G7 Lawyer SASO DV
London
£61,200
£51,541 (Under 3 years PQE)
Much more than law
The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the UK Government’s principal legal service, providing expert legal advice and support to government departments on legislation, policy, litigation and major public projects. GLD Lawyers in the Litigation directorate cover a full range of judicial review challenges: immigration, planning and national security. The Litigation directorate comprises of four divisions: the Covid Inquiry Division, the Defence and Security Division, the Home Office and Immigration Division and the Justice and Development division. The Special Advocates’ Support Office (“SASO”) is a unique team based in the Justice and Development Division of the Government Legal Department (“GLD”).
Your role
Working in SASO, you’ll support Special Advocates, who are security-cleared lawyers with a constitutionally critical role to protect the rights of excluded parties in cases featuring Closed Material Procedure (“CMP”). You’ll work on important, sensitive and high-profile cases. Issues of national security and international relations will be at the heart of the litigation you handle. Our support covers proceedings before the High Court of England & Wales, the High Court of Northern Ireland, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, the Parole Board, the Employment Tribunal and the Security Vetting Appeals Panel as well as in other courts, tribunals and panels across the different jurisdictions of the UK.
Supporting Special Advocates involves a range of tasks. You will correspond with the excluded party or their Open Representatives, courts and Information Owners. Alongside this, you’ll collate open papers and prepare legal materials for the proceedings in Open or Closed. You’ll attend conferences and court hearings and will arrange meetings for Special Advocates to discuss matters relevant to their work.
This role requires the successful candidate to hold DV+ Enhanced Clearance.
About you
GLD are looking for someone with a sound understanding of public law. You’re experienced at – or have an aptitude for – litigation work. It would be excellent to see an ability to adapt to casework quickly in a variety of practice areas and/or jurisdictions.
It’s key that you’re able to think strategically and creatively. You can see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly. Plus, you can conduct sound analysis and use secure legal research to produce timely and fit-for-purpose advice. You’re an effective communicator, both in writing and orally. It would be advantageous if you have existing knowledge of Closed Material Procedure.
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.
The closing date for applications: Noon 2nd September