What you will be doing
You will be involved in a wide range of planning matters, including:
- Planning applications, appeals and objections
- Section 106 agreements and highways agreements (s38/s278)
- High Court challenges and Judicial Review
- Enforcement, prosecutions and lawfulness (including Certificates of Lawfulness)
- Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO), village greens and public rights of way
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) matters
You will work with a diverse client base, providing clear, commercially focused advice across both contentious and non-contentious matters.
What sets this role apart
Partner-led, always
You will work directly with partners from the outset, gaining exposure and insight that many solicitors take years to access.
Quality of work
Our work is complex, high-value and often bespoke, delivered to the standard clients would expect from much larger firms.
A more balanced way of working
We believe high-quality work should be delivered sustainably. Our approach to billing and your workload supports long-term career growth without compromising your wellbeing.
About you
We are looking for a confident and commercially minded solicitor who is keen to develop within a specialist planning team.
You will:
- Be newly qualified up to 5 years’ PQE
- Have experience in planning law across contentious and non-contentious matters
- Demonstrate a commercial approach and the ability to work to deadlines
- Be confident managing multiple matters and delivering excellent client service
- Have strong communication skills and be comfortable working with a wide range of clients
- Have a high level of attention to detail and a commitment to quality
Experience in environmental, energy or regulatory matters would be beneficial, but is not essential.
You will also be willing to contribute to business development and marketing activity where appropriate.
The team
Recognised in The Legal 500, our Planning, Environmental, Energy and Regulatory team advises a wide range of private and public sector clients, including developers, housebuilders, landowners, charities and utility companies.
You will be part of a close-knit, high-performing team that works collaboratively and takes pride in delivering high-quality, commercially focused advice.
The team is led by David Harries and includes Mark Turner, a Partner specialising in planning law, with extensive experience across a broad range of planning matters.
About Aaron & Partners
We are not an ordinary law firm.
We are proudly independent and known for our partner-led approach. Our ability to handle complex and bespoke matters, and the strength of our long-term client relationships sets us apart.
Our work requires more than just technical expertise, it demands commercial understanding, clarity of thinking, and a commitment to delivering the right outcome for our clients.
We encourage our solicitors to take ownership of their development, build meaningful client relationships, and broaden their expertise across a range of high-quality work.
Working pattern & benefits
This is a full-time role, based in Chester, with flexibility built into how we work.
We offer:
- A minimum of 5 weeks’ annual leave
- A paid day off to give back to the community (Volunteer Day)
- Enhanced pension
- Healthcare scheme
- Death in service (4x salary)
- Supported parking scheme
- A flexible and supportive working environment
- A culture focused on long-term career development
Our culture
We are committed to creating a positive and supportive working environment, where individuals are trusted, developed, and encouraged to succeed.
Our approach, internally known as “The A&P Way” is built on collaboration, expertise, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional work.
Equality & inclusion
We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly and without discrimination.
