Public Law Lawyer

Job Description

Job title: Public Law Lawyer

Company: Local Government Association

Job description: Government Lawyer – Public Law
ID 528

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy details

Government Lawyer – Public Law

Closing date: 19/01/2024 16:00
Advertising basis: Fixed Term, Permanent, Secondment
Actual starting salary: £56,112
Salary range or pay band: Grade 7 £56,112 to £67,095
Work pattern: Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Group: Economy, Treasury and Constitution Group
Branch: Various
Location: Pan Wales

Purpose of post

The Legal Services Department within Welsh Government is seeking a number of highly talented lawyers to strengthen its capacity at a critical time in UK and Welsh affairs. If you are attracted by working at the forefront of the law, Welsh Government would welcome your interest. You could be a lawyer at the start of your career, an experienced lawyer seeking to apply your skills in a new and different context, or attracted by an environment which offers and embraces flexible working arrangements.

With more than 200 lawyers and support staff, organised across a wide variety of subject areas, the Legal Services Department is the largest public sector legal department in Wales. It is responsible for the delivery of all legal services to the Welsh Ministers. The Department’s lawyers are at the heart of devolved government, playing a central role in the development of Welsh primary and secondary legislation and Welsh provision in UK legislation and advising on complex matters of public law, projects of national significance and major constitutional developments.

Government work involves bringing to life policies developed by Ministers and officials. This work primarily engages public administrative law, but in the context of the following subject areas:

• Constitutional and administrative law;
• Justice;
• Planning;
• Housing and regeneration;
• Highways and transport;
• Education;
• Welsh language
• Local government;
• Electoral law;
• Public inquiries;
• Health;
• Food safety;
• Social care;
• Environmental law;
• Climate change;
• Energy and energy infrastructure;
• Agriculture and fisheries;
• Economic development;
• Procurement;
• Taxation;
• Equalities;
• Human Rights.

Key Tasks 1

You will be subject to appropriate supervision and monitoring dependent on grade by the Senior Lawyer or experienced lawyer within the team in carrying out some or all of the tasks below.

You will provide legal advice and legislative drafting services in a fast paced, public law environment in connection with matters that often have significant policy (and sometimes constitutional), importance. You will work in a team environment, alongside both experienced government lawyers and policy officials in supporting the delivery and implementation of the Welsh Ministers’ legislative priorities and their broader “Programme for Government”.

For further details of the Legal Services Department, please read the Candidate information pack:

What the organisation will expect:

You will have the ability to work under pressure, be flexible, proactive and self-motivated. You will have the ambition to motivate a team to successfully deliver within a challenging, pressured and fast-paced environment.
You will be able to take an innovative approach, looking for opportunities to do things differently and responsive enough to adapt and develop new options as things change. You will be adaptable, flexible, open to, and accepting of change affecting you and your area of work and deal with that change efficiently and professionally.
As an effective Civil Servant, you will have an understanding of the political landscape and the role that Ministers play in setting the agenda for your business area; an understanding of how to get things done with regard to governance and financial management processes; an ability to manage risk, making informed decisions with little or no guidance; and be able to clearly communicate at all levels, including with senior stakeholders and Ministers.

What your team will expect:

You will value diversity and inclusion, helping to create an environment where individuals feel safe to challenge, share ideas and express concerns.
You will be a role model, who is able to motivate and inspire others, establish a vision and bring others on board.
You will support the development of others, demonstrating an understanding of the importance of learning, planning for and providing opportunities and encouragement for individuals to develop, as well as investing time for your own development

What key stakeholders will expect:

You will be able to use sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide credible advice and guidance to both internal and external stakeholders.
You will understand the importance of building and maintaining constructive relationships, both within and outside Welsh Government. You will have strong influencing skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships that both challenge with support, and build trust and mutual respect across organisational boundaries.
You will be able to use creative thoughts to develop recommendations, and take advantage of opportunities to work collaboratively across boundaries.

Development opportunities

As a government lawyer you will be part of the Civil Service and the Government Legal Profession. Your experience will give you a unique understanding of the devolution settlement in Wales. This role offers lawyers an opportunity to work within a dynamic environment that places them at the heart of devolved government, at the forefront of the policy and law making process and at the cutting edge of major constitutional developments.

To apply, please .

Expected salary: £56112 – 67095 per year

Location: Wales

Job date: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 03:59:30 GMT

Apply for the job now!