Knowledge Development Lawyer, Immigration Litigation

About the Government Legal Department

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfill our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the governments priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 4000 people, including nearly 3000 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service .

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film . On our website y ou can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 2027 .

About the Litigation Directorate & Immigration Litigation Team

The Litigation Directorate currently comprises four divisions with around 900 people based in Bristol, Croydon, Leeds, London, Manchester (Salford) GLD Litigation lawyers conduct public and private law litigation on behalf of Government in a wide range of often high-profile cases, frequently involving questions of constitutional importance.

Litigation lawyers also provide expert representation in relation to inquests and public inquiries. As the largest unit within GLD, delivering for clients across Government daily, handling thousands of cases and interacting with the courts, counsel and other litigants, Litigation Directorate is key to delivering GLDs core purpose, vision and strategic outcomes.

Home Office and Immigration Division

The Home Office and Immigration Division (HOID) is currently made up of seven teams comprising around 255 people (including lawyers, paralegals and business management colleagues).

The Division is responsible for public law litigation for a range of government departments and public bodies including Cabinet Office, the DWP, DHSC, the Parole Board and immigration public law challenges for the Home Office (HO).

We are also responsible for private law litigation for the HO, FCDO, Department for Education (DfE), Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). We also do unusual specialist work for the Attorney General supporting his public interest function which is not available anywhere else inside or outside of the government.

The Immigration Litigation Teams

The Immigration Judicial Review Teams sit within HOID, and represent the HO in all judicial review challenges to its immigration decisions. They cover a vast array of areas, including, but not limited to: Asylum, Deportation, Entry Clearance, Leave to Remain, Human Trafficking, British Nationality and Passport-related decisions in England and Wales.

In Appeals from the First-Tier Tribunal to the Immigration Tribunal the Home Office is usually represented by Home Office Presenting Officers and the Teams are only occasionally instructed to deal with such Appeals.

The Teams deal with all such Tribunal Appeals when they progress to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

A word from our Director - Diane Wills, Director of Litigation

Thank you for your interest in these roles. We can offer an unparalleled range of work, in a directorate which prides itself on its welcoming, inclusive culture. We prioritise wellbeing and development so that all of our people can thrive and achieve their full potential.

The work of our directorate is critical to ensuring the government is able to govern well, within the rule of law. We are at the heart of many of the cases you will hear about in the media on a daily basis and our lawyers take great pride in knowing that their work has real impact for wider society.

If you have the skillsets to help us deliver outstanding legal services, please do apply!

Career Offer

For some roles, travel may be required. If you join us with less than three years of post-qualification experience (PQE), your starting salary will be 51,541.00 per annum. This will increase to 63,189 (Croydon/London) or 61,124 (National) per annum once you have successfully completed your probation period and either reach three years of PQE or complete one year of service, whichever comes first.

While previous experience or knowledge may be relevant to some vacancies, Government work is likely to involve a rapid learning curve to acquire legal skills and knowledge not required in private practice. Strong intellectual and analytical skills are important. We will provide support to help you acquire the necessary expertise and have a thriving CPD-accredited in-house training programme.

GLD encourages its people to develop their skills and provides opportunities to move between advisory, litigation, employment and commercial law services during their careers.

For Newly Qualified lawyers with under one years experience, GLD operates a 2+2 scheme, whereby these lawyers are allocated to two, 2-year postings over their first 4 years working with GLD; 2 years in a contentious team (litigation or employment), and a further 2 years in a non-contentious advisory post, or vice-versa. The scheme is voluntary and is intended to help Newly Qualified lawyers to develop a broader range of skills and stay fresh in working on different areas of law and in new environments.

About the Role

This is a significant role in the Litigation Directorate and the post holder will be responsible for embedding and continuing to improve best KM practice in their assigned teams, and in the directorate as a whole . Our lawyers all have their own collective and individual responsibilities for knowledge sharing and learning. The post holder will be expected to facilitate and influence the way in which our lawyers ...