£71,000 National, £74,000 Croydon/London per annum.

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfill our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the government’s priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 3000 people, including over  2600 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-government professionals to provide our corporate services. These play an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film here and visit the GLD’s microsite. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Job description
About the Litigation Directorate
The Litigation Directorate currently comprises four divisions with around 900 people based in Bristol, Croydon, Leeds, London, Manchester (Salford) GLD Litigation lawyers conduct public and private law litigation on behalf of Government in a wide range of often high-profile cases, frequently involving questions of constitutional importance. Litigation lawyers also provide expert representation in relation to inquests and public inquiries. As the largest unit within GLD, delivering for clients across Government daily, handling thousands of cases and interacting with the courts, counsel and other litigants, Litigation Directorate is key to delivering GLD’s core purpose, vision and strategic outcomes.

The actions and decisions of Government are under increasing scrutiny and challenge. We deal regularly with matters of significant constitutional and national importance such immigration policy, welfare, climate change and energy policy. Litigation lawyers cover a full range of judicial review challenges in areas such as immigration, planning and national security as well as the Government’s wide ranging reform agenda. Litigation Directorate also has a large private law practice representing large Government departments such as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in personal injury, clinical negligence, misfeasance in public office, false imprisonment, and other claims. They regularly litigate through the higher courts to the Supreme Court and handle cases at the forefront of the developing law.

The Role
Grade 6 lawyers have important leadership roles across our organisation and the post holder will be responsible for the development of the KM function in the Litigation Directorate and to embed and continue to improve KM practice in Litigation Directorate.  Our lawyers all have their own collective and individual responsibilities for knowledge sharing and learning.  The post holder will be expected to facilitate and influence the way in which our lawyers meet their responsibilities and to foster a culture of knowledge sharing and learning in Immigration law and beyond.

Post holders will be expected to demonstrate strong personal legal and strategic analysis, judgement, pro-activity and leadership skills and to forge strong relationships with senior colleagues and supporting communities across GLD as well as government departments, external stakeholders and providers.  The post holder will provide strategic support to our senior management team and work closely with our LG SCS leads for KM and KM Champions as well as our GLD-wide colleagues in the K&I Group, Professional Development team, Digital team and Change team.

As part of the Knowledge and Development Lawyer (KDL) offer within GLD, there is an established and expanding KDL network designed to promote the sharing of best practice.  This is supported by a dedicated training program tailored to enhance the additional skills developed by KDLs.

A word from our Director
Thank you for your interest in this role. 

We offer an unparalleled range of work, in a directorate which prides itself on its welcoming, inclusive culture. We prioritise wellbeing and development so that all of our people can thrive and achieve their full potential. This is an exciting  year for us as we embark on our delivery plan to realise our vision for 2025-27. We aspire to be a brilliant place to work, providing an outstanding legal service to meet the unique litigation and public inquiry needs of government, supporting its aim for a more productive and agile state. We want to be recognised as experts in the legal management of government litigation and in assisting government and Inquiry Chairs on public inquiries. You will play a key role in helping us to deliver this, alongside leading a division with a wide range of work, on issues which are critical to government’s priorities. 

If you have the skillsets to help us deliver outstanding legal services, please do apply!  

Diane Wills

Closing date: 1 September 2025 @ 12:00

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.