What is the Government Legal Service?

The Government Legal Service (GLS) is the organisational name for the legal teams of about 30 central government departments, agencies and public bodies, which between them employ about 2,000 lawyers (including around 50 trainees and pupils). 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 one lawyer in smaller regulatory bodies to more than 450 in larger organisations. The GLS employs lawyers of varied experience, from trainees to those who are highly experienced. The legal teams are made up of litigators, advisers, drafters and/or specialists.

Why join the GLS?

The GLS differs from private practice quite considerably. The work offers a different perspective and intellectual stimulus. The objective is the public good, and GLS lawyers have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the well-being of the country. Itslawyers 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 the 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 its lawyers is important to the GLS and to that end, it offers flexible working patterns (eg, part-time work and job-shares) and family-friendly policies.

Career paths

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. Where necessary, a period of attachment to another department may be arranged. Pupil barristers divide their time between a 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.

GLS lawyers tend to be given responsibility at an early stage of their career. They are offered 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. 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: Between £5,400 - £7,600 plus course fees.
Trainees: Starting salaries vary according to department but are in the range of £22,640 - £24,900 in London.

How to apply

Please see the Government Legal Service page.