Log In
Sign Up
GOVERNMENT LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Senior Lawyer
Location: Bristol, Croydon, Leeds, London (Great Minster House), Manchester
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £74,960 National, £76,405 Croydon/London
Much more than law
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, and from roads and rivers to health and human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. Developing and drafting legislation, helping to secure economic and trade relationships, providing legal advice on policies and ensuring value from contracts, our work is as varied as it is stimulating.
Department for Transport Legal Advisers provides legal advice to the Department for Transport, supporting the development and delivery of transport policy across government.
Our lawyers work across a broad and varied practice, advising on domestic and international matters across all modes of transport. This includes public and regulatory law, major infrastructure projects, Private and Hybrid Bills through Parliament, and a wide range of commercial work.
The team advises on significant and often complex policy areas, including rail, aviation, autonomous shipping, and road and rail infrastructure. With transport decarbonisation a major priority, our lawyers also play an important role in advising on the legislation and legal frameworks needed to support a more sustainable transport system.
Your role
As a Senior Lawyer, you can primarily work across three areas of work. You should indicate your preference as part of your application, and we’ll find the best fit for you.
Area 1
Commercial Planning Lead
Here, you’ll advise on transport-related planning policy and legislation. The work is planning and environmentally focused, with a mix of advisory and litigation support. You’ll be involved in:
- Advising on planning consent applications for large transport infrastructure projects
- Working with government departments on planning reforms, legislation and guidance
- Supporting litigation where needed
- Helping shape policy that affects transport projects across the country
- Bringing planning law experience, whether national, local or environmental, to support the Department’s work
Commercial Infrastructure Lead
In this role, you’ll advise on major rail infrastructure projects, including HS2, East West Rail, Northern Powerhouse Rail, the redevelopment of Euston Station and the regeneration of the surrounding area. You’ll be involved in:
- Advising on consenting regimes for major infrastructure projects
- Supporting the procurement of complex services
- Advising on subsidy control issues
- Working on corporate structuring and governance
- Bringing broad commercial expertise to high-profile transport projects
Area 2
Rail Reform Lead
Our lawyers work together to advise DfT on the full range of rail activity. This includes primary and secondary legislation, public law advisory work, employment and industrial law advice, and advice on DfT’s commercial interests and activity. You’ll be:
- Advising on rail policy, legislation, procurement and funding
- Supporting the development of Great British Railways
- Advising on rail fares, ticketing and retail
- Advising on rail subsidy, grant funding and the financing of future rail services
- Supporting work on competition law, workforce issues and governance matters
- Drafting and advising on complex policy and technical legislation, including statutory instruments
- Advising on areas such as train drivers’ qualifications and standards
- Working on international rail issues, including treaties and Channel Tunnel matters
- Supporting national rail workforce matters, including pay deals
- Helping shape the future structure and operation of rail in the UK
Area 3
Roads – International Vehicle Standards Lead
This role falls under the Roads Group, which specialises in advising on legal issues related to the movement of goods and people by road. You’ll be involved in: