254 Jobs in Greater Manchester

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 fulfil 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

The Department for Business and Trade Legal Advisors

Department of Business and Trade Legal Advisers provide legal support to DBT across the range of its work as the UK pursues its independent trade policy and industrial strategy.

We have 8 International Trade law teams, headed by Adrian Roberts as Legal Director. These teams:

Draft, negotiate, implement and advise on Free Trade Agreements, such as the recently-signed UK-India trade deal, the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, and the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Handle bilateral and WTO trade law and investment (ISDS) disputes
Advise on Trade Remedies, Import and Export Controls including sanctions
Advise on UK trade policy including in the WTO, and economic security
Run GLD’s Centre of Excellence to support lawyers across government in relation to trade law issues.

We also have 6 Business law focused teams, led by Jane Hill and Gilad Segal as jobshare Legal Directors. These teams provide legal advice, including developing UK policy and producing legislation on;

UK employment law such as the Employment Rights Act 2025
Competition and Consumer Law
The Post Office, Royal Mail and postal services
Corporate and Insolvency Law
Product Regulation and UK/EU Services Law.

DBTLA lawyers, working with our colleagues in GLD Litigation, handle judicial reviews and other litigation for DBT. We give General Counsel advice to DBT, working with specialists in GLD’s Employment and Commercial Law Directorates.

Our lawyers check and clear correspondence, public lines, submissions and cabinet committee papers. We support DBT Policy colleagues in meetings with ministers, stakeholders, and other government departments. We also instruct external lawyers for DBT, in particular, using and managing our bespoke Trade Law lot on the Legal Panel for Government panel, and the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel.

We come from many backgrounds, including private sector law firms, the self-employed bar, academia, and lawyers qualified in other jurisdictions. We are supported by a fantastic business management team. We seek to grow our own talent, including trainees and apprentices, as well as upskilling government lawyers in trade law and trade law experts in public law.

The Role

This vacancy is a job-sharing post, co-leading the International Trade Investment Disputes Legal Team.

The International Trade & Investment Disputes team provides advice and legal services across two distinct areas: trade disputes policy and casework and investment disputes casework. We service two separate sets of DBT clients, whilst the casework of the team invariably requires significant cross-government engagement, given disputes frequently relate to areas that are the responsibility of other Government Departments.

Key responsibilities:

The post holder will be a key member of the Division’s senior leadership team (SLT) and will be expected to take specific corporate responsibility for the collective leadership of the Division, with allocated responsibilities to be agreed with the successful applicant.
Provide visible and strategic legal leadership in relation to key areas of DBT policy;
Provide visible and effective leadership of the Division as part of the senior leadership team;
Ensure that trade and investment disputes involving the UK are handled effectively and efficiently, enhancing the reputation of the UK as well as the reputation of the team across government
Ensure that, where required, partnering with external legal advisers is effective and efficient and as part of that, delivering effective relationship management with firms on the trade and investment disputes lots of the Legal Panel for Government;
Ensure that high quality risk based legal advice is provided to DBT ministers and officials which demonstrates the team's expertise, but also its solutions-focussed approach;
Ensure that dispute chapters of trade agreements are successfully negotiated and concluded.
Together with your jobshare partner, lead an inclusive, flexible, confident, innovative, efficient and supported team whose skills and capabilities you continuously strive to develop.
Jointly deliver the annual GLP Trade Law Conference.

Person specification

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you provide evidence and examples of proven experience of these selection criteria. Below are details of the essential criteria from the Civil Service Success Profiles that make up this role. Further guidance can be found at Success Profiles.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

Behaviours

Leadership
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Communicating and Influencing
Developing Self and Others

Key Skills and Experience (all points assessed at application and interview)

Substantial experience of International Trade and/or Litigation
Ability to bring wider legal experience and knowledge to bear to pick up and manage diverse new areas of work quickly
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in particular gaining the confidence of senior stakeholders and collaborating across government
Ability to oversee and take responsibility for the quality of work of lawyers, providing support and challenge, and sound direction.
Readiness to play a full part in the collective senior leadership of the legal team and the Government Legal Profession.

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 / or interview. (select as applicable)

Experience of trade and/or investment disputes

Technical Legal Professional Skills (all points assessed at application and interview)

Substantial experience of International Trade and/or Litigation
Expert knowledge of the relevant government context and ability to see legal issues in this wider context.
Ability to think strategically and bring wider legal experience and knowledge to help solve an issue.
Ability to think creatively and give authoritative legal advice facilitating practical solutions.
Effectively managing legal risk.

Security Clearance Level

All GLD employees must hold BPSS. If successful for this post you must hold or be willing to obtain DV level clearance for this role. You cannot start this position until you have obtained at least Security Clearance (SC) level, however continued appointment will be conditional upon obtaining DV security clearance. More information can be found about the vetting and clearance levels before 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.

Working Pattern

Part Time, Job Share (0.6 to 0.8 FTE, equivalent to 3 to 4 days, including Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

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
Communicating and Influencing
Developing Self and Others

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

Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, Government Legal Department contributes £24,914 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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. For our SCS colleagues these include:

SCS Induction

SCS Induction toolkit
Quarterly SCS drop-in sessions. Focus on development and talent management signposting with Q&A

SCS Development Toolkit

Signposts the learning and development opportunities provided by the Cabinet Office for SCS across government and within GLD.

Action Learning Sets

SCS1 GLP action learning sets
Departmental Leadership Group (all SCS 2 and above) are part of a bespoke high-performance leadership and development programme including Action Learning Sets

Other bespoke options available

Psychometric testing Lumina Sparks for new SCS2, providing a personalised reading of an individual’s strengths and development areas
Executive Coaching
In-house shadowing and mentoring/coaching
Networking Deputy Director Forum, established by the DDs in GLD. Its aim is to support and help each other manage the challenges of your roles and develop leaders.

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 and Experience.

Application

To apply for this post you need to complete the application on Civil Service Jobs. The deadline for this application is10th August2026 at 12:00 Midday. You can search for the job using the reference number below.

In your application you will be assessed on the following:

A CVsetting out your career history, with key responsibilities experience and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years, as part of the online application form. The CV will be used to assess Technical Legal Professional Skills as set out in the Person Specification slide, as a first stage sift.
Personal statement of 1250 words, addressing the following:
- Leadership (lead behaviour)
- Key Skills and Experience

It is up to you as the applicant, how your utilise the word count. You will be given an individual score for each of the above, therefore please use a header to identify the criteria you are addressing.

Failure to complete all documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. Should you encounter any issues with your online application or are unable to apply online please contact SCSRecruitment@governmentlegal.gov.uk.

CV Guidance for candidates

Please note that CV forms part of the online application form.

Please find the following guidance on how to populate the three sections of the CV when completing the online application: You will be asked to provide your, employment history, previous skills and experience, and qualifications.

For Employment History – please add your employment history, you can set out the roles you have completed in the past with start to end dates.

For Previous Skills and Experience - please add your experience, skills, achievements, key responsibilities, and any transferable skills you can bring to this role.

For Qualifications – please list the details of your education and qualifications achieved.

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 – 471926 & vacancy closing date 10th August 2026.

Selection Panels

The selection panel for this campaign will be:

Adrian Roberts – Legal Director for DBTLA
Bridget Palmer – Legal Director for DHSC
David Willis/Katie Law - Directors for Trade Defence, DBT

Shortlist

You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through Civil Service Jobs once your application has been submitted.

The panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

Assessments

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a Staff Engagement Exercise.

These assessments do not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Full details of the assessment process will be provided to shortlisted candidates at the earliest opportunity.

Informal Conversations

Shortlisted candidates will also have the opportunity to speak to the job share partner, Shasa Behzadi-Spencer, prior to the final interview to learn more about the role and the organisation. Please note this is an optional part of the process, not part of the formal assessment process.

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

As part of this interview candidates will be required to deliver a short 5 –minute presentation and the title of that presentation will be confirmed in advance. The presentation will assess the Developing Self and Others.

Interviews will take in-person in Old Admiralty Building in London. Full details of the interview format will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview.

Offer, Feedback and Reserve List

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all candidates will be advised of selection decisions as soon as possible thereafter. All advertised dates are subject to change at short notice.

We are unable to offer feedback to candidates who have not attended an interview. Candidates who attend an interview will also be offered verbal feedback from a member of the interview panel.

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 for up to 12 months. We then 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

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

Salary range

£86,000 per year