Legal adviser to the Chancellor of the High Court



Salary £63,343 - £70,725

Number of jobs available 1

Detail of reserve list 12 months

Region London

City/ town London

Building/ site London CTS Royal Courts of Justice, WC2A 2LL

Grade Grade 7

Organisation Grade for MoJ Grade 7

Post type Fixed-term (24 months)

Working pattern Full time

Role type Legal services, Policy



Job description - overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a lawyer to work directly with the Chancellor of the High Court and other members of the senior judiciary.

The Chancellor, the fifth most senior judge in England and Wales, presides over the Chancery Division of the High Court. He also holds day-to-day responsibility for the operation of the specialist Business and Property Courts, in consultation with the President of the King’s Bench Division. The Business and Property Courts underpin the UK’s position as a global leader in legal, financial, and insurance services. The Chancellor presides in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) and sits at first instance in the Business and Property Courts.

As the Chancellor’s lawyer, you will advise him on the exercise of his statutory powers and those delegated by the Lady Chief Justice. You will advise on the development of policy, rules and procedure; identify and advise on legal risks that may emerge from the development of civil justice policy and court reform; and assist with the preparation of lectures, speeches and articles on both legal and policy matters.

This is a high-profile role for a lawyer and offers the opportunity to become a recognised and respected voice at the heart of the justice system. You will need to be confident in advising all of the senior judges with responsibility for civil justice, including the Master of the Rolls, the Deputy Head of Civil Justice and the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division).

You will have a large degree of autonomy in undertaking your work and will need to be able to work independently to provide high quality legal, strategic and policy advice.

You will also need to be able to form strong working relationships with members of the judiciary (at all levels), with the lawyers in other senior judges’ private offices, and with a wide range of key officials across the civil justice system.

There may be opportunities for travel, both within the UK and internationally, supporting and participating in judicial engagements such as conferences and court visits.

You will be an essential member of the Chancellor’s busy private office team. You will work closely with his Private Secretary to support the Chancellor in fulfilling his varied responsibilities. Part of the enjoyment and challenge of working within a private office is that work can be fast paced and unpredictable, particularly during the judicial termtime. The Chancellor’s private office is a small and friendly team, with a sociable outlook, that enjoys supporting each other.



Qualifications and experience

The successful applicant must be qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales and hold a valid practising certificate (if required) or be able to obtain one.



Selection criteria

Technical legal skills

The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence of:

Knowledge or experience of areas of Chancery work is desirable but not essential.



Behaviours

During the application process you will also be asked to provide examples of how you have met the following behaviours:

Should we receive a large number of applications we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of communicating and influencing. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview. The above technical skills and behaviours will be tested at the interview.



Candidates invited to interview will also be required to do a short presentation or scenario test.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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