Advisory Counsel Grade I - Group C

The Advisory Counsel Grade I – Group C role leads and manages the advisory group responsible for legal work in the areas of Planning, Environment and Utilities. This includes providing high‑level legal advice to Government Departments on matters such as planning and development regulation, environmental compliance, public procurement, climate-related statutory obligations, and governance of public utilities.

Core responsibilities include:

• coordinating and supervising the group’s legal advisory work on complex planning, environmental, and utility law issues
• guiding and advising on the development and drafting of legislation in these areas, ensuring compatibility with constitutional, EU, and international legal obligations.
• overseeing involvement in litigation, including judicial review matters arising in planning and environmental law, and collaborating with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office on litigation strategy
• participating in the Office’s Management Committee, contributing to cross‑office coordination, legal service alignment, and organisational strategy
• ensuring legal services within the group are delivered to a high standard, with an emphasis on efficiency, legal rigour, and value for money
• supporting cross‑government policy development in environmental, planning, and infrastructure matters by providing timely, expert legal analysis

This role plays a critical part in supporting Government priorities in environmental regulation, national infrastructure planning, and the legislative frameworks governing these areas.