G6 Senior Inquiry Lawyer

Bristol, Croydon, Leeds, London, Manchester

£71,000 National

£74,000 Croydon/London

The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Whitehall departments. From energy to security, from roads to rivers, health to human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. From developing and drafting legislation to helping to secure economic and trade relationships, providing legal advice on polices to ensuring value from contracts, our work is stimulating and varied.

Your role

We are looking for lawyers to work on important public inquiries. These vacancies are for permanent roles in the Public Inquiries Division and Defence and Security Division (both are within GLD’s Litigation Directorate). 

Created recently, the Public Inquiries Division in Litigation Directorate aims to enhance our expertise in this area, to greater professionalise our service, improve our offer to our clients and share best practice. We’ve worked on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry, the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, Undercover Policing Inquiry, The UK Covid-19 Inquiry, the Southport, Nottingham and Manston Inquiries.

Meanwhile, the Defence and Security Division manage public and private law litigation, inquests and inquiries, including high-value personal injury and clinical negligence claims for the MOD (such as PTSD cohort actions, overseas operations, group actions, and Northern Ireland Legacy cases). We advise departments including DWP, DHSC, DfT and Highways England on data protection and property disputes and defend road network claims.

Depending on the post, you will provide expert representation to Government parties in an inquiry; or you will be providing legal advice and support to the inquiry itself.

Higher security clearance will be needed, to carry-out the full range of responsibilities, in some of the roles.

The roles can be worked full-time, part-time or as part of a job share. For some, travel may be required.

Grade 6 Senior Lawyers have important leadership roles across our organisation. You can expect to line manage up to four Grade 7s and/or lead a mini team of up to seven people including paralegals.

About you

You have a sound understanding of public law, backed by substantial experience of working on, or for, public inquiries. A strategic and creative thinker, you’re able to see legal issues in their context and advise accordingly. You’re confident conducting sound analysis and using secure legal research to produce timely, fit for purpose advice. Plus, you’re an effective communicator, both orally and in writing.

We’d like to see how we’re a good fit for you and your aspirations, paired with a good understanding of lawyers in Government. Tell us what motivates you to join the Government Legal Department and what your contribution will be.

As well as this, we ask that you demonstrate the following behaviours from our Success Profiles:

• Leadership (Lead Behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Benefits

GLD encourages its people to develop their skills in a nurturing environment. Other benefits include access to a valuable civil service pension and flexible working arrangements.

Much more than the law

Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

Closing date for applications: Noon Monday 22nd December 2025.

To apply 

Apply by clicking on the Apply Below