Government Legal Department

The Government Legal Department hosted an exhibition stall at the PowerUp Festival, in Regent’s Park, last week – sharing insights into the journey of training and working at GLD. GLD paralegal Tasnia Harun shares her thoughts on the event: “It was great to see so many students exploring a future in law and learning about how our work at GLD differs from a traditional legal career. “We were able to highlight our unique role as civil servants, and how we contribute legal expertise that helps shape policy and legislation.” 

Government Legal Department is seeking to appoint a Senior Lawyer within its Department of Health and Social Care Legal Advisors directorate. DHSC’s vision is to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives, for longer, by supporting healthy behaviours, improving our health and care system, and creating healthy environments. The successful candidate will co-lead the medical devices mini-team, advising DHSC and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on the regulation and policy for medical devices and medical technology – including leading an important project to deliver a statutory instrument to reform the regulatory landscape. Apply before midday on Thursday 7 August. https://lnkd.in/e7CAA2Bv

Luke Corcoran, Senior Lawyer at the Government Legal Department and President of Leeds Law Society, has written his first president’s column in the Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer. This issue spotlights innovation and growth —topics that closely align with his role as GLD's first innovation lead. Read the issue below⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eAwK9cDw

Now is the time to get your entries in for the Women into Leadership Awards and Ethnic Minorities into Leadership Awards ✨ The Dods Events Diversity & Inclusion awards spotlight those who have dedicated their time and skills to encouraging others to achieve their full potential within the Civil Service. Nominations for the Women into Leadership Awards close on Monday 8 September, find out more here: https://lnkd.in/dyBS4arR Nominations for the Ethnic Minorities into Leadership Awards close on Monday 6 October, find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eqpiaVYb

A wonderful evening welcoming our newly called barristers at The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn. So lovely to meet proud family and friends. Particularly delighted to bump into Government Legal Department paralegal Christopher Stevens and hear how much he's enjoying his time with us. Many congratulations to all and best of luck with pupillage applications.

At this year's Civil Service Live, Permanent Secretary and Treasury Solicitor Susanna McGibbon KC (Hon) led a session on the Government Legal Profession 2030: Artificial Intelligence—Opportunities and Challenges. Through interactive sessions, participants explored how AI can improve legal services cost-effectively and examined potential opportunities and challenges for legal professionals by 2030. Susanna reflected on the event: “The UK is harnessing the power of AI so it was great to have colleagues from across the Civil Service engage on a topic that’s going to have a huge impact on how we all work now and in the future. “We were able to delve into real-world case studies where AI has already been implemented in legal settings, showcasing both successful examples demonstrating real productivity gains and lessons learned from various challenges. People were also encouraged to assess how AI could be tailored to meet the unique needs of the government legal sector.”

We are proud to celebrate a decade of recognising legal excellence and leadership in equality. The 2025 Inspirational Women in Law Awards will take place on 4th November 2025, hosted by DLA Piper, London, as part of the Next 100 Years’ celebrations of women in law. These awards honour individuals who are not only outstanding in their legal careers but are also tireless champions of gender equality and positive change in the profession. 🏆 Award Categories Include: Rising Star of the Year In-House Lawyer of the Year Solicitor of the Year Barrister of the Year Champion of the Year Mentor of the Year Paralegal of the Year Legal Academic of the Year Law Student of the Year CILEX Lawyer / Chartered Legal Executive of the Year 💡 Nominate someone inspiring — or nominate yourself! Submit by 7th September 2025 via this linkhttps://lnkd.in/ejm-q-A4 📍 Awards Ceremony: 4 November 2025 📌 Venue: DLA Piper, London Let’s come together to celebrate those shaping a more inclusive, equal, and inspiring future for the legal world. 👉 Nominate now and be part of the movement. #InspirationalWomenInLaw #Next100Years #EqualityInLaw #LegalLeadership #WomenInLaw #LawAwards2025 #Changemakers #DiversityInLaw

Departments across the wider Government Legal Profession (GLP) hosted their biggest ever annual Diversity Summer Scheme last week, welcoming university students to offices in London, Leeds, Salford, Bristol, and virtually. GLD’s Universities and Schools Outreach Committee Chair Rameen Naylor-Ghobadian, with the People Development Team, coordinated the delivery of the scheme. Rameen reflected: “The 2025 scheme hosted around 500 students, who engaged in an expanded range of activities including visits to the National Cyber Security Centre, the FCDO and to various courts. In addition to meeting the Solicitor General, students also heard about many career journeys and received individual mentoring from their GLP ‘buddy’”.

Ellen Dewar is a trainee solicitor within GLD. She provides an insight into her training: “My first two seats were in litigation and the latter two in advisory. My litigation seats were divided into private law litigation and public law litigation. I am now in my fourth and final seat in the Home Office and the work is, once again, very different. Among other things, I am still working on the same Bills I reviewed in the Attorney General’s Office, but now focus on the details of different measures, working closely with policy clients and Parliamentary Counsel to draft them. This seat has so far been challenging and interesting – and I’m looking forward to qualification.” Find out more about our trainee solicitor programme: https://lnkd.in/g3pAWjT

We currently have an interesting opportunity in GLD for G6 Senior Advisory Lawyers. Our advisory lawyers work collaboratively with policy officials and other professionals in the departments we advise to deliver the day-to-day business of government and find legally sound solutions to deliver Ministers’ priorities. Ministers often want to reform and improve the area they are responsible for. They are likely to be brimming with ideas about how to change things - for example, by more affordable childcare, planning regulations which support the growth agenda, reforming welfare, and restricting the activities of hostile state actors in the UK. Apply by Monday 18 August. https://lnkd.in/ewE5UcTD