Public Solicitor

GLD; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking government department as a Senior Trade Lawyer, where you will navigate the complexities of Trade and Public Law. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on critical legal matters that shape public policy and international relations. You'll be part of a diverse team, providing strategic legal advice while developing your skills in a supportive environment. Enjoy flexible working arrangements and access to a valuable civil service pension, all while contributing to impactful legal work that affects citizens across the UK. This is your chance to make a difference in a dynamic and evolving legal landscape.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension

Flexible Working Arrangements

Gym Membership

Healthcare

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

Season Ticket Loan

Work from Home Options

Qualifications

• Excellent legal advisory skills and experience in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to provide risk-based and solution-focused legal advice.

Responsibilities

• Advise on Trade Law and Public Law with a focus on government policy.
• Provide clear assessments of legal risks to officials and Ministers.

Skills

Trade Law

Public Law

Legal Advisory Skills

Legal Judgment

Legal Research

Strategic Thinking

Communication Skills

Job description

Bristol, Croydon, Leeds, London, Manchester

Much more than law

The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Whitehall departments. From energy to security, 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.

The lawyers in our Advisory Trade Law teams have a wide remit and are based in the Attorney General’s Office, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Revenue and Customs, the Trade Remedies Authority and the UK’s Missions to the European Union and the World Trade Organisation.

Your role

When you join us as a Senior Trade Lawyer, you’ll advise on both Trade Law and Public Law – the mix will be dependent on your role. When it comes to Trade Law, there are four main areas you’ll focus on – these are government policy development, the negotiation and implementation of international agreements, the resolution of disputes in international and domestic forums, and corporate support.

The advice you’ll offer in relation to Public Law will involve the legal implications of a policy – this could, for example, involve human rights, an aspect of international law, equality and dataprotection issues or core public law principles. You’ll need to anticipate possible legal challenges and provide officials and Ministers with clear assessments of the legal risks involved.

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 be joining a team of exceptional lawyers, in terms of 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 covered in the GLP is amazing, whether you are negotiating and drafting treaties, advising ministers, literally making new law, or running litigation in the national or international courts. Now is an especially interesting time (!) but throughout your career you will often be doing the law that other people read about in the news. That’s why we are investing in GLP’s Trade Law Profession, by rolling out the GLP’s Trade Law Career Pathway. This will ensure (1) clear professional development opportunities, and (2) that His Majesty’s Government has the right expertise to deliver for the citizens of the UK. I look forward to welcoming you to the team”.

As a Senior Trade Lawyer you can work full-time, part-time or as part of a job share, and if your application is successful, you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance at Security Check (SC) level.

About you

To be a success in this role you should possess excellent all-round legal advisory skills and experience of giving fast-paced, risk-based and solution-focused advice on a wide range of challenging matters. Capable of working in a busy, diverse team, and with the ability to multi-task and prioritise when faced with competing deadlines, your excellent communication skills will allow you to provide advice both in writing and verbally. When it comes to technical skills, you show possess:

• a sound understanding of trade law and public law.
• reliable legal judgment and an appreciation of legal risk.
• the ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly.
• the ability to conduct sound analysis and secure legal research.
• an understanding of the role of lawyers in government.

GLD encourages its people to develop their skills in a nurturing environment. Other benefits include access to a valuable civil service pension and flexible working arrangements.

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 which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service .

Closing date for applications: Noon on Monday 26 May 2025.

Apply by clicking on the Apply Button Below

Associate
Barrister
General Counsel
In-House Counsel
Lawyer
Legal Counsel
Locum Solicitor
Professional Support Lawyer
Senior Solicitor
Solicitor

Practice Area

Civil Litigation
Data Protection
Government relations and public policy
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Litigation and dispute resolution
Local Government
Public International Law
Public Law

4-6 years
7-9 Years

Sector

Public sector

Type of Practice

Public sector

Location

Salary Bracket

Employee Benefits

Bonus and Pension
Bonus scheme
Gym membership
Healthcare
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Pension scheme
Season ticket loan
Work from home