Parliamentary Counsel

Details
Reference number
382845
Salary
£+8,000
An additional Parliamentary Counsel Allowance is also payable. Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in line with the normal Civil Service pay rules.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.+7%
Job grade
SCS Pay Band 2
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
CO - Government in Parliament
Type of role
Legal Services
Senior leadership
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share
Number of jobs available
2
Contents

Location

About the job

Benefits

Things you need to know

Apply and further information

Location

London
About the job

Job summary
The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is a team within the civil service of 50 lawyers and 8 support staff. We draft Government Bills for introduction into Parliament and handle related Parliamentary business.

Our task is to deliver the legislative priorities of the Government as a whole. Accordingly, we are part of the Cabinet Office, at the very centre of Government. Our drafting projects are often complex, novel, politically sensitive and fast-moving. The work is stretching and at times demanding, but it offers a unique insight into the process of turning policy into law. We are committed to producing clear and effective legislation to the highest possible standards. We lead the legislative drafting profession within Government and work to promote high standards of drafting and awareness of the principles underpinning good law.

Job description
Parliamentary Counsel (Director) (2 roles).

A PC(D) is responsible for drafting and handling bills of all kinds. They report to a team leader, and play a visible and effective leadership role on drafting projects, in their team and in the wider office. They are an expert drafter who plays an important leadership role in the achievement of OPC’s objectives. These are:

To ensure the highest standard, in terms of both quality and timeliness, in the drafting and procedural handling of the Government’s legislative programme;
To provide the best possible service to OPC’s customers in connection with the other matters on which the OPC’s advice and assistance are sought (in particular, the vetting and drafting of subordinate legislation); and
To keep improving the quality of the bills OPC produces and the other services it provides, and to ensure OPC continues to have the necessary capacity and capability to provide high quality legislation and services.
For more information about the roles, please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.

Person specification
It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you provide evidence of the following Essential Criteria:

First rate legislative drafting skills, including making use of a range of drafting approaches and being prepared to innovate where appropriate, producing drafts at pace that are not only effective but that are expressed in a clear and intelligible way;
An excellent general legal knowledge (including a good knowledge of administrative and public law), and a good understanding of Parliamentary procedure;
An ability to acquire specialist knowledge (including in the most complex areas), and to provide succinct, clear, risk-based advice, including when working under significant pressure;
An ability to lead, engage and contribute to the development of colleagues within the organisation;
An ability to work collaboratively to promote high standards of drafting and improved ways of working;
Excellent judgement on both technical points and wider handling matters;
The credibility to inspire confidence in Ministers and senior stakeholders;
The ability to contribute to the leadership of the organisation and its ability to continue to deliver its strategic objectives.
Qualifications
Applicants must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales however, we also accept applications from overseas qualified candidates. You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx.

Professional entry criteria for Chartered Legal Executives (i.e. Fellows): Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where (i) a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is held; or (ii) the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE has been completed; or (iii) where exams have been passed (i.e. a score of 50% or above achieved), at CILEx Level 6*, in all of the following seven foundation subjects in law:

1. Contract Law
2. Criminal Law
3. Equity and Trusts Law
4. European Union Law
5. Land Law
6. Public Law
7. Law of Tort