£74,000 London, £71,000 National
 
The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Whitehall departments. From energy to security, from roads to rivers, health to human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. From developing and drafting legislation to helping to secure economic and trade relationships, providing legal advice on polices to ensuring value from contracts, our work is stimulating and varied.
 
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is dedicated to changing and improving lives in the UK. It is central to mission-driven government, from fixing the foundations of an affordable home to handing power back to communities and rebuilding local government. MHCLG is at the heart of government decision-making on planning, housing, homelessness, regeneration, community integration and cohesion, whilst leading on devolution to local authorities and simplification of their funding. We have an unparalleled programme of legislation, both primary and secondary
 
Your role
As an experienced planning lawyer with a good understanding of public law, when you join the team you’ll take responsibility for a number of areas within the legal planning portfolio such as Environmental Assessment, Nationally Significant Instructure Projects, Development Management, New Towns, changes to the National Planning Policy Framework or Biodiversity Net Gain. You’ll work on developing planning policy and legislation and will provide high quality advice within the planning context on public law issues such as conflict of interest, freedom of information, , devolution and the public sector equality duty.

You’ll have a wide range of additional responsibilities including, developing and supporting a small team of junior lawyers and building and maintaining strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders.As a member of our collective leadership you’ll be expected to contribute to the cultural and corporate life of the directorate, work that could include, for example, helping to develop our legal learning syllabus.
 
About you
To be a success in this important role you’ll be an established planning lawyer with a sound understanding and knowledge of public and planning law gained through advising clients and conducting cases across a broad range of issues. With significant experience of working in a busy, diverse team, and the ability to multi-task and prioritise when faced with competing deadlines, your excellent powers of analysis and sound legal judgment will see you producing timely and fit for purpose, risk-based advice.
 
A strategic and creative thinker with excellent interpersonal, communication and coaching skills, the following qualities would also be desirable:

• experience of supervising staff
• experience of drafting statutory instruments
• the ability to provide advice on Bills

You’ll be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales, and will have completed a training, contract, pupillage or qualifying employment, or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx. You’ll also need a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in any subject in your first degree (or its overseas equivalent), or evidence of high-level academic or professional achievement, such as a Graduate Diploma in Law, Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course, any of which must be underpinned by practical experience.  
 
Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where a qualifying law degree is held or the Graduate Diploma in Law has been completed, or where CILEx Level 6 exams have been passed at 50% or above in Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts Law, European Union Law, Land Law, Public Law and the Law of Tort.

GLD encourages its people to develop their skills in a nurturing environment. Other benefits include access to a valuable civil service pension and flexible working arrangements.
 
Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.
 
Closing date: 7 July 2025

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