Senior Lawyer At Government Legal Department

Government Legal Department

Senior Lawyers

London, Bristol, Leeds or Manchester

Grade 6:£71,000 - £74,000 + access to a valuable civil service pension

Deadline: Midday on 13 February 2024

Progress your legal career and deliver life-changing law for the citizens of the UK

The challenge

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, health to human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. From developing and drafting legislation to helping to secure economic and trade relationships, providing legal advice on polices to ensuring value from contracts, our work is stimulating and varied.

Our talent programmes help everyone, irrespective of background, to achieve their potential. Our lawyers work across three main teams: Litigation, Advisory and Employment with the opportunity to progress and build diverse experience across one or more areas.

The roles

Litigation lawyers conduct a wide range of cases across public and private law, which are often high profile and frequently involve questions of constitutional and societal importance. Our cases regularly go all the way to the Supreme Court. You can expect to manage a team of up to 10 paralegal and litigation support staff.

Advisory lawyers bring ministerial policies to life. They create and write the law as well as apply existing law. Legal issues are often complex, novel and subject to intense scrutiny. Projects are often fast moving as we strive to find legally sound solutions to deliver Ministers’ priorities. There may also be some line management responsibilities.

Employment Lawyers advise on all aspects of Civil Service employment, from internal grievances and disciplinary proceedings to cross-cutting policy issues such as equal pay, terms and conditions of service and industrial relations. You will also manage a small team.

About you

You’ll bring a sound understanding of public law or litigation, coupled with reliable legal judgment and appreciation of legal risk. We’ll build on your ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly. An ability to conduct sound analysis and use secure legal research is vital. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your communication skills as you engage directly with senior colleagues and Ministers. The potential to offer strong professional leadership to others while managing your own caseload of complex and challenging cases will be important.

As a minimum, you must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales (or be qualified three months from the date of your application). A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) is essential. 

Benefits

GLD is committed to offering the training and opportunity you need to develop your skills and experience. Other benefits include access to a valuable civil service pension and flexible working arrangements.

Apply

By clicking on the link below