Legal Adviser - Drafting Lawyer in London

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

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: SC

Location: London – Canary Wharf – min 3 days in the office per week

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: 6th September 2026

Interview Date: starting from 14th September 2026

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and 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.

The Role

Are you an experienced legislative or regulatory drafting lawyer? Join the Civil Aviation Authority at a time of significant legislative change and help shape a new and growing drafting function within our in-house legal team.

Parliament is currently considering primary legislation that could give the CAA new responsibilities, including powers to make technical aviation law directly in a new CAA Rulebook. As we prepare for this potential expansion, we are looking for lawyers with strong legislative or regulatory drafting experience to draft the CAA Rules, build drafting capability within the team and support this growing programme of legislative and regulatory reform.

As a drafting lawyer in the Office of the General Counsel, you will work on matters of national and international significance across safety, innovation, sustainability and growth.

You will combine high-quality drafting with advisory work, working closely with policy colleagues, government lawyers, technical specialists and senior stakeholders. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a developing drafting capability while working directly with the people responsible for designing, implementing and operating the regulatory framework.

No aviation experience is required. We are looking for lawyers with strong drafting skills, excellent client-handling abilities, a willingness to engage with complex technical legislation, and the enthusiasm to help shape a new function, share knowledge and develop others.

Supported by an experienced and collaborative legal team, you will take ownership of significant drafting and advisory work from the outset, giving you the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of aviation regulation.

Core Accountabilities

• Advising on, drafting and revising legislative and regulatory documents including binding technical aviation requirements and associated materials.
• Supporting the organisation in building capability and understanding around legislative change.
• Providing high-quality, practical and client-focused legal advice.
• Interpreting and applying existing legislation, regulation and policy.
• Working with government lawyers, policy teams and regulators on new legislation, policies and guidance.
• Leading client relationships for allocated projects and matters.
• Sharing knowledge, delivering training and helping colleagues develop drafting capability and understanding.
• Contributing to the development of the CAA’s new drafting function and the smooth running of the legal team.

About You

Essential:

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive with 6+ PQE.
• Demonstrable experience drafting legislation, regulations or other complex technical legal instruments.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Willingness and capability to learn new areas of law quickly.
• Commitment to supporting the learning and development of colleagues.

Desirable:

• Experience drafting complex technical or precision-based documents.
• Experience designing or delivering drafting training or supervision.

About the CAA legal team

The CAA is the UK’s aviation regulator, recognised internationally for our leadership and expertise. The legal team works at the forefront of aviation, supporting a variety of regulatory functions including safety, consumer rights, environmental protection, emerging technologies and the future shape of UK airspace.

Aviation law is a niche area and many of our existing legal advisers did not come to us with aviation law backgrounds. We have a collaborative and supportive culture which will support you as you use your transferrable skills to transition across to working in this regulatory area. You will work alongside experienced lawyers across a broad range of regulatory areas, sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues and contributing to the continued development of the legal team.

This hybrid working role will be based in the CAA’s London office at Canary Wharf, with the particular hybrid working pattern to be agreed with the successful candidate. We offer a range of excellent benefits in addition such as health insurance, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme of up to 12% contribution and much more.

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 and those who may have taken alternative routes to legal qualification.

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.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview.

Working With Us

Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.

Our Values Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone.

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

No recruitment agencies please.