G6 Senior Lawyer Maritime Directorate Department for Transport Legal Advisors

About Department for Transport Legal AdvisersDfT Legal Advisers is the in-house legal team for the Department for Transport (DfT) and it sits within the GLD. Transport touches the lives of everyone in the country. Across road, rail, air, sea and even space, our transport networks affect homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and more. Its how we deliver goods to our shops, get people to work and reunite with our loved ones. DfT works with its agencies and partners to support the transport network. DfT plans and invests in transport infrastructure.We play a key role in giving effect to the UKs international transport obligations. Many of our lawyers are involved in international negotiations and some undertake international travel. Much of the other work splits between public and regulatory law across all transport modes, major infrastructure project work and commercial work. We have a significant programme of bill work. We have one of the largest statutory instrument drafting programmes in government.We have 12 teams and over 160 people and have an exceptionally wide range of legal practice.The Maritime Team has 16 lawyers and sits within DfTLA, providing support to the Departments Maritime Directorate, Aviation and Maritime Security Directorate and to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency based in Southampton. The Teams portfolio offers a broad exposure to public law, international maritime security law and other domestic law, and involves close liaison with legal, policy and operational colleagues, as well as engagement with other Whitehall Departments and GLD Litigation.Maritime is a global industry and is regulated by the International Maritime Organization and by the International Labour Organization. The Team supports the work of the Department, in particular the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the UKs Permanent Representative to the IMO through briefings and attendance at relevant IMO sessions.The Teams work offers a broad exposure to public law, international law, competition law and other domestic law, and involves close liaison with legal, policy and operational colleagues, as well as engagement with other Whitehall Departments and GLD Litigation.The Team has responsibility for several high-profile matters, handling regular queries and plans for legislative reform, including Bill provisions relating to seafarers welfare, a key Departmental objective. It is developing a legal framework in relation to autonomous ships, providing legal advice in relation to de-carbonisation of ships and ports, advises on small boats and supports GLD Litigation and DfTc on the Cranston Inquiry.About the RoleThe RoleIn addition to legal advice and legislation drafting on wider maritime matters, you will be required to lead on maritime security matters within the Team.This will involve giving expert advice (including on policy, legislation and governance) on maritime security matters, including international maritime law issues affecting the safety and security of UK vessels outside UK waters and ports; advice and interpretation of legislation in the area of security and commercial shipping and supporting GLD Litigation and DfTc on the Cranston Inquiry.In particular, you will be responsible for the following areas:Domestic and international maritime security regulationAdvising on regular queries, and longer-term plans and guidance in relation to port and ship security plans and International Ship and Port Facility Security Plans. Drafting and advising on maritime security treaties.Clearing submissions.Advising on cross-government governance.Advising on domestic and international security regulation.Providing legal support to GLD litigation colleagues and DfT policy colleagues in relation to the Cranston Inquiry.Supporting overseas territories in implementation of international maritime security legislation.Maritime regulationThe Team has a significant portfolio of secondary legislation for both the central department and the MCA. The postholder will be expected to draft statutory instruments from time to time, although prior experience of SI drafting is not necessary; relevant training can be provided. The IMO has a steady flow of convention amendments, much of which is implemented via secondary legislation, developing drafting skills is an essential part of understanding the nature and extent of international maritime legislation. DfT policy and the Maritime and Coastguard AgencyThe postholder will provide legal advice and support the development of policy within DfT. The MCA is an executive agency of DfT and has technical experts who play a key role in international convention implementation and enforcement. The Team regularly visits MCA colleagues in Southampton The postholder will help maintain and manage effective working relationships with the MCA. Workstreams generally include public law advice; operational advice and generally supporting colleagues to meet policy objectives in a timely and efficient manner. The team supports the work of the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention as well as the Receiver of Wreck in the discharge of his statutory responsibilities. The team does not advise the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.The post holder will be expected to work closely and build effective working relationships with other legal teams in the Directorate, as well as with other lawyers in Whitehall on cross-cutting legal issues. This role will include line management.Please note, the Job Location is London, and the usual expectation is that the candidate attends the office for 60% of the time and/ or in accordance with the GLDs Hybrid Working Policy. However, as the role includes security matters, the candidate may on occasion be specifically required to attend the London office in person, and up to 5 days per week dependent on business need.