Trade Barrister

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 policies 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 data protection 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 should 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.