Law Commission 1 X Grade 6 Senior Lawyer

Ministry of Justice; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organisation is seeking a senior lawyer based in Westminster, UK. The successful candidate will lead complex law reform projects and manage a team of legal professionals. Key qualifications include being a qualified solicitor or barrister and having substantial skills in legal policy and analysis. Flexible working patterns are available, including part-time options, ensuring a balance between office presence and remote work. This role offers attractive civil service benefits.

Benefits

Pension schemes

Training opportunities

Employee networks

Qualifications

• Solicitor or barrister qualified to practice in England and Wales.
• Experience in complex legal analysis and drafting legal opinions.
• Knowledge of public law and law in Wales.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex law reform projects autonomously.
• Manage team lawyers and legal assistants on multi-lawyer projects.
• Identify and manage major risks across Government and stakeholders.

Skills

Legal policy

Project management

Stakeholder management

Legal analysis

Leadership

Education

2.1 undergraduate degree or equivalent

Job description

Overview

The Law Commission of England and Wales is recruiting a senior lawyer to work in the Public Law and Law in Wales team. This is an opportunity for experienced lawyers to lead on challenging and high‑profile law reform, to guide and support the work of law reform teams, and to contribute to the wider success of the organisation. The role is available as full‑time, part‑time or job‑share with flexible working patterns, including compressed hours.

We are committed to treating people openly and with respect. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently under‑represented in our workforce.

Key Duties

• Lead complex law reform projects autonomously, with minimal guidance from the Team Head, including strategic planning, resource planning, risk management and building relationships with stakeholders inside and outside Government.
• Manage Grade 7 team lawyers, SEO Legal Assistants and HEO Research Assistants on multi‑lawyer projects.
• Identify and manage major risks across Government, Parliament and other stakeholders.
• Provide senior steering to team lawyers on high‑risk, high‑profile or challenging work.
• Work with the Team Head to allocate and resourcing work, negotiate new projects, secure implementation of reforms and provide coaching to team lawyers.
• Lead team reporting, HR recruitment, induction, performance management and compliance with public‑access and FOI matters.
• Deliver cross‑Commission corporate initiatives such as PSAG strands, major HR changes or parliamentary appearances.
• Deputise for the Team Head and represent the team at senior management meetings.
• Support the development of law reform manual and encourage team contribution.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a 2.1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) or equivalent experience.
• Solicitor or barrister qualified to practise in England and Wales, or comparable legal professional.
• Demonstrable skills in legal policy and law reform, including project management and stakeholder management.
• Experience in complex legal analysis, drafting legal opinions and supervising staff or trainees.
• Knowledge of public law and law in Wales.
• Strong leadership and change‑making capabilities.
• Experience of supervising small teams.

Application Process

Interviews will be carried out in person (or online if required) and are expected to take place in January. Successful candidates will receive a formal offer letter. Candidates who are not successful may be placed on a reserve list for future posts.

Benefits and Working Conditions

Flexible working patterns are available, including part‑time, job‑share and compressed hours. The role requires a minimum of 60 % office presence, with work primarily based in the United Kingdom. The position is graded at Grade 6 and offers civil service benefits such as pension schemes, training opportunities and access to employee networks.