Working here - Government Legal Department

The value of continuous learning.

Given the breadth and importance of work, this is an organisation that places great value on continuous learning and career development. You’ll bring strong intellectual and analytical skills qualifications to practice law as a Solicitor, Barrister of Chartered Legal Executive, upon joining us you will embark on a rapid learning curve to acquire legal skills and knowledge that are unique to government work and not required in private practice. We’ll support you on your journey to grow your expertise through our CPD accredited in-house training programme.

Our Career Offer

GLD encourages its people to develop their skills and provides opportunities to move between advisory, litigation, employment and commercial law services during their careers. For Newly Qualified lawyers (NQs) with under one year’s experience, GLD operates a ‘2+2’ policy. In the first four years of working at GLD, these lawyers will be posted for two years in a contentious team (litigation or employment) and a further two years in a non-contentious advisory post, or vice-versa. The scheme is intended to help NQs to develop a broader range of skills by working on different areas of law and in new environments.

As a key component of GLD’s commitment to providing development opportunities to its staff, twice-annual development moves are available to Grade 7 lawyers at all stages of their career. Movement among GLD divisions of Grade 7 lawyers is encouraged, to develop areas of expertise and acquire knowledge of new areas of law.

Benefits

– Flexible working and family-friendly policies.

– Attractive pension scheme including generous employer contributions.

– Annual leave allowance of 25 days, and then 30 days after 5 years’ total service.

– Career progression and development opportunities.

– Employee benefits portal.

– A range of vibrant staff networks.

Everyone in GLD contributes to and benefits from an inclusive working environment. GLD systematically tackles discrimination, bullying and harassment. GLD is recognised as a leading legal organisation promoting diversity in the legal profession.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. As a disability confident leader, we are committed to equality in our workplace.

We adhere to the independent civil service commission, which regulates Civil Service appointments to provide assurance that they are made on merit after fair and open competition.