Information Lawyer, MOJLA x 2

Job summary

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfill our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the government’s priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 4000 people, including nearly 3000 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join 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 you can view our introductory film. On our website you can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Job description

About the Ministry of Justice Legal Advisers

Ministry of Justice Legal Advisers (MOJLA) provides legal advice and legal services to the Ministry of Justice and the Lord Chancellor, on all aspects of the justice system.

The Division includes 5 advisory teams including the Criminal Law, Victims and Sentencing team, the Human Rights, Private International Law and Legal Services team (HRPILLS), the Civil, Family and Courts and Tribunals team, the Offender Management team, and the Judicial, Coroners and Access to Justice team agency. MOJLA is an exciting and supportive environment, enabling the team to develop and thrive, providing advice on fascinating areas of law, drafting secondary legislation, working on Bills, and defending challenges in JR litigation.

The HRPILLS team is a small and friendly team consisting of 4 x G6 lawyers and 6 x G7 lawyers. We advise on a wide variety of work, often with an international flavour. This role would be working with 1x G6 lawyer and 1x G7 lawyer in the HRPILLS information law mini team, who provide advice on information law issues to the wider department.

Career Offer

For some roles, travel may be required. If you join us with less than three years of post-qualification experience (PQE), your starting salary will be £51,541.00 per annum. This will increase to £63,189 (Croydon/London) or £61,124 (National) per annum once you have successfully completed your probation period and either reach three years of PQE or complete one year of service, whichever comes first.

While previous experience or knowledge may be relevant to some vacancies, 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. We will provide support to help you acquire the necessary expertise and 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 year’s 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.

The Role

We are looking for a motivated and skilled Information Lawyer to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to work on high-profile issues involving data protection, privacy, and freedom of information. You will provide clear, practical legal advice to support compliance and help shape policy in a fast-moving environment.

The role will involve providing expert and cross cutting information law advice to MOJ, its operational bodies (including His Majesty’s Court Service and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service) and its Arm’s Length Bodies. The successful candidate will be expected to be able to advise across the department on all aspects of information law including:

• Provide legal advice on data protection, privacy, and information law, including UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Advise on Freedom of Information Act requests and related disclosure issues.
• Draft and review data sharing agreements, data processing contracts, and related documentation.
• Support colleagues on information governance, records management, and retention policies.
• Work with internal teams and external stakeholders to manage legal risk and ensure compliance.
• Keep up to date with developments in information law, including legal and governance implications of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automated decision-making.

Person specification

Behaviours

Below are details of the Success Profiles that make up this role. Demonstrating all the behaviours listed below is essential at either application or interview. You can read more about Success Profiles and how they are used as an assessment method before completing your application.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at pace
• Communicating and influencing
• Making effective decisions

Key Skills & Experience

Essential - must be demonstrated at application and/or interview

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or legal executive (or equivalent experience).
• Experience of practising and competency in information law.
• Knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
• Ability to interpret complex legislation and provide clear, practical advice.
• Strong drafting skills and ability to communicate in plain English.
• Excellent org