Senior Lawyer, DfTLA x 8

Job summary

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.

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 Department for Transport Legal Advisers

Department for Transport Legal Advisers (DfTLA) is the in-house legal team for the Department for Transport (DfT). With an exceptionally wide range of legal practice, 12 divisions and over 180 people, we are a large, friendly and welcoming team, with staff co-located with London clients in Great Minster House, and across our GLD offices in Bristol, Croydon, Leeds and Manchester Salford.

Transport touches the lives of everyone in the country. Across road, rail, air, sea and even space, our transport networks affect homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and more. It’s how we deliver goods to our shops, get people to work, school and health services, and reunite with our loved ones.

DfT works with its agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps UK’s businesses, creates innovation and growth whilst being safer, inclusive and greener. DfT plans and invests in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.

DfT’s Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, outlines her strategic priorities as:

• Improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform
• Improving bus services and growing usage across the country
• Transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility and tackling inequality
• Delivering greener transport
• Better integrating transport networks

DfTLA is at the forefront of helping the Government to deliver its transport policies. Whether on domestic or international matters, our lawyers are involved across an exceptionally wide practice area with work split between public and regulatory law across all forms of transport, major infrastructure project work (including Private/Hybrid Bills through Parliament) and commercial work.

Our general advisory practice is broad and we advise on meaty, often cutting-edge policy areas. We have several of Bills announced for this parliamentary session, covering rail, aviation and autonomous shipping reform, and to facilitate road and rail infrastructure projects. There is significant focus on working towards decarbonisation of the transport system, and the legislation needed to achieve that.

We also have one of the largest statutory instrument drafting programmes in government and offer an excellent opportunity and support to develop drafting expertise. Current secondary legislation projects include regulation of automated vehicles and vehicle safety standards, implementing bus service reform and post-Brexit reform of the Channel Tunnel regulations. There will also be a significant programme of implementing regulations to achieve rail reform in the future.

"Thank you for your interest in these exciting roles in DfTLA. I’m very proud to lead a talented and diverse GLD directorate where everyday, our people see the positive real-world impacts their work has in making transport better for everyone. If successful, you’ll be part of a hugely capable legal directorate dealing with some of the most pressing transport legal issues of the day.

If that sounds like it’s up your street, then I very much hope you’ll apply."

Stephen Cave

Legal Director, Department for Transport

About the Roles – Areas of Work

There are up to 2 primarily commercial roles, both with line management:

1.Commercial Planning Lead – DfTLA provides legal support on transport related planning policy development. The work ranges from legal support on planning consent applications for large transport infrastructure projects to working with other government departments on transport related planning reforms to legislation (primary or secondary) and guidance. The work is planning and environmentally focussed. The team also provides advisory support on litigation. We are therefore seeking lawyers with experience in planning law, whether national or local, and environment law to help contribute to the work of the Department.

2.Commercial Infrastructure Lead – DfTLA advises on all new rail infrastructure projects, including HS2, East West Rail, Northern Powerhouse Rail and the redevelopment of Euston Station and the regeneration of the surrounding area. The work ranges from advising on consenting regimes, procurement of complex services, subsidy control issues, corporate structuring and governance. The work is commercially focussed and we are seeking lawyers with a broad commercial expertise.

3.Rail Reform Lead x 4

We currently have 4 rail legal teams, with lawyers working across teams to advise DfT on the full range of its activity, including primary and secondary legislation, public law advisory, employment and industrial law advice, and advice on DfT’s commercial interests and activity.

There are expected to be up to 4 rail related roles in our rail teams, each of which will include line management responsibility.

This an exciting time to join with the creation of Great British Railways. Lawyers in our rail teams advise at the boundary of public law, statutory interpretation and drafting, and the commercial implementation of DfT’s policies and funding.

Issues on which our senior lawyers lead include:

• Policy advisory and procurement funding advice regarding rail fares, ticketing and retail. This can include expert commercially focussed policy and public procurement advice on future rail fares, retail schemes and policy delivery.
• Railways Bill advisory and drafting advice work, and advice on legislative and non legislative implementation. Issues range from funding & financing of future rail services, competition law to workforce and governance matters.
• Complex policy and technical SI drafting, for example in relation to train drivers' qualifications and standards
• Rail international issues including treaties, and the Channel Tunnel
• National rail workforce matters, including pay deals, handling of IR and strategic policy options for future rail structures.
  

4.Roads - International Vehicle Standards Lead – leading on comprehensive and agile regulation of vehicle safety standards and conditions, with significant impact on Northern Ireland, EU and international trade. Regulation is both international and domestic and includes work for cutting-edge technology, including AI.

5.Roads - Road Safety Team Lead – leading on a range of work relating to road safety; including the legislative changes needed to implement DfT's recently published comprehensive Road Safety Strategy, regulation of the movement of dangerous goods, insurance matters, and contributing to the development of the UK's autonomous vehicle incident investigation regime.

The Roads Group has 3 legal teams that advise on all legal issues relating to the movement of goods and people by road. Our remit is fascinating and incredibly wide. It includes advising on infrastructure projects of national importance, major policy initiatives to reform public transport, international agreements to facilitate the movement of goods, as well as important measures to improve road safety.

One of DfT’s strategic priorities is to reduce environmental impacts, through tackling climate change and improving air quality including by decarbonising transport. We also advise on technical innovations with the potential to revolutionise road transport, including the development of autonomous vehicles and the continuing roll-out of electric vehicles and other low-carbon transportation solutions.

Our work covers both primary and secondary legislation, procurement and commercial issues, and a wide range of public law issues, as well as regulatory and international law. We have 2 roles, each offering varied and stretching work with line management.

Note about the Vacancy
This vacancy notice is advertising for 8 posts within the DfTLA across 5 different roles. Candidates will be asked to indicate the role(s) they are interested in as part of their application, which will support the panel in making their selection. Please note that final role allocation will be based on the best fit with the candidate’s experience and skills and may not align with their first preference.

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 Profiles and how they are used as an assessment method before completing your application.

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

• Leadership
• Working together
• Managing a quality service

Key Skills & Experience
Essential - must be demonstrated at application and interview stage

• Strong expertise in public, commercial, or regulatory law relevant to government decision-making.
• Experience advising on complex, high-profile matters with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in politically sensitive environments while maintaining legal independence and professional judgement.
• Ability to absorb new subject matter quickly and advise confidently in complex areas

Motivational Fit

Essential -must be demonstrated at application and interview stage

• An understanding of the role of lawyers in Government.
• Please outline why you are motivated to join the Government Legal Department and how you feel you would contribute effectively to the advertised roles within DFTLA.

Technical Legal Skills

Essential - must be demonstrated at application and interview stage

• Sound understanding of public law.
• Reliable legal judgement and appreciation of legal risk, including risk mitigation.
• The ability to think strategically and creatively, understanding the role of lawyers in Government and the wider public sector context, and advising accordingly.
• Sound analysis using secure legal research to provide timely and fit for purpose advice.
• The ability to communicate advice effectively both in writing and orally.

Desirable

Desirable criteria will be used when there is a need to distinguish between candidates who are closely tied or the same after the initial consideration of essential criteria, at sift and interview.

• Sound understanding of planning, environmental and/or employment law
• Experience in areas such as subsidies, grants, environment, net zero/emissions, SI drafting, EU and international law
• Litigation awareness

Security Clearance Level

All GLD employees must hold BPSS. 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

There is the possibility that GLD can provide sponsorship for skilled workers, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set down under current immigration legislation. GLD does not guarantee sponsorshipwill be provided or that an applicant will be successful in gaining a skilled worker visa.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that they meet the criteria for sponsorship. They also have the responsibility to notify the Resourcing Team that they require Sponsorship at the start of the onboarding process into GLD. This applies to existing civil servants as well as external candidates.

Qualifications

Academic and Professional
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in their first degree (in any subject). Where an applicant holds an overseas degree qualification this should be equivalent to a 2.1 degree. GLD will consider applicants who do not have a 2.1 degree but only where satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement can be provided (e.g. via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)).
Applicants must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales however, we also accept applications from suitably experienced overseas qualified candidates. You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx.
Please note that candidates cannot apply more than 3 months before their qualification date.
Professional entry criteria for Chartered Legal Executives (i.e. Fellows): Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where (i) a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is held; or (ii) the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE has been completed; or (iii) where exams have been passed

(i.e. a score of 50% or above achieved), at CILEx Level 6*, in all of the following seven foundation subjects in law:
Contract Law
Criminal Law
Equity and Trusts Law
European Union Law
Land Law
Public Law
Law of Tort
*Note: There are specific requirements relating to academic achievement in the CILEx Level 6 exams where these are being used to demonstrate 2.1 degree equivalence as set out below.
Chartered Legal Executives should note that GLD will be willing to accept an, overall, average score of 65% or above across exams passed in the seven foundation subjects in law (where studied at CILEx Level 6) as demonstrating 2.1 degree equivalence (where a 2.1 degree is not held).

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• Technical Legal Skills

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £74,960, Government Legal Department contributes £21,715 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%

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to becoming an exemplar employer on inclusion At GLD we work togetherto foster a true sense of belonging, and to be a brilliant place to work.

A place where everyone can be themselves, thrive and reach their full potential. We’re recognised as a leading legal organisation promoting diversity in the profession. With many staff-led, passionately engaged networks and 12 Senior-level Diversity Champions, our commitment to inclusion is at our very core.

The health and wellbeing of every GLD colleague is a huge priority for us too. We have a pool of trained Mental Health First Aiders always there for those who need them. Join us and you’ll also have access to our Employee Assistance Programme – a free, confidential and expert support service available 24/7. The Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategyhas more information or go to Equality and Diversity.

Do you offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Disabled Persons?

Disabled applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed interview under the Disability Confident Scheme, you should complete the relevant section of the online application. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability.

What reasonable adjustments can be made if I have a disability?

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments in order to support disabled job applicants and ensure that you are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and assessment process.

If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment to be made, or you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact govqualified@tmpw.co.uk in the first instance.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans Scheme

GLD operate the ‘A Great Place to Work for Veterans’ initiative, aimed at giving veterans the best possible opportunity to succeed in joining the Civil Service.

To be eligible to apply under the Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme candidates must:

• Have served at least 1 year in HM Armed Forces, (as a Regular or Reserve, including time spent training)
• Be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of HM Armed Forces
• Not already be a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body

To meet the minimum criteria under the terms of the Scheme a candidates application must:

• Meet the stated minimum eligibility criteria (i.e. academic, nationality, and professional criteria)
• Meet the standard set for the Critical Reasoning Test (where used)
• Obtain a minimum score for (i) the core criteria being assessed at the application stage and (ii) against any job specific criteria specified

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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

To apply for these posts, you will need to complete the online application on Civil Service Jobs, searching the reference below. The deadline for this application is Monday 13th July 2026 at 12:00 midday.

In your application you will be assessed on the following:

• A CV setting out your qualifications, career history, and educational achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. This will be scored and used to assess Key Skills & Experience and Qualifications as set out in the Person Specification.
• Personal Statement (max 750 words) which will be accessed against Motivational Fit and Technical Legal Skills in the person specification
• Behaviours (250 word statements each): Leadership, Working together, Managing a Quality Service and as outlined in the Person Specification.

AI Usage

Civil Service Jobs states that 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

In addition to this please note that in GLD the use of AI is strictly prohibited during tests, written exercises and interviews.

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 – 466536 & vacancy closing date 13th July 2026’.

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 and experience outlined in the person specification.

We will conduct a staged sift. The initial sift will be on CV alone. If you meet the minimum criteria for the CV you will then go to the full sift on Personal Statement andthe Behaviour statements.

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.

Interview

If you are invited to interview, you will be assessed on your performance in the criteria listed in the Person Specification. These criteria are:

• Behaviour: Leadership
• Behaviour: Working together
• Behaviour: Managing a quality service
• Key Skills & Experience
• Technical Legal Skills
• Motivational fit

Candidates will be expected to give a 5 min oral presentation with follow up questions. This will be assessed against the criteria Technical Legal Skills and Key Skills & Experience. The brief / topic will be provided 20 mins in advance to prepare.

Your interview will take place in person at a GLD location.

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. 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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 : People Scout
• Email : govqualified@tmpw.co.uk
• Telephone : 0117 923 4417

Recruitment team

• Email : govqualified@tmpw.co.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 recruitm