Senior Litigation Lawyer

Senior Litigation Lawyer

£74,000 London

Take the lead in nationally important litigation cases

The Government Legal Department (GLD) offers an unparalleled career for ambitious and insightful individuals. With all Whitehall departments relying on us for astute legal advice, we support colleagues across every conceivable topic. Whether responding to legal challenges to government policies, responding to damages claims or providing expert representation at inquests and public inquiries, our work is both varied and important. Health, the environment, transport and the nation’s defences are just some of the areas that we support, making for an exceptional career prospect within our highly regarded team.

Our Litigation Directorate is currently comprised of around 900 team members working on thousands of cases. From the government’s handling of Covid-19 through to overseas military action, our teams work on constitutionally important legal challenges. Join them in this work, and you could find a career-defining opportunity, with access to high-profile cases – plus the support of cross-discipline colleagues who work collaboratively to secure the best possible outcomes.

Your role

At a time in which the government’s actions and decisions are being more closely scrutinised than ever, you could join one of four divisions where you will act as a litigator and dispute resolution specialist. The divisions that you could join are:

1. Defence and Security Division – which handles both public and private law litigation services to the Ministry of Defence; public law litigation for a range of government departments and public bodies including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Home Office on non-immigration matters; private law litigation for the Department of Transport, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Work and Pensions amongst others. This division also deals with all national security and counter-terrorism litigation for departments and the UK Intelligence Community.
2. Home Office and Immigration Division – which provides: public and private law litigation services to the Home Office on immigration matters; public law litigation for a range of government departments and public bodies including the Cabinet Office, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Health and Social Care and the Parole Board; and private law litigation for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Department for Education, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Division also takes on specialist work for the Attorney General supporting his public function.
3. Justice and Development Division – which is responsible for: all public and private law litigation for the Ministry of Justice and the Crown Prosecution Service; and public law litigation for departments including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Transport, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Education, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, HM Treasury, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Business and Trade and more. A specialist Costs Team also provide guidance across the division and to the wider GLD. The Special Advocates Support Office is also part of this Division.
4. Public Inquiries Division – which provides legal support and advice to government departments and other public bodies in respect of numerous public inquiries and government reviews (including the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, the Undercover Policing Inquiry and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry). We also provide legal support to Inquiry Chairs filling key roles on Inquiry Legal Teams in certain public inquiries.

Leading a team of up to 10 people, you will maintain oversight of a wide variety of challenging private or public law cases, ensuring that the highest standards are being delivered. You will be responsible for a complex caseload and your team will be relying on your guidance in their own cases. You will have the confidence to make effective decisions and guide your colleagues in developing their own expertise.

About you

To make the most of this exceptional opportunity, you will have substantial litigation experience or an aptitude for it, sound legal judgement, good research capabilities and the ability to accurately identify legal risk. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are important, and you will be an inspirational leader who is committed to developing both your own skills and those of others. As such, you will bring a proactive and pragmatic approach to every challenge, and your determination to deliver a high-quality service will be matched by your capacity to see legal issues in their wider context.

Benefits

This is a unique opportunity to join an outstanding legal organisation which is a brilliant place to work. We want you to succeed in your long-term ambitions, so we will provide you with plenty of professional development opportunities, and the full support of our friendly and inclusive team. With access to a desirable civil service pension scheme and flexible working arrangements (including the option to work full-time, part-time or as part of a job share), you will find a role like no other with the GLD.

Closing date for applications: Noon Thursday 20^th March 2025.

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