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Working in Legal

Government lawyers help the government to govern well, within the rule of law. The diversity and quality of the legal work available within government is unparalleled. This includes the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of law and politics on legal solutions which impact on almost every aspect of today’s society.

Legal work that really makes a difference

Everything a government does affects society in one way or another and whether it is developing policy (in areas such as education, welfare, health and social care, transport or defence); enforcing regulation (in areas such as energy, health and safety, transport); administering the justice system; or protecting the public by prosecuting crime, the government needs significant levels of advice.

Government lawyers provide a wide range of legal services across government organisations nationwide. This includes: working closely with ministers and policy makers in helping to turn government objectives into policy; advising on existing legislation and drafting new legislation; defending government action in court; supporting the civil and criminal justice systems and prosecuting crimes.

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We offer world-class training and development programmes. There is the opportunity to develop a varied legal career. You could be working in different areas of law and practice within different government legal organisations or, alternatively, you could specialise in a particular area of law and practice such as commercial or employment.

Other benefits include a healthy work-life balance in a diverse and inclusive working environment. A significant number of government lawyers work from home and/or work part-time or in a job-share partnership. Knowledge sharing is part of the government legal profession’s ethos – sharing information within and across teams, with access to knowledge management systems which are available to lawyers across government.

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“I have worked with some really inspiring lawyers both during my two-year training contract with the Government Legal Department, and since qualifying in to the Clean Energy and International Climate Change Team.”

Saira Ahmed

Solicitor, Government Legal Department

Making law, making headlines, making an impact

The opportunities we offer in creating and implementing new legislation, are simply not available elsewhere. Examples include the groundbreaking Space Industry Act 2018; negotiating the future relationship with the EU and tomorrow’s trade relationship with the rest of the world; and cracking down on tax avoidance.

A number of government organisations (including the Government Legal Department, HM Revenue & Customs, Competition and Markets Authority and National Crime Agency) recruit trainee solicitors and pupil barristers under the umbrella of the Government Legal Profession’s Legal Trainee Scheme.

Where government lawyers work

Many of the best lawyers in the country work within government – some of the greatest experts in public and constitutional law, EU and international law, litigation, enforcement, commercial and employment law, as well as those with deep expertise in all the more specific areas of departmental work.

Government lawyers operate within various professional groupings but they often work closely together on legal advice and share experiences and best practice in other common areas. What they also share is the terrific responsibility of providing the highest standards of service and professionalism to the government of the day. Learn more about career development in the Government Legal Profession here.

Government lawyers work on:

assisting policy development

enforcing regulation

administering the justice system

protecting the public by prosecuting crime

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Kyle’s story

Read about Kyle’s experiences from his time on a training contract within the Government Legal Department.

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Understanding the work of government lawyers

Have a look at our short film which showcases the breadth of work in which government lawyers are involved.

Government Legal Profession job vacancies

See our latest vacancies to become part of our cross government community. You can also sign up for new vacancy alerts tailored to your skills and experience.