£39,160- £55,272

Cornwall Council is a large and ambitious Unitary Authority, supported by an experienced and welcoming Legal Service that has a crucial role in providing specialist legal advice to all sectors of the Council, as well as some external organisations.

This is an exciting opening for the right candidate to join our Planning and Highways Legal Team as a Lawyer or Senior Lawyer. You will have an opportunity to make a difference through supporting on a range of Planning, Environmental and Highways law work, acting principally for the Council but also for some external clients. 

Some knowledge and experience of Planning Law is required and some experience of project working is desirable, as is an understanding of Highways Law and the Local Government regulatory framework. 

For the Senior Lawyer position, it is expected that you will be able to demonstrate considerable experience of Planning and/or Highways related matters and that you will have a proven track record of providing more complex practical legal advice and supporting junior colleagues. 

Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work under pressure and to strict timescales are a must to ensure that we deliver expert, bespoke advice to our clients.

You must be capable of undertaking drafting work and be a pragmatic problem solver. 

The work of the Team is both varied and challenging and it is anticipated that your remit could include:

• Advising at Planning Committees
• Negotiating and drafting Section 106 Agreements, Deeds of Modification and Deeds of Discharge
• Researching and providing general planning advice to Client Officers, including planning policy, Section 106 monitoring and Planning Enforcement matters 
• Advising and being an expert on one or more Highways- related area, including the extent of highway and disputes, parking, rights of way and land drainage
• Advising on Judicial Review matters
• Undertaking Advocacy at Inquiries and in Court, where appropriate

We are looking for a talented individual who is highly motivated and can develop strong client relationships.

This position will be subject to a standard criminal record disclosure check. 

Working Pattern: You will have some ability to work flexibly and from home. Colleagues are encouraged to attend the office, in Truro, at least once a week.

What you’ll need to succeed: It is anticipated that you will have a Law Degree or equivalent experience. 

Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert

What you’ll get in return: Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met.

Our core employee rewards and benefits include:

• a competitive salary.
• a defined benefit pension scheme, based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions
• a generous annual leave entitlement with the potential to purchase additional leave.
• A national award-winning employee health and wellbeing programme
• Employee benefits scheme giving employees access to a wide range of discounts to local and national goods and services.

Additional Information:

Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

For more information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below. For an informal chat about the role please contact Ben Curnow, Principal Lawyer – Planning & Highways: ben.curnow@cornwall.gov.uk  

Closing date: 8th April, 2026

Cornwall Council deliver services to more than half a million local people and over five million visitors a year.

Working here - Cornwall Council
We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part-time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunities can be found here - flexible working options.

Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall. In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g., race, disability, sex, gender reassignment status, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.

Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It’s a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from harm.