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Honorary Solicitor and Secretary

Role Description 2026

 

The role and its impact

The Honorary Solicitor and Secretary is a member of the RTPI’s Board of Trustees (the Board). The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction and managing the affairs of the RTPI. It oversees how the Institute is meeting its strategic objectives and delivering services of value to our members.

Our Trustees play a pivotal role right at the heart of the RTPI, bringing ideas, experience, knowledge and constructive challenge. They are collectively responsible for driving the RTPI forward, for setting and overseeing the delivery of a corporate strategy, business plan and budget that meets the Institute’s purpose and ensures an effective use of RTPI resources.

The Honorary Solicitor and Secretary is asked to apply their legal analysis, knowledge and experience to any legal matters considered by the Board.

What’s involved

Trustees contribute to the Board's debates, discussions and collective decision-making. Trustees will also typically join (either as Chair or as a member) at least one of the Board's sub or standing committees and report on the work of that committee to the Board at each meeting.

As a member of the Board of Trustees you will be responsible for making decisions in the following areas:

Statutory responsibilities

  • Ensuring that the Institute is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
  • Complying with the Institute’s governing document and the law
  • Acting in the Institute’s best interests
  • Managing the Institute’s resources responsibly
  • Acting with reasonable care and skill

Strategy and planning

  • Shaping the RTPI’s corporate planning processes – including the corporate strategy, the business plan, and the annual budget and supporting documents such as committee work plans.
  • Ensuring the RTPI has appropriate polices in place on key matters such as health and safety, risk management, data protection and financial management.

Financial management

  • Approving the RTPI’s annual report and accounts.
  • Reviewing the auditors’ report on the annual accounts.
  • Agreeing the subscription structure for the following year, subject to consultation with the General Assembly.

One Institute cohesion

  • Receiving reports from the Institute’s standing committees, subcommittees, panels, and working groups.
  • Receiving reports from the President, Chief Executive, volunteers, and senior staff.
  • Fostering and maintaining good relationships with fellow Trustees, committee members, volunteers, and staff.

As Honorary Solicitor and Secretary you will also:

  • Apply your legal analysis and your knowledge and experience of legal governance and current legal practice relating to registered charities to matters considered by the Board.
  • Be consulted on proposals for the precautionary suspension of members.

This list is indicative and other appropriate matters may arise.

Eligibility criteria

  • A legal or legal associate RTPI Member
  • Credibility within the profession and among external stakeholders
  • A commitment to supporting the RTPI’s strategic objectives and vision

Time commitment

This role is for a three-year term running from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029.

The role will require approximately 25 days a year in preparing for and attending meetings and other responsibilities relating to the role:

  • 6 full day Board meetings a year and an annual Trustee training day
  • A Board away day with an overnight stay each year
  • Attendance as a Chair/member of at least one Board subcommittee or Standing Committee (4 half day meetings per year per committee)
  • 4 full day General Assembly meetings a year
  • Discussions with the Chair of the Board and Chief Executive regarding legal matters relating to the RTPI as they arise.
  • Taking decisions alongside the Chair of the Board and Chief Executive on any precautionary suspensions of members.
  • Occasional written correspondences or resolutions by the Board.
  • Preparing for all meetings
  • Trustees may also be asked to represent the Board at events as required.

About you

We are looking for individuals with the following experience and attributes:

Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of current legal practice relating to registered charities
  • Knowledge of legal governance
  • Good legal analysis skills
  • Credibility within the profession and among external stakeholders and the wider community.
  • The ability to work as a member of a team, a willingness to accept a majority decision and be tolerant of the views of other people.
  • A commitment to be well informed about the work of the Institute and to devote the necessary time to the requirements of the role.
  • A strong commitment to planning and the RTPI’s strategic objectives and vision.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Impartiality, fairness, and the ability to treat information with sensitivity and confidentiality as required.
  • Good understanding of the Institute’s work and the key stakeholders with which it engages.

Advantageous

  • Previous active involvement within the Institute.
  • Experience in governance roles at other organisations

Trustees are also required to:

  • Follow the Trustee Code of Conduct and Responsibilities, Behaviours and Competences
  • Act in the interests of the RTPI, irrespective of any commitments to other organisations or groups or any personal interests.
  • Declare any potential conflicts of interest and seek advice from the Governance team, if necessary.
  • Adhere to relevant RTPI policies, procedures and behaviours.

How we will support you

  • All members of the Board attend an annual induction/refresher day, typically in January.
  • You will be given access to online training and additional resources through your term.
  • All new volunteers are invited to an Induction to the RTPI and volunteering.
  • You will have a key contact for the role.
  • The RTPI will reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by volunteers carrying out Institute business, in line with the expenses policy.
  • Volunteer involvement is supported by relevant organisational policies, procedures and insurance. Find out more in the Volunteer Handbook.

Benefits of getting involved

Becoming a Trustee of the RTPI is a chance to be part of an enthusiastic team of professionals and make a real difference to the planning profession and communities in which we live and work. 

The opportunity to:

  • gain experience and transferable skills in strategy, business planning, investment and risk management.
  • help shape the future development of the RTPI.
  • help steer the delivery of the objectives set out in the Institute’s Corporate Strategy 2020-30.
  • access to professional networking.
  • expand your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio.
  • gain an understanding of the role of governance in a membership organisation.
  • learn about areas of planning outside of your expertise.

How to get involved

The Honorary Solicitor and Secretary is appointed by members of the General Assembly.

RTPI members will be emailed in August 2026 inviting them to apply for roles starting on 1 January 2027.

Members wishing to stand for election as the Honorary Solicitor and Secretary are required to complete a self-nomination form by Wednesday 16 September 2026. The form shall include a candidate statement, a headshot and the names and details of one Legal or Legal Associate member and five chartered General Assembly representatives who support their nomination.

If there is more than one candidate for this role, nomination details for candidates for the position of Honorary Solicitor and Secretary will be published on the RTPI website and on the independent election scrutineer’s voting page on 28 September 2026 and General Assembly members will be notified that voting has opened.

The election of Honorary Solicitor and Secretary uses a single transferable vote system (voters rank the candidates in order of preference: 1 for their first preference, 2 for their second preference, and so forth).

Election results will be published in October 2026.

Key contact for the role

For any enquiries about the Honorary Solicitor and Secretary role or other roles in governance please contact governance@rtpi.org.uk.

These are voluntary roles. The duties outlined reflect our shared hopes and expectations but do not create any contractual obligations. Find out more in our Volunteering Charter.