Overview
Since many legal issues are complex and need direct discussion with a legal team, DfT legal advisers are our reliable in-house team of lawyers who are here to provide legal advice and support to DfT, its agencies and ministers. They provide risk-based advice on everything from commercial matters to policy development, primary and secondary legislation, and litigation.
The Department for Transport (DfT) Legal Advisers’ division (DfTLA) looks after almost all of DfT’s legal needs across the four transport modes – aviation, maritime, roads and rail. This division is made up of ten Deputy Director-led teams, and undertakes a wide variety of commercial and public law work.
Do you have law experience or evidence of potential to acquire these skills? This is your opportunity to join a diverse environment and begin career-defining, public-serving and nation-changing work. Join us during a new era of UK transport and take part in legal work that really makes a difference.
What you could be doing
Few areas of legal practice offer more variety and intellectual challenge than the work of government lawyers. Within the DfT Law profession, you’ll provide our executive agencies with immediate access to straightforward legal information on a broad range of legal issues in government. For example, you may be working on legislation, or responding to a Freedom of Information Act request; you may be asked to give evidence in a court case, or to work on a consultation.
The work is varied, challenging and fast-paced. You’ll be working closely with clients, as well as with external legal advisers on major transactions, and expected to demonstrate strong personal legal and strategic analysis, judgement and pro-activity.
You could be involved in:
- assisting policy development
- enforcing regulation
- administering the justice system
- protecting the public by prosecuting crime
- Submissions
- Ministerial briefings
- PQs (Parliamentary Questions)
- Bill work
- SIs (Statutory Instruments)
- Parliamentary debates
- guidance documents
- formal publications
- consultation documents
- comms / media lines and Q&A
- project board or steering group papers for major projects.
What our Legal professionals say about working for DfT
Charmaine Perks, Legal, VCA
“I have felt very welcome at VCA and quickly formed friendships and support networks. As a smaller agency I can usually find an answer or resource with ease because if they aren’t at my fingertips I just walk through the offices and ask as everyone is willing to help…”
Does the Law Profession sound like the opportunity you have been waiting for? Visit Working for the Department for Transport to see what vacancies we currently have available. We look forward to welcoming you on board.