Senior Inquiry Lawyers

About Litigation DirectorateThe actions and decisions of government are under increasing scrutiny and challenge. Military action overseas, immigration policy, welfare reform, climate change and energy policy are just a few of the issues which generate legal challenges that can hit the headlines.GLDs litigation lawyers conduct a wide range of often high profile cases, frequently involving questions of constitutional importance. Our public law litigation practice covers the full range of judicial review challenges in areas such as justice, health, defence, immigration, planning and national security as well as the Governments wide ranging reform agenda.We also have a substantial private law practice representing large Government departments such as the Ministry of Justice ( MoJ ) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). These teams deal with high profile group actions, actions under ECHR, personal injury, clinical negligence, misfeasance in public office, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and other claims. Litigation lawyers also provide expert representation in relation to inquests and public inquiries. We regularly litigate through the higher courts to the Supreme Court and offer the opportunity to handle cases at the forefront of the developing law.Our lawyers and senior lawyers manage complex and varied caseloads within a supportive team environment, working alongside counsel from the Attorney Generals Panels. They also play an important co ordination role when litigation involves cross cutting legal issues for diverse government departments.Litigation lawyers work closely with policy and advisory legal colleagues in client departments to reduce the exposure to litigation risk and to develop realistic contingency plans when the litigation risk materialises.Litigation Directorate comprises four divisions. The inquiry lawyer roles are in the Covid Inquiry Division and the Home, Office & Immigration Division.Covid Inquiry DivisionThe Covid Inquiry Division is made up of four teams, amounting to around 90 lawyers, paralegals, and business support colleagues.The Division is responsible for leading and co-ordinating the Governments response and assistance to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, acting for a range of government departments and public bodies including Cabinet Office (CO), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), HM Treasury (HMT), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Transport (DfT), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Go Science, the Chief Medical Officer and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).The Division also supports a range of officials and (past and current) Ministers, in giving evidence to the inquiry.Defence and Security DivisionThe Defence and Security Division is made up of five teams, amounting to around 150 lawyers, paralegals and business support colleagues.The Division is responsible for public and private law litigation, inquest and inquiry work for the Ministry of Defence in two private law teams and one public law team. The Division also handles public law litigation (and some private law litigation) for a range of other government departments and public bodies including the Security and Intelligence Agencies and the UK Intelligence Community, FCDO, National Crime Agency (NCA), Attorney Generals Office (AGO) (including contempt proceedings), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Home Office (non immigration public law work).We also have a specialist team dealing with private law work for DWP, DfT and National Highways Limited, as well as some Companies House work. One of our teams is leading and supporting DHSCs (and associated Arms Length Bodies (ALBs)) interests in respect of the Infected Blood Inquiry.Home Office and Immigration DivisionThe Home Office and Immigration Division is currently made up of six teams amounting to around 210 people (including lawyers, paralegals and business management colleagues).The Division is responsible for non national security, immigration related public law and private law litigation for the Home Office. The Division handles public law litigation for a range of other government departments and public bodies including DWP, DHSC, CO and DBT, and private law litigation for, amongst others, FCDO, Department for Education (DfE), Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Division also handles litigation for the Attorney General in support of her public interest functions. It also provides legal support to certain inquiries (such as the Horizon Post Office Inquiry, the Malkinson Inquiry and the Cranston Small Boats Inquiry) and supports departments in their responses to several other Inquiries and Reviews, such as the Thirlwall Inquiry, Lampard Inquiry and Under-cover Policing Inquiry. Justice and Development DivisionThe Justice and Development Division is currently made up of six teams amounting to around 220 people (including lawyers, costs draftspersons, paralegals and business management colleagues). The Division is responsible for all public and private law litigation for the Ministry of Justice (including HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)) as well as public law litigation for: DLUHC (including the Planning Inspectorate (PINS)), DfT, DEFRA, DfE, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), HM Treasury (HMT) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Division also has a specialist Costs Team that provides supports in relation to costs across all the divisions of Litigation Group. The Special Advocates Support Office (SASO) is also part of the Division.The RoleThese vacancies are for permanent roles in the Covid Inquiry Division or the Public Inquiries, Reviews & Litigation team, within the Home Office & Immigration Division. The roles could be worked full-time, part-time or as part of a job share. For some roles, some travel may be required. Depending on the post, you will provide expert representation to Government parties in an inquiry; or you will be providing legal advice and support to the inquiry itself. Higher security clearance would be needed, to carry-out the full range of responsibilities, in some of the roles.In addition, Grade 6 Senior Lawyers have important leadership roles across our organisation. You can expect to line manage up to 4 Grade 7s and /or lead a mini team of up to 7 people including paralegals. You will be expected to provide strong professional leadership while also taking personal responsibility for delivering challenging and complex legal work. .