Paralegal in Planning Team

Paralegal in Planning Team

Location: Leeds , West Yorkshire Salary: Competitive Date posted: 29/05/2012 14:21 Job type:Permanent Company: Eversheds Contact: Mardi Smouha Ref: Totaljobs/1254794 Job ID: 53721812

Eversheds is not your average law firm and we're not looking for average people. We do things differently - in the way we treat our people and the service we provide. That's how we've become one of the largest law firms in the world and a great place to work and develop your career.

The Eversheds Real Estate practice has status and substance. External commentators often refer to us as one of the largest real estate practices and there are very few firms that have such a varied portfolio of work. We aim to be first to the market for solutions for our clients and work seamlessly across borders, integrating our specialists as they need them. The team includes leading experts working on virtually every form of major infrastructure and development project in the market today; shaping the law and delivering the projects that matter.

Within real Estate, the Eversheds planning team has the skills and capability to respond to the demands of any development project and deliver on deadlines. Our network of offices enables us to offer advice when and where it is need, providing local knowledge on a national scale. We have been involved in many of the largest strategic development projects in recent years and have an impressive client list including a high profile amongst the public sector.

Key responsibilities:

You will provide paralegal support to the Leeds and Newcastle planning teams, and to the wider planning team as required. A core component of your role will be to provide support for the teams planning appeal caseload.

You will be a key member of the Eversheds team in providing support to team members but will also be a key member of project teams for specific planning applications and appeals. The latter will involve liaison with project team members, local planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate as required.

Your activities will involve:

Preparation of appeals and accompanying document bundles

Liaison with clients and consultants in relation to preparation for appeals and scheduling of inquiries

Liaison with local planning authorities, the Planning Inspectorate and third parties in relation to scheduling of inquiries and submission of evidence and appeal documentation

Preparation of materials and documents for inquiries and High Court hearings

Management of document libraries for appeals and High Court hearings

Project management tasks in relation to appeal and hearing preparation

Researching planning information relevant to a specific proposal or issue

Assistance with research for seminars, pitches and marketing

Keeping up to date with changes to development plan documents and new planning

Assisting with the preparation of planning obligations.

Skills and experience:

We are looking for an experienced planning paralegal who is a member of ILEX. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience in delivering appeal bundles and documentation to strict deadlines, an ability to juggle caseloads and an ability to build a rapport with clients and consultants.

Key competencies:

Excellent professional qualifications

Service minded and proactive attitude both towards colleagues and clients

Flexibility towards working hours

Confident and effective communicator

A forensic eye for detail.

In addition to the above, Eversheds also require awareness and full participation in the Firms commitment to equality and diversity, the environment and health and safety.

Eversheds endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Eversheds operates within a preferred supplier list.