Pension Lawyers

Pension Lawyers

Government Legal Department

Locations: Bristol for MOD role

Salary:£68,000

Support millions of people with your unparalleled pensions knowledge. 

Who we are

At the Government Legal Department, we are responsible for providing legal guidance on issues that really matter. As the largest provider of legal services to the Government, we support on issues ranging from human rights to social care, and education to the environment. Working with every key department in Whitehall, nearly 3,000 team-members collaborate to handle issues that impact on every member of society. Whether developing and drafting legislation, providing guidance on policies, driving value from contracts or bolstering economic and trade relationships with national and international partners, this is deeply meaningful work that other employers simply cannot match. Because where else could you have the opportunity to advise on policies and services that directly affect the wellbeing of the population? Join us, and we will see to it that you have all support you need to deliver the best possible results for people from every walk of life. 

The roles

We are currently looking for Pensions Lawyers to join a number of our teams. Regardless of which team you join, you will be involved in a wide range of projects in which you will have the scope to develop specialist knowledge:

• Treasury Legal Advisers: As a member of this busy team, you will take on a leadership role in which you will help us develop public sector pay and pension policies impacting on both central and local government. Drafting primary, secondary and tertiary legislation, you will also define scheme rules, support litigation colleagues in employment tribunals and advise on regulatory matters.

• Department for Work and Pensions Legal Advisers: Advising the Government on occupational pensions and state pensions policies, this is a unique chance to contribute to pensions reform. Whether working on government Bills, handling SI drafting or collaborating with professional regulators, you will be exposed to workstreams that drive social change, and you will be encouraged to engage with other government departments to support cross-cutting initiatives.

• Department of Health and Social Care Legal Advisers: From supporting primary legislation through to drafting secondary legislation, this is a varied role in which you will advise the department on healthcare workers’ pensions. With your work impacting on doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, you will find a great deal of interest in your recommendations, particularly as you will also be part of our Pensions & Professional Regulation team, and you will support policy colleagues within the division.

• Ministry of Defence Legal Advisers: With the willingness to line-manage at least one other lawyer, you will join the Command, Discipline and Constitutional law team where you will advise on eight high-profile armed forces pension schemes. Overseeing case work, drafting amendments and providing policy advice will all make up a significant part of your role, while there will also be the chance to get involved in compensation schemes and non-pension related work such as resourcing permits.

About you

To be equal to any of these roles, you will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales, and you will have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx. You will also need one of the following: a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in any subject in your first degree (or its overseas equivalent), or evidence of high-level academic or professional achievement, such as a Graduate Diploma in Law, Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course, any of which must be underpinned by practical experience.  

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.

In turn, we can offer you a competitive benefits package that includes a generous contributory pension scheme, 25 days of annual leave rising to 30 after 5 years’ service (plus 8 public holidays) and a range of extras such as parental leave, season ticket and bicycle loans. With flexible working arrangements so that you can seamlessly blend your career and lifestyle, you will find much to enjoy at the Government Legal Department.

Focus on the opportunity to do deeply meaningful work. Should hopefully appeal to those with an altruistic streak!