Graduate Solicitor Apprentice (London)

Job summary

At the 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.

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film. On our website you can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Job description

About the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship

The Government Legal Department (GLD) Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship is open to eligible applicants who wish to qualify as a Solicitor.

The apprenticeship will be fully funded and is a between 30and 36-month programme. completed alongside working in a Paralegal role within GLD.

During this time, apprentices will study with BPP before completing the SQE assessments, whilst compiling a portfolio of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).

The apprenticeship will be delivered by BPP via a digital learning platform and study leave will be in line with ESFA requirements. Applicants should be aware of the rigor of the qualifications and be prepared to undertake study in their own time.

Those on the Apprenticeship will remain in an HEO Senior Paralegal role for the duration of the programme and upon successful completion of the apprenticeship will become a qualified Solicitor and move to a Legal Officer role.

Please note: GLD operates on the expectation that staff spend a minimum of 60% of their working week in either a GLD or Client based office. This is particularly important for Early Talent roles such as the Solicitor Apprenticeship to aid learning and development.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to work in fast paced and rewarding environment, as a Graduate Solicitor Apprentice within GLD.

You will play a key role in working to deliver GLD’s service to clients under an appropriate level of supervision including preparing legal documents, undertaking legal research, supporting project management and promoting knowledge management. When the business need arises, you will be expected to support Business Management colleagues with their work.

The specific work tasks of the role are likely to vary depending on the Division and Team to which you are allocated, with differing levels of accountability for owning caseloads/pieces of advice/matter/bill work. You should have the interpersonal skills to work as part of a team and to interact with departmental/cross divisional colleagues, and other stakeholders.

You will need to be able to prioritise work effectively, work to deadlines and showcase behaviours that align to GLD’s culture and values. You will typically report to a lawyer but will often support a wider team, subject to workloads and available resources.

Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Providing legal support to lawyers to help them build and maintain good relationships with clients.
• Playing an active role in legal awareness for clients.
• Carrying out legal research, presenting results and using it to inform notes or first drafts of advice.
• Assisting with the management of large-scale projects such as secondary legislation, implementing new agreements, procurements, litigation and other dispute resolution and coordinating these elements across Government departments.
• Making effective use of information and case management/filing systems (whether electronic or hardcopy), including storing and retrieving information.

Person specification

Behaviours

Below are details of the Success Profiles that make up this role. Demonstrating all the behaviours listed below is essential at either application or interview. You can read more about Success Profile here.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together (lead behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Key skills and experience

Essential - must be demonstrated at application and interview

• Ability to deliver successfully in a pressurised environment.
• Ability to work independently or as part of an effective team on ad-hoc tasks and projects.
• Highly organised with good time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple demands and prioritise workloads.
• Ability to communicate with senior stakeholders within the business and external clients, being able to justify the reasons behind a decision.
• Ability to critically analyse a range of evidence and options and make an appropriate decision.

Motivational Fit

Essential - must be demonstrated at application and interview

Potential is defined in the Civil Service Success Profiles as the aptitude or potential to perform to the required standard. GLD's model of potential can be defined as:

• Aspiration – considers the level of desire to progress (accepting that this varies at different stages of people’s lives) and the motivation to learn and develop.
• Engagement – is about how committed to the Civil Service the individual is at an emotional and rational level.
• Ability - explores how far an individual shows the potential to ‘stretch’ themselves; coping with increased complexity and increased ambiguity, greater use of sound judgement and wider role span.

Security Clearance Level

All GLD employees must hold BPSS security clearance. In addition to this, those based in our London offices must hold or be willing to obtain CTC level clearance for this role. If London based, you can start your position pending this clearance level, however your appointment will be conditional upon obtaining CTC clearance. More information can be found about the vetting and clearance levelsbefore completing your application.

Sponsorship and Visas

We do not provide visa sponsorship for the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship.

Candidates who have existing visa arrangements must ensure that their existing visa arrangements enable them to participate in the apprenticeship scheme and that their current visa arrangements cover the full length of the apprenticeship scheme. Applicants should have the right to work in the UK at the point of application. Should your visa expire whilst undertaking the apprenticeship, the scheme will not provide sponsorship. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they have ongoing visa arrangements to cover the full length of the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme. If your visa expires before or during your time on the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme and you are unable to provide evidence of a continued right to work in the UK, your offer will be withdrawn/contract will be terminated and there may be repayment fees associated with this.

Candidate Information Session

We will be holding a candidate information session for these roles on Microsoft Teams from2:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Tuesday 24th March 2026.

This virtual session will give you an insight into the scheme, job role and application process.

If you are interested in further information on this role please join the link below:

Join event

Meeting ID: 353 347 888 721 26
Passcode: xS39fR9D

Qualifications

Qualifications – Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Five (5) GCSEs between A* - C (9 - 4) including English and Maths PLUS:
A 2.2 law degree or above covering the foundational legal subjects (Contract, Tort, Public, Crime, Trusts and Land Law) completed in the last 5-years

OR

A 2.2 non-law degree or above and pass on a law conversion course which covers foundational legal subjects (Contract, Tort, Public, Crime, Trusts and Land Law) completed in the last 5-years.
You may also be required to sit and pass a Graduate Admissions Test.

Please note: Eligibility criteria is determined by our apprenticeship provider – BPP and this subject to change at any point up until onboarding.

Please contact Emma Marshall if you require further information on the qualifications eligibility before you apply at: apprentice@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,758, Government Legal Department contributes £10,648 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Learning and Development at GLD

GLD has a comprehensive learning and development offer for all employees.

We offer a programme of in-person/hybrid and virtual sessions providing learning on profession-specific, soft skills, technical skills, and different topics. We also support colleagues through a range of different professional qualifications.

Cross-Functional Professional

We support all Professions with building their careers and capability aligning with the wider Civil Service offerings for each Profession.

There are also talent and development opportunities offered throughout the year these include:

• Senior Leaders and Future Leaders Schemes – cross Civil Service accelerated development schemes.
• Beyond Boundaries – cross government development programme designed to help participants develop the knowledge, skills and networks required to build a satisfying and effective career in the Civil Service.
• Mentoring and Coaching – we encourage all colleagues to share their knowledge, capability, and experience.
• Apprenticeships - We have a range of apprenticeships on offer across all professions with the opportunity for all employees to explore a profession specific apprenticeship to support their development in role.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application

To apply for this post you will need to complete the online application. The deadline for this application is Wednesday 1st April 2026 12:00 Midday.

In your application you will be assessed on the following:

• Civil Service Tests
• Provide a statement of 250 words on theBehaviour: Working Together
• A personal statement of no more than 500 words, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to essential criteria of Key skills and experience, and why you would like to become a solicitor in GLD in relation to the Motivational Fit essential criteria within the person specification.

Civil Service Tests Online

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete two Civil Service Online tests: Civil Service Verbal Reasoning Testand Civil Service Judgement Test. You can find out more information and guidance on the tests here, including options to take practice tests.

Please note: There will be maintenance for online tests on Sunday 29 March 2026. This means you will be unable to access the online tests between midday to 1pm, and 4pm to midnight. Your progress will be saved, and you will be able to continue once the tests are available again.

If you are unsuccessful in passing these tests you will be unable to continue any further in the application process. If you successfully pass the tests, you will then automatically progress to the next stage of completing the full application.

We suggest you allow enough time to complete the full application online, prior to the closing date and time, Wednesday 1st April 2026 at 12:00 Midday as once the application is closed you will no longer have access to the ability tests and the application.

Selection Process

After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates’ suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the behaviours , key skills and experience and motivational fit outlined in the person specification.

Please note: We will also conduct a pre-sift to check your eligibility to apply. If we find you are not eligible to apply we will not be able to proceed with your application on this occasion.

LEAD BEHAVIOUR: Please note, if a high number of applications are received, we will sift on the behaviour example Working Together alone.

In the eventuality that there are a high number of applicants successful at sift, GLD may operate a longlist, whereby applicants who have been shortlisted and met the minimum pass mark but are not selected for interview will have their application placed on hold. After the initial interview round candidates on the longlist may be offered an interview, should there still be posts available.

Application Errors

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – Please re-open my application –454307 & vacancy closing date 1st April 2026.

Video Interview
If you are successful in the application stage, you will then progress to being invited to complete a Pre-recorded Online Video Interview.

The video interview will assess the behaviours of: Working Together (lead criteria) and Delivering at Pace. In addition, you will also be asked two questions which will assess Motivational Fit (please refer to the person specification slide for further details).

Candidates will require access to a computer with a webcam/video, microphone and audio. Wi-Fi connection to complete a timed, pre-recorded video interview. Details will be provided to those who are invited to complete this.

Written Assessment Exercise

If you successfully pass the video interview you will then be asked to complete a written assessment which will form part of your assessment against the behaviour making effective decisions at interview. Full details of this will be provided in advance giving you sufficient time to prepare - please see the timeline later in the pack.

Final Interview

If you are successful in the video interview, you will be invited to a final interview. You will be assessed on :

• Working Together (lead behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

During your interview there will be a Q&A on your written exercise, this will assess your understanding of the written exercise and score this against the behaviour 'Making Effective Decisions'.

Your interview will take place online.

Offer

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.

All communications regarding your application will be made through Civil Service Jobs.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible after the interview. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

We appoint in strict order of merit, offers will be subject to BPP confirming candidate eligibility. If you meet the minimum criteria for this position but are not successful for a post, you will be placed on the reserve list. We may contact you to see if you are interested in a post at the same, or a lower grade, in GLD should one arise.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Emma Marshall
• Email : apprentice@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Further information

You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application hasn’t been treated in accordance with these Principles and wish to make a complaint, please contact recruitment_feedback@governmentlegal.gov.uk in the first instance. Please title your email as follows: Job Reference Number – Job Title – Recruitment Complaint. Complaints must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the incident or the decision which has caused the complaint. To fully engage with the issues raised GLD require that you submit evidence of your complaint.

Attachments

Graduate Solicitor Apprentice (London) Opens in new window (pdf, 743kB)