10x Senior Trade Lawyers

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

Job summary

An established government department is seeking skilled legal professionals to join their dynamic team, focusing on trade and public law. This role offers the opportunity to engage in high-profile legal work that influences national policies and international relations. As part of a collaborative environment, you will provide legal advice, manage relationships, and contribute to the development of legislation. With a commitment to professional growth and a supportive culture, this position is perfect for those looking to make a significant impact while advancing their legal careers in a transformative setting.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Learning and development tailored to your role

Civil Service pension with 28.97% employer contribution

Inclusive culture

Qualifications

• Excellent legal advisory skills and experience with fast-paced, risk-based advice.
• Understanding of trade and public law with strategic and creative thinking.

Responsibilities

• Providing targeted trade and public law advice including drafting treaty texts.
• Managing legal workstreams and client relationships effectively.

Skills

Legal advisory skills

Teamwork

Multitasking

Trade law expertise

Public law expertise

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, which 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, 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 litigating in courts. Now is an especially interesting time, but throughout your career, you will often work on laws that are in the news. We are investing in GLP's Trade Law Profession through the GLP's Trade Law Career Pathway, ensuring clear professional development and the right expertise for the UK government. 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

Success and Placement: If successful, you will be matched to a role within one of these teams based on your CV and the department's needs. You will be part of a wider network of GLP Trade Lawyers across government bodies such as AGO, FCDO, HMRC, TRA, and UK Missions to the EU and WTO, reflecting the complex ecosystem of legal and policy responsibilities.

The Role

All GLD Advisory Trade Lawyers are expected to advise on both Trade Law and Public Law, with the specific focus varying per role.

Trade Law Advice

GLD Trade Lawyers advise on four main areas:

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

Case studies include negotiating FTAs, with lead lawyers for each chapter, and supporting the development of negotiated texts and agreements.

Public Law Advice

As a Grade 6 lawyer, you will also 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 in drafting laws.

Leadership

While not every Grade 6 role involves line management, all are expected to manage junior lawyers and contribute to the department's culture, including promoting diversity and developing legal training and career pathways.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing targeted trade and public law advice in various formats, including drafting treaty texts and legislation
• Managing legal workstreams and client relationships
• Line managing junior lawyers and fostering their development
• Providing professional leadership within your team and division
• Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders

Career Offer

While prior experience may be relevant, government work involves rapid learning. Support and training are provided, with opportunities to move across legal services during your career.

Candidate Information Sessions

Sessions are scheduled via MS Teams on 29 April and 6 May 2025, offering insights into roles and experiences from current lawyers, with Q&A opportunities. Refer to the applicant pack for links.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• Flexible working options
• Inclusive culture
• Civil Service pension with 28.97% employer contribution

Assessment will include behaviors such as Managing a Quality Service, Leadership, and Communicating and Influencing. Refer to the success profile link for details.

Experience and Skills

• Excellent legal advisory skills and experience with fast-paced, risk-based advice
• Teamwork and multitasking abilities
• Experience advising on trade and public law

Technical Skills

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

Further details on Civil Service recruitment and success profiles can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles.

Academic and Professional Requirements

Minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in any subject or equivalent. Qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales, including overseas qualifications. Candidates cannot apply more than 3 months before their qualification date. Specific criteria apply for Chartered Legal Executives, including passing exams in key law subjects with certain scores.

Security Clearance

Successful candidates must hold or obtain SC clearance, usually requiring a five-year footprint, or three years in some cases. Further info available on the linked page.

Selection Process

Includes submitting a CV (max 1200 words), a personal statement (max 1000 words), and potentially an interview with a presentation. The process assesses experience, behaviors, and technical skills. Full details are provided in the application pack.

All candidates will be notified of outcomes. Merit-based appointments are standard, with a 12-month reserve list option.