10x Senior Trade Lawyers

Department for Culture, Media & Sport; Croydon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established government department is seeking talented legal professionals to join their Advisory Trade Law teams. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on high-profile legal matters that shape UK policies and international agreements. You will be part of a dynamic team, providing essential legal advice and support across various government departments. With a focus on professional development and a commitment to an inclusive culture, this position promises a rewarding career path in the legal field. If you are passionate about law and eager to make a significant impact on the UK's legal landscape, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Tailored Learning and Development

Flexible Working Options

Inclusive Culture

Civil Service Pension with 28.97% Employer Contribution

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:1 honours degree in any subject; overseas degrees must be equivalent.
• Qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales.

Responsibilities

• Providing targeted trade and public law advice in various formats.
• Managing legal workstreams and client relationships.
• Line managing junior lawyers and fostering their development.

Skills

Legal Advisory Skills

Trade Law Knowledge

Public Law Knowledge

Teamwork

Effective Communication

Education

2:1 Honours Degree

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister

Job description

Length of employment: For existing Civil Servants, there is the possibility of loan. Non-civil servants may request a secondment.

Job Summary:

The Government Legal Department is the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament and the media. Our work includes:

1. Developing and drafting legislation
2. Providing legal advice on policies
3. Securing our economic and trade relationships
4. Ensuring value from commercial contracts worth billions of pounds
5. Providing the Civil Service's employment law advice

We are at the heart of delivering the Government's priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department, sponsored by the Attorney General. We are headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employ nearly 3000 people, including over 2000 legal professionals. Our offices include London, Leeds, Bristol, Croydon, Manchester, and overseas. We provide specialist legal services including Litigation, Employment, and Commercial Law, as well as advising most Government Departments on their policies and services.

GLD also depends on a range of vital corporate services that are essential to the smooth and efficient running of the Department. These include Strategy, HR, Finance, Digital, Data and Technology, Communications, Security, Commercial, and Project delivery.

Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting-edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda exemplifying the Modern Civil Service.

To find out more about what we do, visit the Government Legal Department's webpage or watch this short film showcasing the breadth of work government lawyers and legal trainees are involved in.

Job Description:

Welcome from Adrian Roberts, Legal Director (International Trade)

International trade law is crucial for UK growth, global prosperity, and harmonious international relations. In this role, you will join a team of exceptional lawyers, known for collegiality, expertise, and professionalism, doing a unique and important job. Since I joined the Government Legal Profession (GLP) 23 years ago from the self-employed bar, I have never looked back: the breadth and depth of legal work in the GLP is amazing, whether negotiating treaties, advising ministers, making new law, or running litigation in courts. Now is an especially interesting time, but throughout your career, you will often be doing the law that others read about in the news. That’s why we are investing in GLP's Trade Law Profession, rolling out the Trade Law Career Pathway, which will ensure clear professional development opportunities and that His Majesty's Government has the right expertise to deliver for UK citizens. Good luck!

The advertised roles will be across GLD Advisory Trade Law teams. GLD has approximately 200 Advisory Trade Lawyers in divisions of:

• Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
• HM Treasury (HMT)
• Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT)
• Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ)
• Cabinet Office
• Department for Transport (DfT)
• Home Office
• Department for Health & Social Care (DHSC)
• Department for Education

Should you be successful you will be matched to a role within one of the teams outlined, based on your CV and business needs.

It's also important to note that you'll be part of a wider network of GLP Trade Lawyers across government agencies, including the Attorney General’s Office, FCDO, HMRC, TRA, and UK Missions to the EU and WTO. This ecosystem advises on international trade matters across GLD and the wider GLP, reflecting complex policy and operational responsibilities.

The Role

All GLD Advisory Trade Lawyers are expected to advise on both Trade Law and Public Law, as government lawyers. The mix will vary by role.

Trade Law Advice

GLD Trade Lawyers advise on four main areas:

• Policy development, advising on legal requirements and risks of proposed UK policies
• Negotiation and implementation of international agreements
• Dispute resolution in international and domestic forums
• Corporate support

Case study: Negotiation of international agreements involves forming negotiating teams, with chapter leads advising policy leads on chapters such as goods, services, intellectual property, and others across departments like DBT, HMT, HMRC, and Defra.

Public Law Advice

As a Grade 6 lawyer, you will advise on public law, ensuring policies are legally sound, compliant with human rights, international law, equality, and data protection. You will work with Parliamentary Counsel on legislation and secondary legislation, with a sense of pride and ownership in drafting laws.

Leadership

While not every Grade 6 role involves line management, all are expected to manage junior lawyers, contribute to the division’s culture, and promote diversity and inclusion, as well as legal learning and career pathways.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing targeted trade and public law advice in various formats, including drafting treaties and legislation
• Managing legal workstreams and client relationships
• Line managing junior lawyers and fostering their development
• Providing professional leadership within the team and division
• Building and maintaining stakeholder relationships

Career Offer

While prior experience may be relevant, government work involves rapid learning and support for skill development through a CPD-accredited training programme. Opportunities for career movement within advisory, litigation, employment, and commercial law are encouraged.

Candidate Information Sessions

Two sessions will be held via MS Teams on 29 April 2025 at 2:00 pm and 6 May 2025 at 10:00 am. These provide insights into roles and experiences from current lawyers, with Q&A opportunities. Refer to the applicant pack for links.

Additional Benefits

• Tailored learning and development
• Flexible working options
• Inclusive culture
• Civil Service pension with 28.97% employer contribution

Assessment will include evaluating behaviours such as Managing a Quality Service, Leadership, and Communicating and Influencing. Evidence must be provided at interview or application stage.

Experience and Skills

• Strong legal advisory skills, experience in fast-paced, risk-based advice
• Teamwork and prioritisation abilities
• Experience in trade and public law advising

Technical Skills

• Understanding of trade and public law
• Legal judgment and risk assessment
• Strategic, creative thinking, legal analysis, research skills
• Effective communication in writing and orally
• Understanding of lawyers’ roles in government

Further info on Civil Service recruitment and success profiles is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles.

Academic and Professional Requirements

Minimum 2:1 honours degree in any subject; overseas degrees must be equivalent. Qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales, or eligible via overseas qualification or professional experience. Candidates cannot apply more than 3 months before qualification.

Legal Executives can qualify via specific law subjects or exam scores demonstrating degree equivalence.

Security Clearance

Must hold or obtain SC clearance, typically requiring a five-year footprint, or three years in some cases. Further info available online.

Selection Process

1) Submit an online CV (max 1200 words), scored on experience.

2) Submit a personal statement (max 1000 words) covering behaviours and skills.

Post-application, candidates are assessed for suitability, with possible initial CV sift, followed by full personal statement review. Successful candidates will be invited to remote interviews, including a short legal scenario presentation. Final decisions are made on merit, with reserve lists maintained for 12 months.

We also encourage sharing your profile via VERCIDA for tailored job matching and promote diverse interview panels.