Vacancies

Nuisance & Environmental Solicitor

Cambridge/London based | Full-time, Part-time considered | £40,000-£70,000, dependant on experience | Deadline: Friday 11 September

About us

Richard Buxton Solicitors is a specialist environmental, planning and public law firm with more than 35 years of experience. We advise and represent individuals, community groups, charities and campaign organisations across England and Wales on a broad range of environmental and planning matters. Our team works on complex cases that raise important legal and public interest issues, providing opportunities to be involved in meaningful and varied work. As a long-established specialist practice, we offer a collaborative environment where staff can develop expertise in a unique and rewarding area of law.

About the role

We’re looking for a solicitor to join our nuisance and environmental team, working closely with the Partner leading the department.

The breadth of our work means that no two days are the same.

Nuisance is a limitless practice area – the day-to-day subject matter can be anything from the effects of noise, odour, artificial light, dust or smoke, to contaminated land, pollution from poisons and flooding, to anti-social behaviour, to visual nuisances, and everything in between. We have recently represented clients in relation to construction noise, distribution centres, car washes, cockerel noise, fox odour, commercial operations, factory farms, and leisure uses such as events or wedding venues.

Our focus is on representing claimants faced with an environmental problem affecting their home, but we also act for people and businesses who are subject to enforcement for alleged nuisance by local authorities. Success with our caseload requires a combination of listening, storytelling, strategic advice, negotiation, and working alongside expert witnesses and consultants. Ultimately, the work is about helping people through, what may well be for them, one of the most difficult periods of their lives when they are faced with an environmental problem on their doorstep.

Our nuisance practice often intersects with issues concerning animal welfare, including protecting animal rescue and sanctuary activity from local authority prosecutions, bringing action where kennelling practices raise nuisance and welfare concerns, and nuisance claims relating to factory farming across England and Wales.

You can expect to work in the civil and criminal jurisdictions of the Magistrates’ Court, as well as the County Court and High Court. Previous experience in litigation is preferred, although not essential, and there will be scope to develop advocacy experience.

The role is perfect for someone with a keen eye for detail, an ear for a good story, and a discerning nose for anything that doesn’t smell quite right.

What we’re looking for

  • Qualified solicitor (England & Wales, or comparable jurisdictions) [NQ+]
  • Experience in at least one of: nuisance, environmental litigation, criminal litigation, and general civil litigation
  • Strong and proven skills in legal analysis, practical problem-solving, and working with a diverse range of people
  • Strong research, drafting and advocacy skills
  • A genuine interest in environmental and community-focused legal work
  • Ability to manage a caseload independently while working collaboratively within a small, specialist team
  • Excellent client care and people skills, ability to build trusting relationships, communicate empathetically, and support clients who may be dealing with stressful, emotive or challenging circumstances.

How to apply

Please send a CV and covering letter to Hannah Norman and Chloe Warr at practicemanagement@richardbuxton.co.uk. The closing date for applications is Friday 11 September.

 

Work experience placements for 2026

We offer short work experience placements of 3-5 days for those considering a career in environmental, planning and public law, or otherwise interested in finding out more about what we do.

Eligibility

Our work experience placements are open to anyone aged 18 and above. Applications from students between the ages of 16-18 looking for a work experience placement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Our main office is in Cambridge however we also have an office in Whitechapel, London. Applicants can choose which office they would like to attend during their placement but are encouraged to try and attend both to enable exposure to more of the firm’s work.

Application Process

If you would like to be considered for a work experience placement with us, please send an email to Hannah Norman & Chloe Warr at practicemanagement@richardbuxton.co.uk and include the following:

  • CV of no more than two pages
  • Covering letter including:
    • why you are interested in (or exploring) a career in environmental, planning and/or public law
    • what particularly draws you to Richard Buxton Solicitors
    • any previous experience you have which relates to our work (directly or indirectly)
  • Your availability for the placement period
  • A reference letter from a teacher (applicable to sixth-form students only)

Before making any application, please consult the table below, as applications for each intake will only be accepted within the relevant application window.

Application window

Placement period
1 July – 30 September 2026 January – March 2027
1 October – 31 December 2026 April – June 2027
1 January – 31 March 2027 July – September 2027
1 April – 30 June 2027 October – December 2027

At the end of each application window, we will notify all candidates individually of the outcome. If you are unsuccessful in securing a placement, you may re-apply for the next placement period.