Senior Inquiry Lawyers - PS

Government Legal Department; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A government legal agency is seeking qualified lawyers to work in the Public Inquiries Division. Candidates must have a strong understanding of public law and experience in public inquiries, offering legal support to inquiries and managing teams. Opportunities include flexible working arrangements and a competitive salary of £70,984. Roles require security clearances, and a commitment to legal and ethical standards in government.

Benefits

Civil Service pension (28.97% employer contribution)

Learning & development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Inclusive and diverse workplace culture

Qualifications

• Must have sound knowledge of public law.
• Substantial experience working on public inquiries is essential.
• Ability to communicate legal advice effectively is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Assist government departments participating in public inquiries.
• Provide legal advice to Inquiry Chairs.
• Manage teams of junior lawyers and staff.

Skills

Public law understanding

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Effective communication

Experience with public inquiries

Education

Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) or equivalent

2:1 honours degree in any subject

Job description

The Litigation Directorate currently comprises four divisions with around 900 people based in Bristol, Leeds, London and Salford. GLD Litigation lawyers conduct public and private law litigation on behalf of Government in a wide range of often high‑profile cases, frequently involving questions of constitutional importance. Litigation lawyers also provide expert representation in relation to inquests and public inquiries. As the largest unit within GLD, delivering for clients across Government daily, handling thousands of cases and interacting with the courts, counsel and other litigants, Litigation Directorate is key to delivering GLD's core purpose, vision and strategic outcomes. The actions and decisions of Government are under increasing scrutiny and challenge. We deal regularly with matters of significant constitutional and national importance such as immigration policy, welfare, climate change and energy policy. Litigation lawyers cover a full range of judicial review challenges in areas such as immigration, planning and national security as well as the Government's wide ranging reform agenda. Litigation Directorate also has a large private law practice representing large Government departments such as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in personal injury, clinical negligence, misfeasance in public office, false imprisonment, and other claims. They regularly litigate through the higher courts to the Supreme Court and handle cases at the forefront of the developing law.

About the Public Inquiries Division The Public Inquiries Division is currently made up of five teams, amounting to around 150 lawyers, paralegals and business support and project management colleagues. The Division is responsible for providing legal support and advice to government departments in respect of numerous public inquiries and government reviews. We also provide legal support to Inquiry Chairs filling key roles on Inquiry Legal Teams in a few public inquiries. Members of the Division have provided, or are providing, support in respect of many important public inquiries including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry, the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, Undercover Policing Inquiry, The UK Covid‑19 Inquiry, the Southport, Nottingham and Manston Inquiries, besides others. We also jointly lead the Public Inquiries Centre of Excellence along with Cabinet Office Legal Advisers.

About the Defence and Security Division The Defence and Security Division is made up of five teams, amounting to around 160 lawyers, paralegals and business support colleagues. The Directorate is responsible for public and private law litigation, inquest and inquiry work, some of which include high‑value personal injury and clinical negligence claims for the MOD, including PTSD cohort actions, overseas operations, group actions, and sensitive inquests such as Northern Ireland Legacy cases, private law litigation and advisory services to departments like DWP, DHSC, DfT, and Highways England, covering data protection, and property disputes, as well as supporting public inquiries and defending road network claims. Public Law teams advise on judicial reviews and tribunal matters related to national security, policing, sanctions, extradition, and arms exports, regularly appearing in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and contributing to major inquiries such as Grenfell and Undercover Policing, some clients include the Attorney General's Office, Crown Prosecution Service, Home Office (non‑immigration public law work). We have a specialist team that handles some of government's most sensitive cases such as SIAC proceedings, Investigatory Powers Tribunal cases, some clients include the UK Intelligence Community, FCDO, National Crime Agency. Some of this work requires SC/DV clearance.

Role Overview

We are looking for lawyers to work on important public inquiries. Work might involve either assisting a government department which is participating in a public inquiry or working on the Inquiry Legal Team of a public inquiry. These vacancies are for permanent roles in the Public Inquiries Division and Defence and Security Division (both are within GLD's Litigation Directorate). The roles could be worked full‑time, part‑time or as part of a job share. For some roles, some travel may be required. Depending on the post, you will provide expert representation to Government parties in an inquiry; or you will be providing legal advice and support to the inquiry itself. Higher security clearance would be needed, to carry‑out the full range of responsibilities, in some of the roles. Individuals might be allocated to a number of different work inquiries, including one of the inquiries on slide 4 that are ongoing or a new inquiry.

In addition, Grade 6 Senior Lawyers have important leadership roles across our organisation. You can expect to line‑manage up to 4 Grade 7s and/or lead a mini‑team of up to 7 people including paralegals. You will be expected to provide strong professional leadership while also taking personal responsibility for delivering challenging and complex work.

Security and Eligibility

• All GLD employees must hold BPSS security clearance. While BPSS is sufficient for some of these posts, Counter‑Terrorism Check (CTC), Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV) is required to work on some inquiries.
• Successful candidates will be able to start while awaiting clearance at CTC, SC or DV.
• Please indicate in your application if you are willing to seek SC and/or DV clearance which opens up the possibility to work on more inquiries.

Professional Entry Criteria (Chartered Legal Executives)

• Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) OR Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE OR relevant exams (CILEx Level 6) with at least a 2:1 equivalent.
• Must have studied all of the following foundation subjects in law: Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts Law, European Union Law, Land Law, Public Law, Law of Tort.
• GLD will accept an overall average score of 65% or above across exams passed in the seven foundation subjects in law as demonstrating 2:1 degree equivalence (where a 2:1 degree is not held).

Experience / Technical Legal Skills (Essential)

• Sound understanding of public law.
• Substantial experience of working on, or for, public inquiries.
• The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly.
• The ability to conduct sound analysis and use secure legal research to produce timely, fit for purpose advice.
• The ability to communicate advice effectively, both in writing and orally.

Motivational Fit (Essential)

• Explain how your aspirations match our role, role of lawyers in Government and how you would contribute effectively to a role with GLD.

Academic and Professional Requirements

• Minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in first degree (any subject) or equivalent overseas degree.
• Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales (or overseas qualified equivalent).
• Completed a training contract, pupillage or qualifying employment, or exemption by the Law Society, Bar Council or CILEx.

Additional Technical Skills

• Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together.

Selection Process

The closing date will be followed by a strict order of merit process. Candidates will be assessed on Experience/Technical Legal Skills, Motivational Fit and Leadership behaviour. Written exercises, oral presentations and scenario‑based exercises will be part of the assessment.

Salary and Benefits

• £70,984 External candidates should expect their salary upon appointment to be £70,984 National, £74,681 Croydon/London.
• Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in line with Civil Service pay rules on the date of appointment.
• Benefits include a Civil Service pension (28.97% employer contribution), learning & development, flexible working, and a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

Contact & Application

Apply via Civil Service Jobs. All communications regarding your application will be made through this portal. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Legal and Equal Opportunities

GLD recruits by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, promotes diversity, equality and inclusion and encourages applicants with disabilities to apply through our Disability Confident Scheme.