10 x G7 Commercial Lawyer PS
Government Legal Department, City Centre, Manchester
10 x G7 Commercial Lawyer PS
Salary not available. View on company website.
Government Legal Department, City Centre, Manchester
- Full time
- Permanent
- Onsite working
Posted 2 weeks ago, 29 Jan | Get your application in now before you miss out!
Closing date: Closing date not specified
job Ref: 0421c97304aa4732a25cd00700e1d9d5
Full Job Description
The Government Legal Department is the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament and the media. Our work includes: + Developing and drafting legislation + Providing legal advice on policies + Securing our economic and trade relationships + Ensuring value from commercial contracts worth billions of pounds + Providing the Civil Services employment law advice We are at the heart of delivering the Governments priorities and our success depends on our people. GLD is a non-ministerial government department, sponsored by the Attorney General. We are headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary and employ nearly 3000 people, including over 2000 legal professionals. Our offices include London, Leeds, Bristol, Croydon and Manchester as well as overseas. We provide specialist legal services including Litigation, Employment and Commercial Law as well as advising most Government Departments on the policies and services they deliver. GLD also depends on a range of vital corporate services. These are essential to the smooth and efficient running of the Department and provide the foundation to enable GLD to deliver outstanding legal services. Our corporate functions include Strategy, HR, Finance, Digital, Data and Technology, Communications, Security, Commercial and Project delivery. Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for 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 visit the Government Legal Departments webpage or have a look at this short film which showcases the breadth of work government lawyers and legal trainees are involved in., Commercial transactional lawyers within GLD provide legal advice to government departments and public bodies on some of the most important and interesting matters in the country which are frequently scrutinised in Parliament and the media. Our clients are government departments and our work includes transactional work and procurements, contract management, subsidy control, grants and strategic commercial advice to commercial departments, Secretarys of State and Ministers., Below are details of the Success Profiles that make up this role. Demonstrating all the behaviours listed below is essential. You will be expected to provide evidence to show how you meet the criteria below at interview stage. Communicating and Influencing + Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust. + Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand. Take into account peoples individual needs. + Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required Managing a Quality Service + Demonstrate positive customer service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations. + Provide a high quality, efficient and cost-effective service by considering a broad range of methods for delivery. + Make clear, practical and manageable plans for service delivery. + Proactively manage risks and identify solutions. + Create regular opportunities for colleagues, stakeholders, delivery partners and customers to help improve the quality of service. Making Effective Decisions + Ensure decision making happens at the right level, not allowing unnecessary bureaucracy to hinder delivery. + Encourage both innovative suggestions and challenge from others, to inform decision making. + Analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to support decisions. + Find the best option by identifying positives, negatives, risks and implications. + Present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence. + For further information about Civil Service recruitment processes and Success profiles, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles, Professional entry criteria for Chartered Legal Executives (i.e. Fellows): Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where (i) a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is held; or (ii) the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE has been completed; or (iii) where exams have been passed (i.e. a score of 50% or above achieved), at CILEx Level 6
- , in all of the following seven foundation subjects in law: 1. Contract Law 2. Criminal Law 3. Equity and Trusts Law 4. European Union Law 5. Land Law 6. Public Law 7. Law of Tort
- Note: There are specific requirements relating to academic achievement in the CILEx Level 6 exams where these are being used to demonstrate 2.1 degree equivalence as set out below. Chartered Legal Executives should note that GLD will be willing to accept an, overall, average score of 65% or above across exams passed in the seven foundation subjects in law (where studied at CILEx Level 6) as demonstrating 2.1 degree equivalence (where a 2.1 degree is not held)., 1. An online CV setting out your career history, (name of employer, job title, specific duties) with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years, as part of the online application form. Your CV will be used to assess the Essential Criteria of Experience on slide 6 and will be scored. 2. A personal statement of no more than 1250 words in total demonstrating how you meet the Essential Criteria for Motivational Fit (in no more than 400 words) and Technical Legal Skills (in no more than 850 words). This will be used to assess the Essential Criteria of Motivational Fit and Technical Legal Skills on slide 6 and will be separately scored. Please ensure the personal statement has separate subheadings for Motivational Fit and Technical Legal Skills. Selection Process After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the Motivational Fit, Technical Legal Skills, Behaviours and Experience outlined in the person specification. Interview Should you be successful in being invited to interview, you will be assessed on your performance in all essential criteria as listed in the Person Specification (except for Experience), alongside scenario-based exercises and strength-based questions. Candidates invited to interview will be given further information. You will be assessed on the following 5 criteria, alongside 2 strength-based questions: + Motivational Fit + Technical Legal Skills + Behaviour - Communicating and Influencing + Behaviour - Managing a Quality Service + Behaviour Making Effective Decisions You will be asked to complete a written exercise on the day of your interview, under timed conditions. You will be asked to give a 5-minute presentation on your answers to the written exercise at the start of your interview. You will then be asked follow up questions. This exercise will assess both Technical Legal Skills and the Communicating and Influencing behaviour. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. Interviews will take place remotely via video conference, full details of the interview format will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview. The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. Offer Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible after the final interview. We appoint in strict order of merit. If you meet the minimum criteria for this position but are not successful for a post, you will be placed on the reserve list for up to 12 months. We then may contact you to see if you are interested in a post at the same, or a lower grade, in GLD should one arise. What to Expect When You Apply 1. You register your interest and submit your application including an online CV. This will be used to assess the Essential Criteria of Experience on slide 6 and will be You will be asked to provide a personal statement with separate subheadings for Motivational Fit (limit of 400 words) and Technical Legal Skills (limit of 850 words) . You should refer closely to the essential criteria on slide 6 for both Motivational Fit and Technical Legal Skills when completing your application, and wherever possible, demonstrate through your examples how your skills match the person specification. It will not be sufficient to reiterate the criteria; you are expected to illustrate how you have met the requirements. Any words over the word count in either Motivational Fit or Technical Legal Skills will be disregarded and not assessed. 2. Candidates who meet the required professional qualification standards will have their applications sifted by a CLG sift panel. Please note detailed feedback will not be given following sift, however sift scores will be made available. 3. If you are invited to interview you will be required to complete a written exercise on the day of your interview, under timed conditions. You will be asked to give a 5-minute presentation on your answers to the written exercise at the start of your interview. You will then be asked follow up questions. This exercise will assess both Technical Legal Skills and the Communicating and Influencing behaviour. 4. You will then be asked a number of questions relating to the remaining essential skills required; Managing a Quality Service, Making Effective Decisions and Motivational Fit, as well as 2 strength-based questions (these help identify the things you do regularly, do well and motivate you). 5. As we have vacancies across all our offices, you will be interviewed remotely by a CLG panel via a Microsoft Teams video conference call. All details will be sent a week before your interview slot to ensure you are fully prepared ahead of schedule. Interviews normally last between 40 and 60 minutes, plus the time taken to complete the written legal exercise prior to the interview. 6. Any candidate applying must have access to video with audio availability. Candidates who may have any issues with this should contact the following email address: govqualified@tmpw.co.uk. We will allocate successful candidates to the most suitable vacancy available at the time of our offer, taking into account performance at interview and experience. We may hold a reserve list if the number of successful candidates after interview exceeds the number of available vacancies. The Civil Service Code The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of you and other civil servants. These are based on the core values which are set out in legislation. As a civil servant, you are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values of: + integrity is putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests + honesty is being truthful and open + objectivity is basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence + impartiality is acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions These core values support good government and ensures the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: + UK nationals + nationals of the Republic of Ireland + nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK + nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) + nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) + individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 + Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Below are the Essential and Desirable criteria, including the Civil Service Success Profile Behaviours, that you will need to demonstrate in your application and/or interview for this role: Motivational Fit and Technical Legal Skills will be assessed at both written application selection and interview stages: Motivational Fit - Essential + Your motivation to join CLG and how you feel you will contribute effectively to such a role with GLD + An understanding of the role of lawyers in government Technical Legal Skills - Essential + Ability to analyse legal commercial problems + A constructive approach to solving problems + Ability to provide legally sound, risk-based advice + Sound commercial legal judgement + Able to draft commercial contracts + Commercial and contract law experience Experience Essential + You will be a lawyer with commercial legal knowledge or experience of advising clients on commercial matters including contract drafting, problem solving and strategic commercial advice. Desirable + It is a desirable but not essential criteria that you have public procurement and/or public law experience. Experience will be tested based on your CV at written application selection stage., Academic and Professional Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in their first degree (in any subject). Where an applicant holds an overseas degree qualification this should be equivalent to a 2.1 degree. GLD will consider applicants who do not have a 2.1 degree but only where satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement can be provided (e.g. via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)). Applicants must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales however, we also accept applications from overseas qualified candidates. You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx., + Communicating and Influencing + Managing a Quality Service + Making Effective DecisionsTechnical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: + You should have a minimum 2.1 degree in any subject. If you do not hold a 2.1 degree, this department may consider your application where you can demonstrate equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement. + Lawyers qualified outside of England and Wales will be required to provide further information. Detailed guidance is given when completing the application.
About the Commercial Law Group (CLG) The Commercial Law Group (CLG) is a department in the Commercial with Trade and International Directorate of GLD. It is a specialist commercial legal service at the heart of government. CLG launched in June 2014 bringing together commercial legal teams from across Government and is a single expert source of commercial legal advice supporting central government departments. There are approximately 230 lawyers in CLG, led by Justinia Lewis, Commercial Law Director, together with two Deputy Law Directors and a Senior Leadership team. The group is divided into teams, each led by one or more commercial law specialist leader Deputy Directors and the teams range in size from 8 to 45 staff. CLG as a whole and each team is supported by a professional and efficient Business Management Team. Our lawyers have a high level of responsibility and work on some of the most consistently challenging, interesting, varied, complex and high-profile commercial work available in the UK. The contracts, transactions and issues that we advise on impact the lives of citizens across the UK. We have been and continue to be at the forefront of supporting Government commercial efforts to meet the challenges faced over the last decade. We work alongside legal teams advising on policy decisions and implementation. CLG is high performing, friendly and welcoming, with a strong and established culture of collaboration and teamwork, excellent KM and specialist training and support. D&I is at the core of how we manage our people and teams. CLG has 8 commercial transactional legal teams providing legal advice to one or more separate government departments. CLG also has a Commercial Litigation and Disputes team, a Commercial Property Hub, a Ministry of Defence Property team and a Knowledge Development team. There is a short description of each CLG team and the Departments we act for at Annex B of this document. Please see the further information on each of our Commercial teams at Annex B, which is attached to the Civil Service Job advert below. Successful candidates can expect to play a key role in delivering for government. One of our senior commercial lawyers had this to say about CLG: Since joining GLD, I have been involved in lots of high profile and important work for various government departments. It is a role that really does deliver on the variety of commercial work and coal face exposure to projects at the forefront of government policy. As a senior lawyer (Grade 6), and the manager of a legal team, I am also able to play a leading role in shaping our commercial legal services for key clients. Along with our business management and knowledge management colleagues, I feel that I am part of a really supportive network of professionals. Outside of legal work, there are loads of initiatives and groups to get involved with where you can develop managerial, leadership and other skills, gain wider experience and contribute to GLDs corporate and cultural objectives. Career Offer Commercial knowledge or experience will be tested at both stages of the recruitment process. Whilst previous experience or knowledge may be relevant to the vacancies, we note that 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. If successful, we will provide support to help you acquire further necessary expertise and we 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.
Alongside your salary of £59,200, Government Legal Department contributes £17,150 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. + Learning and development tailored to your role + An environment with flexible working options + A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity + A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%