Senior Public Sector Legal Advisor (Hybrid)

Northern Ireland Civil Service; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working available

Flexitime arrangements

Exposure to varied public sector work

Job summary

Northern Ireland Civil Service is seeking an experienced Legal Advisor in Belfast to provide high‑quality legal advice across public and regulatory matters. The role involves litigation, Judicial Review, and policy support within a busy public sector environment.

The successful candidate will manage complex caseloads, prioritise deadlines, and contribute to policy development on issues including sustainability, data protection and information requests.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Strong litigation experience, ideally including Judicial Review, public law and/or regulatory matters.
• Experience in public/administrative law, regulatory law, energy/commercial law or related fields.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and prioritise multiple deadlines.
• Knowledge or experience of European Union law.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice across public and regulatory law matters.
• Manage a varied caseload including litigation and Judicial Review matters.
• Provide clear legal advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Undertake legal research across public law, competition, energy, water and environmental law.
• Support dispute resolution, complaints and appeals processes.
• Assist with sustainability, penalties and enforcement policy matters.
• Contribute to policy work with a legal focus.
• Advise on freedom of information and data protection matters.
• Review and analyse legal documentation and provide commentary.
• Work independently while contributing to the legal team and handle multiple matters concurrently.

Skills

Judicial Review experience

Public law

Regulatory matters

EU law knowledge

Litigation management

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister (NI or England & Wales)

Job description

Northern Ireland Civil Service is seeking an experienced Legal Advisor in Belfast to provide high‑quality legal advice across public and regulatory matters. The role involves litigation, Judicial Review, and policy support within a busy public sector environment.

The successful candidate will manage complex caseloads, prioritise deadlines, and contribute to policy development on issues including sustainability, data protection and information requests.