Government Legal Profession

The Government Legal Profession (GLP) comprises around 2,600 lawyers who are employed within a range of departments, agencies and public bodies. They provide a comprehensive range of legal services to the government of the day. All GLP posts are open to both solicitors and barristers.

What’s the role of the GLP lawyer?

There’s a huge amount of legal work generated by the government in all the major areas of law, including as it relates to the private sector (eg, advisory and litigation services), as well as in a wide range of specialisms (eg, European, employment, commercial, social security and tax laws). In addition, the GLP has unique responsibilities, including the following examples.

Legislative

GLP 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’s therefore crucial that sound legal advice is on hand at all stages of the policy formulation process. The government provides advice on whether a policy can be introduced under existing legislation and support the preparing of proposals for new laws, among other things.

Litigation

GLP lawyers handle civil and criminal litigation from national security and human rights to judicial review, in all courts up to the Supreme Court, sometimes with constitutional implications.

It’s almost impossible to attempt to list or categorise the variety of work that the GLP is involved in. Government departments employ 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 GLP?

The GLP differs from private practice quite considerably. The work offers a different perspective and intellectual stimulus. The objective is the public good and GLP lawyers can make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of the country. Its lawyers also have the chance to move jobs every few years. This can mean not only a change of job, but also a change of department and even specialism, which ensures that the lawyers build broad skill sets.

They’re 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 wellbeing of its lawyers is important to the GLP and to that end, its legal departments offer flexible working patterns (eg, part-time work and job-shares) and family-friendly policies.

To gain an insight into mental health and the legal profession, read this LCN Says, ‘Work/life balance in the legal profession: mental health under the microscope’.

Career paths

Generally, trainee solicitors will be allocated to one of the recruiting departments (eg, the Government Legal Department or the National Crime Agency) and training will vary depending on the assigned department. Trainees will gain a broad view of government legal work. Any previous qualifying work experience (QWE) will not count and trainees will be required to complete the full two-year training contract or QWE offered.  

Pupil barristers divide the pupillage period (ie, the first 12 months) between a chambers and the government department they’re assigned to. They then spend the remainder of the training period within their department. 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.

Find out more about the training schemes on offer and how to apply via the government website.

GLP lawyers are offered career development, combined with a clear grading structure, and high-quality training, 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 can move between different areas of law and practice within their department or even to other departments, to gain wider experience.

Most recruiting departments offer a provision of SQE preparation courses, payment of course fees and SQE assessment fees and a cost-of-living bursary. The GLP will also fund the Bar course where pupil barristers haven’t yet started the course, but will not provide funding for the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL). Some pupil barristers may be eligible for a cost-of-living bursary – this should be discussed with the recruiting department at the offer stage.

To find out more about what the GLP can offer you, visit our GLP directory page.