Swale Borough Council
Lawyer
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We’re looking for a Lawyer specialising in Planning and a Lawyer specialising in Contracts & Commissioning to join our highly regarded Mid Kent Legal Services (MKLS) providing legal services and advice to Swale, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils.
The service covers a range of areas including Property and Regeneration, Planning, Contentious, Contracts & Commissioning and Corporate Governance. Working across multiple councils means a range of high-level, challenging and impactful work. This is more than a legal role—it’s your opportunity to shape communities.
MKLS is a supportive and nurturing environment which provides opportunities to progress through learning and development.
About the Roles
As our Lawyer (Planning), you will provide high-quality, proactive professional legal advice and support in planning law and practice. You will manage a legal caseload for planning and development, including legal research, drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation, to include Section 106 planning obligations, and enforcement notices.
As our Lawyer (Contracts & Commissioning), you will provide high-quality, proactive professional legal advice and support for contracts and commissioning. You will manage a legal caseload, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation, including procurement processes.
Ensuring we operate at the forefront of legal excellence and align with Lexcel standards, you will provide legal advice and communications to clients, across all three local authorities. You will be developed and supported to supervise less senior fee earners and Legal Support Officers, ensuring high-quality support and administration in legal transactions.
Additionally, you will:
- Stay updated on legal developments in planning law
- Be developed and supported to represent MKLS in internal working groups and external meetings
- Be prepared to attend meetings of the Mid Kent Services authorities, including planning committee
- Uphold and comply with the policies of the Mid Kent Services authorities
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This is a full time role working 34 hours per week on a permanent contract. This role offers the benefit of hybrid working, combining the flexibility to work from home with office-based working, on a business needs basis.
Our Offer
Salary - Career Grade 6-8 £33,389 - £47,728 pa (plus £4,000 market supplement for Grade 7-8)
A range of benefits including:
- 34 hour full time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday
- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
- Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
- Free parking
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
- Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
- Annual flu vaccine
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role
About You
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To be considered as our Lawyer (Planning), you will need:
- To be a hold a minimum of CILEX Level 3 qualification, and be working towards CILEX Level 6 qualification (or equivalent)
- Some legal practice experience in planning law and procedure
- Knowledge, understanding and experience of drafting Section 106 agreements
- Some knowledge and understanding of the political nature of local government and democratic process
- A full, valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel to attend the offices of the shared service authorities.
This is the ideal opportunity for a planning legal professional to join our forward-thinking shared service.
To be considered as our Lawyer (Contracts & Commissioning), you will need:
- To be a hold a minimum of CILEX Level 3 qualification, and be working towards CILEX Level 6 qualification (or equivalent)
- Some legal practice experience in contracts and commissioning
- Knowledge, understanding and experience of applying the new Procurement Act and experience of drafting Building Contracts.
- Some knowledge and understanding of the political nature of local government and democratic process
- A full, valid UK driving licence and the ability to travel to attend the offices of the shared service authorities.
Selection Process
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are shortlisted can expect an in-person interview at one of the offices of the shared service authorities.
Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Tim Pyant on 01622 602155.
Closing Date 12th July 2026
Interview Date: w/c 27th July 2026
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