Energy Chartered Legal Executive

Energy Lawyers and Legal Officers

Government Legal Department

Locations: London, Leeds, Bristol or Manchester

Salary for Lawyers: £61,200 (London)  or £59,200 (National)

Salary for Legal Officers: £47,541

Support the Government’s work by providing high quality energy advice

Who we are

At the Government Legal Department (GLD), we’re responsible for providing legal guidance on issues that really matter. As the largest provider of legal services to the Government, we offer support on issues ranging from human rights to social care, and from education to the environment. Working with every key department in Whitehall, nearly 3,000 team members collaborate to handle issues that impact on every aspect of society.

Whether developing and drafting legislation, providing guidance on policies, driving value from contracts or bolstering economic and trade relationships with national and international partners, this is deeply meaningful work that other employers simply cannot match. Because where else would you have the opportunity to advise on policies and services that directly affect the wellbeing of the population? Join us, and you’ll enjoy all the support you need to deliver the best possible results for people from every walk of life.

The roles

We’re currently looking for Lawyers and Legal Officers to join our Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Legal Division and advise the Department for ESNZ and a number of its partner organisations. Our work focuses on the UK’s ambitious and innovative energy portfolio, with work spanning policies on decarbonisation technologies, nuclear power, clean energy and heat, energy efficiency, combatting fuel poverty, energy security, energy networks, infrastructure, planning, international energy commitments, climate change and net zero obligations. Your work will be fast paced and high profile, and involve ensuring that the legal implications of policy have been thought through. Working closely with Policy Leads and Parliamentary Counsel, and advising Ministers as a Bill passes through Parliament, you’ll also draft secondary legislation and provide advisory support in the event of any legal challenges.

Committed to producing fit for purpose, risk based advice, and ready to respond creatively to real world events, you’ll also support the Government in being accountable for its role in this important area of policy.

About you

To be a success in one of these roles you should possess a well developed knowledge of public law, reliable legal judgement and an appreciation of legal risk. A creative, analytical and strategic thinker, you’ll have a good understanding of the role of lawyers in Government, and any experience of energy law would be a plus. A qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales, you’ll havecompleted a training contract, pupillage or qualifying employment, or been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx. You’ll also need a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in any subject in your first degree (or its overseas equivalent), or evidence of high-level academic or professional achievement, such as a Graduate Diploma in Law, Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course, any of which must be underpinned by practical experience.  

Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where a qualifying law degree is held or the Graduate Diploma in Law has been completed, or where CILEx Level 6 exams have been passed at 50% or above in Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts Law, European Union Law, Land Law, Public Law and the Law of Tort.

In return, we can offer you a competitive benefits package that includes a generous contributory pension scheme, 25 days of annual leave rising to 30 after 5 years’ service (plus 8 public holidays) and a range of extras such as parental leave, season ticket and bicycle loans. With flexible working arrangements so that you can seamlessly blend your career and lifestyle, you will find much to enjoy at the Government Legal Department.

For more information

If you would like to discuss one of these roles in more detail, please contact our recruitment team at

We’ll be holding a candidate information session on Microsoft Teams from 4.30-5.30pm on 3rd June 2024 where you’ll have the opportunity to hear from lawyers working in ESNZ Legal about what they do and their experiences of working in Government. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the roles and the process.

Please confirm attendance by accepting the invite. Feel free to join the session using the link below: LINK