What is the Government Legal Service?
The Government Legal Service (GLS) is the organisational name for the legal teams of about 40 central Government Departments, agencies and public bodies, which between them employ about 1,700 lawyers. The teams provide a comprehensive range of legal services to the government of the day. All posts are open to both solicitors and barristers.

What is the role of the GLS lawyer?
There is a huge amount of legal work generated by the Government in all the major areas of law, much of which is unique. Examples include:

Legislative: GLS lawyers advise ministers and policy administrators on the implications of changes to the law, instruct parliamentary counsel on the preparation of bills, provide advice to ministers during debates and draft subordinate legislation as necessary.

Advisory: Government decisions can be subject to judicial review and it is therefore crucial that sound legal advice is on hand at all stages of the policy formulation process.

Litigation: GLS lawyers handle civil and criminal litigation from personal injury to judicial review, in all courts up to the House of Lords, sometimes with constitutional implications. They also handle litigation in the European courts.

European: Increasingly EC law impinges upon each member state, and it is the GLS which is responsible for advising on its implications for domestic policy and legislation.

It is impossible to attempt to list or categorise the variety of work that the GLS is involved in. In short, legal teams vary in size from two to three hundred lawyers and employ lawyers of varied experience, i.e. from trainees to those who are highly experienced. The legal teams are made up of litigators, advisers, drafters or specialists.

Training at the GLS
Generally, trainee solicitors work in four different areas of practice over a two-year period in the department they are assigned to, thereby gaining a broad view of government legal work. Pupil barristers divide their time between Chambers and the Government Department they are assigned to. Trainees and pupils are involved in the whole range of work conducted by their department, including high profile matters, under the supervision of senior colleagues.

Why join the Government Legal Service?
The GLS differs from private practice quite considerably. Our work offers a different perspective and intellectual stimulus. Our objective is the public good, and GLS lawyers have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the well-being of the country. Our lawyers also have the opportunity to move jobs every few years. This can often mean not only a change of job but also a change of Department and even specialism, which ensures that our lawyers build broad skill-bases. They are supported in this by an excellent training programme, which draws on the experience of senior Government lawyers as well as academics and other leading figures in particular fields of the law. The morale and individual well-being of our lawyers is important to us. To that end, we offer flexible working patterns (e.g. part-time work, job-shares etc) and family-friendly policies.

Career paths
Our lawyers tend to be given responsibility at an early stage of their career. We offer career development and training opportunities combined with a clear grading structure, allowing lawyers to progress to higher levels at a pace determined by their own performance. Sustained good performance is rewarded by additional salary increments. Our lawyers also have the opportunity to move between areas of responsibility within their Department or even to other Departments, in order to gain wider experience.

Earnings
Sponsorship for LPC/BVC: £4,438 - £6,840, course fees are also paid.
Trainees: Starting salaries are in the region of £17,000 - £21,000.

How to apply
Please see the Government Legal Service page.