Government Legal Department opens its recruitment campaign for trainee lawyers

The Government Legal Department (GLD) has launched its recruitment campaign for trainee lawyers.

The campaign offers a two-year training programme, which gives legal trainees the opportunity to get experience in both contentious and non-contentious areas of law, across a variety of government departments.

The GLD is the largest provider of legal services within the Government. It offers the opportunity to work with all the main Whitehall departments. From roads to rivers, health to human rights, and more recently Brexit, its work touches on most aspects of public life.

The GLD is currently recruiting for trainee solicitors and barristers. There are six places available to start in 2018 and 30 places for 2019. The deadline for applications is noon on 28 July.

Speaking about her experience on the scheme, India Burnett, GLD’s Treasury Legal Advisers, said, “My work touched on a vast range of subject areas, including EU law, employment law, intellectual property, public procurement, immigration law and prison law.”

“During this time I was able to manage my own cases, advise government departments and draft statutory instruments.”

“This variety was incredibly beneficial in getting a first-hand insight into several areas of interest rather than being pushed to specialise early on.”

Another former alumni, Jonathan Orde, GLD’s Litigation Group, added, “The highlight of my pupillage was representing the government in court.”

“It was, and continues to be, an enormous privilege to be able to do this while still at such a junior level.”

“GLD goes to great lengths to make pupils feel part of the organisation and there is a real focus on helping us develop our careers.”

To find out more about the scheme and to apply, click here.