Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Leeds, London About the job Job summary 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 or pupillage) in either the Government Legal Department (GLD), or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Solicitors Office. Job description Whether the government is buying goods and services, setting the annual budget and collecting the right amount of tax, employing people, or defending its decisions in court, it needs significant levels of legal advice on a whole range of complex issues. The training on offer will commence in September 2026. Whilst many of the trainee positions are based in London, including all HMRC positions, GLD is also offering opportunities in Leeds too. Offers will be made according to each location in merit order. The training period will be for 2 years in duration. No account will be taken of training completed elsewhere. Whether joining GLD or HMRC you can expect to be fully involved in a range of interesting legal work and receive high quality training in a supportive and inclusive working environment. You will have the opportunity to build a rewarding career, working on some of the biggest legal issues of the day. The work is cutting edge, public-serving, and often headline news. If that wasnt enough, you may have the opportunity to make the law, not just interpret it. Person specification Pupil barristers will divide their pupillage year between their department and a set of chambers and complete their second year of the two-year training period in the department. The GLP otherwise treats trainee solicitors and pupil barristers (collectively called legal trainees) the same. Work and on-the-job training depends upon the department in which you are placed. What do you need? As youd expect, there are some must haves. Full details can be found on our website, the minimum being that you must meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements and have obtained, or be predicted to obtain, a minimum of a 2:2 (Hons) in a qualifying law degree or undergraduate degree in a non-law subject; or hold equivalent qualifications (e.g. CILEx) as recognised by the professional bodies. Youll need to have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE (law conversion which covers the foundation topics in law) where a degree is held in a non-law subject); and the Bar Training Course (BTC) before the start of pupillage. Please note that should you be successful you will be expected to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance. Some departments may require additional checks. Benefits Alongside your salary of £33,281, Government Legal Department contributes £9,641 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27% Things you need to know Selection process details We recommend that you take some time navigating our careers site; we want you to be as prepared as possible for your application journey. Youll also find more information regarding our eligibility criteria, selection process, sponsorship arrangements and where your career path can take you. please visit: Government Legal Profession - GOV.UK And a reminder the opening date for applications is 2nd January 2025 and the closing date for applications is Noon 30th January 2025. Please note this date is earlier than that listed on the Pupillage Gateway. To apply for a role, please use the link which can be found on the GLP website: Legal trainee scheme - GOV.UK Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : GLD Recruitment Team Email : GovTraineestmpw.co.uk Telephone : 0845 3000 793 or 0117 923 4417 Recruitment team Email : GovTraineestmpw.co.uk Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail