G7 Lawyer – Litigation Group

GOVERNMENT LEGAL DEPARTMENT

Lawyer – Litigation Group

Location: Manchester

Grade 7 salary: £50,455 (national)

Conduct litigation on behalf of the government

Who we are

The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Whitehall departments. From roads to rivers, and from health to human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. We have over 14 teams who provide legal advice on the development, design and implementation of government policies and decisions, draft secondary legislation and work with Parliamentary Counsel on primary legislation. Our vision is to be trusted by government to provide excellent and value for money services, to be known throughout the legal profession for the quality of our work, and to be the best employer for our people.

The roles

GLD’s litigation lawyers conduct a wide range of cases, frequently involving questions of constitutional importance. Our public law litigation practice covers the full range of judicial review challenges in areas such as justice, health, defence, immigration, planning and national security as well as the Government’s wide ranging reform agenda. We also have a substantial private law practice representing Government departments such as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence.

We currently have a number of vacancies for lawyers in a number of teams within the group and when you join us, you’ll work closely with policy and advisory colleagues to reduce the exposure to litigation risk and develop realistic contingency plans when such risk materialises. Conducting litigation on behalf of the government, you’ll use all your experience as you provide legal advice to a wide range of clients on litigation, disputes, contentious and advisory matters. Supporting Senior Lawyers and the Deputy Director, you’ll also work proactively and collaboratively with external delivery partners as you help to quality control their input and hold them to account for the cost, quality and timely delivery of their work.

About you

To be successful in one of these roles you’ll have a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in your first degree (or its overseas equivalent) or evidence of high level academic and/or professional achievement, for example through experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law, Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course. You must be qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales, and you’ll have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx.

Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where a qualifying law degree is held or the Graduate Diploma in Law has been completed, or where CILEx Level 6 exams have been passed at 50% or above in Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts Law, European Union Law, Land Law, Public Law and the Law of Tort.

Capable of communicating with team members and other colleagues clearly, honestly and enthusiastically, and of explaining complex and technical issues in a way that is easy to understand, you’ll have the skills to deliver difficult messages with clarity, sensitivity and – when necessary – persuasiveness. Ready to provide a high quality and cost-effective service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations, and of considering a broad range of methods for delivery, you’ll have a proactive approach to the management of risk and the identification of appropriate solutions.

With a sound understanding of public law, you’ll have reliable legal judgement, an appreciation of legal risk, the skills to think strategically and creatively, and the ability to see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly. You should have sound analytic skills and be capable of using secure legal research to produce timely and fit-for-purpose advice, and any experience of working in litigation or a national security role would be desirable. Actively building and maintaining a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on shared objectives, you’ll also have the courage to challenge assumptions while being willing to compromise if this is beneficial to progress.

For more information

Should you wish to discuss this role in more detail please contact govqualified@tmpw.co.uk

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £50,455.00 per year

Reference ID: 302604