Senior Planning Solicitor

Bill Bidder is the Group Head for the Real Estate group.

IBB's Residential Development team is arguably the most commercially astute and technically expert of any residential development team in the South East. We have a proven track record of handling complex acquisitions and disposals of residential and mixed-use development sites and proactively negotiating the best deals for our clients. When new clients instruct us, we find that the service we deliver invariably exceeds their expectations.

Our New Homes Division offers a tailor-made service for the disposal of completed units. We currently dispose of about 700 units each year and further expansion is planned. We use state-of-the-art IT and case management systems to progress sales speedily. We keep in constant touch with your sales team and proactively solve problems to meet target exchange and completion dates.

Our real estate teams complement each other and together can provide a full range of services to the developer, which other specialist residential development teams may not be able to offer. This is particularly relevant to the provision of mixed-use schemes; advice on acquisition funding; the negotiation of development agreements and construction documentation and/or the letting of commercial premises.

We deal sensitively with the authorities involved to maximise tangible benefits for our clients, whilst balancing those against the constraints of local authority requirements, planning and community needs.

To provide high quality planning advice and service to clients on all aspects of development schemes. Working within a team of specialist property development lawyers, you will be focusing primarily on residential commercial and mixed use schemes. Ensure exemplary client care establishing trust and confidence and demonstrate strong financial management, commercial awareness and professionalism at all times.

• To provide high quality advice and legal service to clients on all aspects of planning law by way of assistance with the acquisition and development of sites for residential, commercial and mixed use development to include:

• Advising on all aspects of planning documentation e.g. Section 106,Section 278 and Section 33 agreements;
• Advising on CIL structuring with specific reference to phased strategic sites
• Advising on all aspects of the environmental law in relation to the development of property;
• Advising on compulsory purchase schemes and appropriation;
• Advising on the stopping up on highways and footpaths;
• Advising on judicial review and statutory challenges;
• Advising on the interpretation of planning policy and law.

• Assist the team in its marketing objectives, to include activities such as attending client events, writing text / articles for the website and other publications and assisting the partners in organising client events. Lead initiatives for generating additional work from existing and new clients.

• Utilise technical knowledge and skills in order to:

• Analyse information to reach sound decisions;
• Recognise commercial drivers behind a deal and reacting accordingly;
• Recognising planning and development issues and problems arising during the course of a transaction and reacting quickly and effectively;
• Comprehend and follow instructions;
• Communicate succinctly verbally and in writing using plain English.
• Research appropriate case law and technical and legal precedents to progress matters.

• Personally meet the firm’s quality standards including:

• Ensuring that all changeable work is properly recorded on client matters;
• Adhering to the Law Society’s client care directive and to the firm’s own policies as set out in the Office Manual;
• Maintaining good file management as set out in the Office Manual;
• Understanding the obligations relating to client accounts and ensure preparation and delivery of bills in accordance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules.

• Ensure the firm’s client care standards are consistently met, including setting and meeting client expectations and clearly communicating progress, and where appropriate billing matters, to clients and partners.

• Establish and maintain contact with relevant third parties and ensure good working relationships with referrers and other external contacts.

• Participate actively in group meetings.

• Ensure you remain professionally and technically up to date as well as developing knowledge of the market place and client base.

Education

• Educated to degree level (with at least at 2:1) and a strong LPC pass or equivalent and hold a current clean practising certificate from the SRA.

Experience

• A minimum of 6 years PQE (indicative) in this area of legal work and the ability to advise on all aspects of Planning Law and relevant legal issues and strategy;
• Confident with all aspects of Planning Law;
• Experience of working with house-builder and developer clients would be an advantage;
• Takes Ownership of own career and demonstrates desire to develop your skills and to progress within the area of planning law and procedure.

Skills

• Strong analytical and communication skills and the ability to appropriately adapt communication style when working with clients.
• A commercially minded approach and ability to advise clients in a cost effective and pragmatic way.
• An eye for detail and ability to be flexible and work to tight deadlines IT literate and self-sufficient in using document management systems, MS Office, email (MS Outlook) and the internet as business tools.

Competitive