratively with colleagues across services dealing with planning, highways and transport projects. We are looking for a lawyer (solicitor, barrister or FILEX) with a minimum of three years post qualification experience in the legal profession or exceptional experience of shorter duration. You will have knowledge of planning and highways law and related legislation and experience of advising planning committees. You will have to be highly motivated and a team player. Working for our organisation You will be working within the planning team within the legal services department responsible for dealing with both contentious and non-contentious planning, highways and transport matters including section 106 agreements, planning appeals and judicial reviews. The post has a number of key duties but also involves responding to a rapidly changing environment. You must be adaptable, flexible and able to prioritise tasks on a daily basis. The post also offers a range of benefits as shown below: • Up to 31 days leave per year (increasing to 35 days after five years of local government service) • 35-hour working week • A range of flexible working arrangements • Excellent pension scheme • Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships • Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more For an informal discussion about this post please telephone Laura Avery on 020 7527 3226. Working for our organisation Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future. We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive. To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about. Our offer to you We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include: - Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service - A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week - Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential - Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum - Excellent local government pension scheme - Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships - Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more! Recruitment information It is the policy of Islington Council that no user of service, present or future employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their sex, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or belief, age, creed, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, or disability, or on the grounds of their association with someone in one of these groups; nor is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. We welcome applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates and acknowledge our responsibility to mitigate against racial discrimination. Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. The post is subject to a qualifications check and 3/5 years referencing. Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.