Job Description
Job description
Planning Lawyers
London, Bristol, Leeds or Manchester
£61,200 London
£5+,200 National
Much more than law
The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Whitehall departments. From energy to security, from roads to rivers, health to human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. From developing and drafting legislation to helping to secure economic and trade relationships, providing legal advice on polices to ensuring value from contracts, our work is stimulating and varied.
We’re currently looking for Planning Lawyers to join our legal directorates and focus on work for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Litigation Directorate.
Your role
When you work as a Planning Lawyer with the DESNZ legal directorate, you’ll provide legal support on national planning casework and energy related planning policy development, while those who work for DEFRA legal directorate will advise on environmental law and policy which intersects with the planning regime.
Our MHCLG Planning Lawyers focus on planning policy including changes to the NPPF, planning legislation, environmental law and high-profile case work i.e. where decisions are made personally by MHCLG Ministers, whilst our MHCLG Planning Inspectorate Lawyers advise on nationally significant infrastructure projects and planning casework. If you join our Litigation Directorate, we’ll expect you to provide legal advice on planning, the environment and public law to Ministers and other officials.
In order to carry out your work successfully you’ll need to have Baseline Personnel Security Standard security clearance. For some roles you may need enhanced clearance.
As one of our Planning Lawyers you’ll have the opportunity to work full-time, part-time or as part of a job share.
About you
To be a success in one of these roles you should have an understanding of planning law, sound knowledge of public law, reliable legal judgement and a good appreciation of legal risk. A strategic and creative thinker with well-developed written and verbal communication skills, you’ll be capable of conducting sound analysis and using secure legal research to produce timely, fit-for-purpose advice. In addition, the following would be desirable:
• advisory experience, obtained by working in-house, either with a private company or public body
• experience in environmental law
• experience in planning or environmental litigation
Benefits
GLD encourages its people to develop their skills in a caring and nurturing environment. Benefits include access to a valuable civil service pension and flexible working arrangements.
Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.
Information Session
We will be holding a candidate information session on MS teams between 2.00pm and3.00pm on Tuesday 7th January 2026. Joining details can be found on the apply button and you are not required to have already submitted an application to join the session.
You will have the opportunity to hear from lawyers working in the recruiting directorate about what they do and their experiences of working in Government. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the roles and the process.
Closing date for applications: Noon Thursday 16th January 2026.
To apply, click on the 'Apply' button below
Planning Lawyers
London, Bristol, Leeds or Manchester
£61,200 London
£5+,200 National
Much more than law
The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Whitehall departments. From energy to security, from roads to rivers, health to human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. From developing and drafting legislation to helping to secure economic and trade relationships, providing legal advice on polices to ensuring value from contracts, our work is stimulating and varied.
We’re currently looking for Planning Lawyers to join our legal directorates and focus on work for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Litigation Directorate.
Your role
When you work as a Planning Lawyer with the DESNZ legal directorate, you’ll provide legal support on national planning casework and energy related planning policy development, while those who work for DEFRA legal directorate will advise on environmental law and policy which intersects with the planning regime.
Our MHCLG Planning Lawyers focus on planning policy including changes to the NPPF, planning legislation, environmental law and high-profile case work i.e. where decisions are made personally by MHCLG Ministers, whilst our MHCLG Planning Inspectorate Lawyers advise on nationally significant infrastructure projects and planning casework. If you join our Litigation Directorate, we’ll expect you to provide legal advice on planning, the environment and public law to Ministers and other officials.
In order to carry out your work successfully you’ll need to have Baseline Personnel Security Standard security clearance. For some roles you may need enhanced clearance.
As one of our Planning Lawyers you’ll have the opportunity to work full-time, part-time or as part of a job share.
About you
To be a success in one of these roles you should have an understanding of planning law, sound knowledge of public law, reliable legal judgement and a good appreciation of legal risk. A strategic and creative thinker with well-developed written and verbal communication skills, you’ll be capable of conducting sound analysis and using secure legal research to produce timely, fit-for-purpose advice. In addition, the following would be desirable:
• advisory experience, obtained by working in-house, either with a private company or public body
• experience in environmental law
• experience in planning or environmental litigation
Benefits
GLD encourages its people to develop their skills in a caring and nurturing environment. Benefits include access to a valuable civil service pension and flexible working arrangements.
Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.
Information Session
We will be holding a candidate information session on MS teams between 2.00pm and3.00pm on Tuesday 7th January 2026. Joining details can be found on the apply button and you are not required to have already submitted an application to join the session.
You will have the opportunity to hear from lawyers working in the recruiting directorate about what they do and their experiences of working in Government. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the roles and the process.
Closing date for applications: Noon Thursday 16th January 2026.
To apply, click on the 'Apply' button below
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Legal Officer position is now open for candidates interested in the Legal Jobs sector. This role in Lancashire offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Legal Jobs is a plus.