Government Legal Profession

Creating new legislation.

Providing legal advice to government ministers.

Representing the government in the highest courts in the land.

The work of government lawyers and legal trainees is challenging, unique and often headline news.

Whether the government is creating new laws, buying goods and services, investigating mergers which could restrict competition, setting the annual budget and collecting the right amount of tax, employing people, fighting organised crime or defending its decisions in court, it needs significant levels of legal advice on a whole range of complex issues. To carry out this work, the government needs its own lawyers, who understand its business, to provide legal services to a wide client base - including a range of central government departments and other government bodies.

The government is our sole client and everything a government does affects society in one way or another. Whether it is developing policy; creating new legislation; entering into contracts; enforcing regulation; or protecting the public by prosecuting fraud, the government needs lawyers who understand its business. It’s a terrific responsibility.

The Government Legal Profession (GLP) Legal Trainee Scheme offers you the chance to start your legal career with a legal trainee position (training contract/qualifying work experience) in either the Government Legal Department (GLD), including GLD’s Commercial Group, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the National Crime Agency (NCA) or the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The training we offer will commence in September 2026 and September 2027. Whilst many of the trainee positions are based in London, HMRC is also offering opportunities in Bristol and Manchester and GLD is also offering opportunities in Bristol, Leeds and Manchester. Offers will be made according to each location in merit order.