Senior Lawyer in Bristol

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, and from roads and rivers to health and human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. Developing and drafting legislation, helping to secure economic and trade relationships, providing legal advice on policies and ensuring value from contracts, our work is as varied as it is stimulating.

The Department for Transport Legal Advisers provides legal advice to the Department for Transport, supporting the development and delivery of transport policy across government. Our lawyers work across a broad and varied practice, advising on domestic and international matters across all modes of transport. This includes public and regulatory law, major infrastructure projects, Private and Hybrid Bills through Parliament, and a wide range of commercial work. The team advises on significant and often complex policy areas, including rail, aviation, autonomous shipping, and road and rail infrastructure. With transport decarbonisation a major priority, our lawyers also play an important role in advising on the legislation and legal frameworks needed to support a more sustainable transport system.

Your role as a Senior Lawyer can primarily work across three areas of work. You should indicate your preference as part of your application, and we’ll find the best fit for you.

• Area 1: Commercial Planning Lead
  • Advising on transport-related planning policy and legislation.
  • Advising on planning consent applications for large transport infrastructure projects.
  • Working with government departments on planning reforms, legislation and guidance.
  • Supporting litigation where needed.
  • Helping shape policy that affects transport projects across the country.
• Commercial Infrastructure Lead
  • Advising on major rail infrastructure projects, including HS2, East West Rail, Northern Powerhouse Rail, the redevelopment of Euston Station and the regeneration of the surrounding area.
  • Advising on consenting regimes for major infrastructure projects.
  • Supporting the procurement of complex services.
  • Advising on subsidy control issues.
  • Working on corporate structuring and governance.
• Area 2: Rail Reform Lead
  • Advising on rail policy, legislation, procurement and funding.
  • Supporting the development of Great British Railways.
  • Advising on rail fares, ticketing and retail.
  • Advising on rail subsidy, grant funding and the financing of future rail services.
  • Supporting work on competition law, workforce issues and governance matters.
  • Drafting and advising on complex policy and technical legislation, including statutory instruments.
  • Advising on areas such as train drivers’ qualifications and standards.
  • Working on international rail issues, including treaties and Channel Tunnel matters.
  • Supporting national rail workforce matters, including pay deals.
  • Helping shape the future structure and operation of rail in the UK.
• Area 3: Roads – International Vehicle Standards Lead
  • Advising on vehicle safety standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Supporting work across Northern Ireland, the EU and international trade.
  • Advising on domestic and international vehicle standards.
  • Working on regulations for emerging vehicle technology, including AI.
  • Helping shape legal advice on cutting-edge transport innovation.
• Roads – Road Safety Team Lead
  • Advising on commercial and procurement matters.
  • Contributing to the development of the UK’s autonomous vehicle incident investigation regime.
  • Helping shape legal work that supports safer roads and future transport.

In order to carry out your work successfully, you’ll need to have BPSS security clearance and must hold or be willing to obtain CTC level clearance.

To succeed in these roles, you’ll need strong legal judgement, sound analytical skills and the ability to advise confidently on complex issues. You’ll bring expertise in public, commercial or regulatory law relevant to government decision-making, alongside the ability to understand legal risk and provide practical advice. You’ll be working on high-profile matters with a range of stakeholders, so strong communication skills are essential. You’ll need to be comfortable working with both legal and non-legal audiences, explaining complex issues clearly and building trusted relationships across the Department and wider government. These are varied roles, often involving politically sensitive work. We’ll look for people who can absorb new subject matter quickly, think strategically and creatively, and work with independence while maintaining sound professional judgement. You should also be motivated to join the Government Legal Department and have a good understanding of the role lawyers play in government.

You should be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales. We also welcome applications from suitably experienced overseas qualified candidates, provided you meet the relevant eligibility requirements. You’ll need a minimum 2:1 honours degree in your first degree, or an equivalent overseas qualification. Applicants without a 2:1 may still be considered where they can show evidence of equivalent high-level academic or professional achievement. Experience in areas such as planning, environmental law, employment law, subsidies, grants, net zero or emissions, statutory instruments, international law or litigation would be desirable, but is not essential.

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: 13th July.