IN-HOUSE COMPETITION LAWYER (LEGAL ADVISER)

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator, recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

Date: 4 Sept 2025

Location: London, GB

Salary: up to £84,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

The Role

Are you a competition lawyer looking for a fulfilling, balanced and interesting legal position? Do you want forward-looking work in a sector that is constantly evolving and innovating whilst maintaining the highest standards in protecting the public? This could be the role for you.

We are the UK\\'s aviation regulator, recognised as a world leader in aviation, our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

We have concurrent competition powers with the Competition and Markets Authority to enforce competition law as it relates to airport operation services and the supply of air traffic services. Due to continued growth and anticipated increase in work, we are seeking to expand our competition legal team within the Office of the General Counsel.

The Role and Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in competition law, with proven skills in advice writing, problem-solving, and stakeholder management. Experience in economic regulation would be useful but is not essential. You will play a pivotal role in supporting colleagues, including finance specialists, economists, and policy development professionals, in making transparent and clear decisions that uphold competitive practices and consumer protection.

Your expertise will help shape regulatory strategies and ensure compliance with competition law, fostering a fair and competitive market environment. You will be innovative and strategic, thinking broadly about how to leverage regulatory frameworks and available tools to promote competition and drive industry standards.

Although your primary focus will be on competition law, as a member of the legal team you will have the opportunity to work across many different areas of the organisation. Our lawyers’ work also includes advising on economic regulation; implementing measures to protect consumers; developing new aviation legislation and policy in support of emerging technologies; advising on safety licensing and regulations, implementing measures to protect consumers; helping reshape airspace for the future; and managing litigation such as judicial review and enforcement actions.

As a team, we have a range of professional backgrounds and levels of experience. We pride ourselves on our ability to work dynamically and collaboratively as a team and we are always passionate about achieving the right outcomes. Everyone’s contribution is valued, and we work in an open, friendly, and supportive environment.

You\\'ll be supported by the experienced legal team around you, and from the beginning you will be responsible for your own workload, working closely with colleagues and external stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. You will also work collectively with the team of lawyers, learning and sharing with each other so that as a team we can provide the best legal service to the CAA.

Key responsibilities

• Providing high quality, user-friendly and practical legal advice that is responsive to clients’ needs on a very wide range of matters including interpreting and applying existing regulation and policies, working with government lawyers and other regulators such as the CMA, licensing activity, enforcement and litigation, and the development of new law policies and guidance.
• Leading all aspects of the client relationship for each allocated case or project and proactively being responsible for the matter from start-to-finish.
• Working effectively within integrated and multi-disciplinary teams (internal and external).
• Collaborating efficiently with all lawyers in the team by sharing information, knowledge and learning.
• Building and maintaining trusted professional relationships with clients across the organisation and building the profile of the Office of the General Counsel.
• Aligning the legal service provided with the client demands in a way that improves the organisation\\'s reputation and ensures the CAA continues to be a world-leading aviation regulator.
• Contributing to the smooth running of the in-house legal team.

About You

We are seeking a competition lawyer with 4+ PQE and welcome lawyers who have taken alternative routes to qualification, as well as lawyers who have qualified abroad and are entitled to practice in the UK.

We are an equal opportunity employer actively supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage and support applications from all backgrounds, in particular candidates from minority backgrounds.

The role would be best suited to someone who has the following skills and qualifications:

• You are a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive qualified to practice in the UK with at least 4+ PQE in competition law or related experience.
• You are able to communicate legal concepts and advice to non-legal stakeholders both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• You can build strong relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.
• You have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and you are able to think practically about solutions, taking into account the bigger picture.
• You have the willingness and ability to learn new areas of law quickly.
• You are comfortable juggling a full and varied workload.
• You are resilient under pressure with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• You are committed to your own development and willing to support the development of others.
• You are open to giving and receiving constructive feedback with a learning mindset.
• You are able to build trusted client relationships.
• You are able to plan and prioritise tasks, set targets and manage your time effectively.

Desirable (although this is not essential for the role):

• You have experience in economic regulation.
• You have experience of dealing with litigation matters.
• You have public law or regulatory experience.

Selection process

Those applicants invited to interview will be assessed in line with the skills and attributes above, as well as the CAA\\'s values. Candidates invited for a second interview will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills by responding in writing to a problem scenario set over a 24-hour period.

What Can We Offer You?

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, health insurance, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme up to 12% contribution and much more!

We are committed to maintaining a healthy balance between your professional and personal life. We have embraced hybrid working and members of the legal team attend our office on two days per week with new members attending three days per week, moving to two days after a period of settling in. We offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date

26th September 2025

Interview Date: 6th – 17th October 2025

Important: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

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