About the Government Legal Department

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

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 4000 people, including nearly 3000 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-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing 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.

About the Litigation Directorate

The Litigation Directorate currently comprises four divisions with around 900 people based in Bristol, Leeds, London and 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.

A word from our Director ​

Thank you for your interest in these roles. We can 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. The work of our directorate is critical to ensuring the government is able to govern well, within the rule of law. We are at the heart of many of the cases you will hear about in the media on a daily basis and our lawyers take great pride in knowing that their work has real impact for wider society. ​​

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

Diane Wills​, Director of Litigation ​

About the Public Inquiries Division

Public Inquiry work

Litigation Directorate leads the way in providing legal support to Government and Inquiry Chairs on the most important public inquiries.​

​Our lawyers have unparalleled opportunities to work on high profile matters of public concern, coupled with the ability to enhance their legal skills and experience in a friendly and inclusive work environment.​

In January, we created the Public Inquiries Division in Litigation Directorate. The aim was to bring together and further enhance our expertise in this area, to greater professionalise our service thereby improving our offer to our clients and to share best practice. We will also look to build our capability and develop our talent with greater opportunities for GLD lawyers to fill vital inquiry roles in future public inquiries. Some public inquiry work will continue to be led by the Defence and Security Division, but we will collaborate across teams on this important work.​

Litigation Directorate also jointly lead the new Public Inquiries Centre of Excellence along with Cabinet Office Legal Advisers. This will facilitate greater collaboration across Government Legal Department and bring together all lawyers working in this area. This will allow us to provide expert input on specific cross-cutting issues, enhance our legal knowledge (offering guidance, more dedicated knowledge management and training) and (along with Cabinet Office Legal Advisers and other colleagues) monitor and report on any strategic trends and take action in finding solutions to on-going ‘big picture’ issues.​

​It is an exciting time to join Litigation Directorate and our public inquiry teams.

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