Special Counsel for Wales – Law Commission

We are looking for an experienced lawyer to join the Law Commission as Special Counsel for Wales; an exciting new position intended to promote the Law Commission's work in Wales. We are looking for an outstanding candidate to influence our strategy, make an immediate impact and create a legacy for high‑quality law reform in Wales.

This specialist position provides a unique opportunity to strengthen and develop the Law Commission's relationships with key stakeholders in Wales across the Welsh Government, the Senedd and the legal and third sector, and contribute to the development of the law in Wales.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Law Commissioner for the Public Law and Law in Wales Team, as well as the Head of Legal, to provide targeted leadership and support the selection, development and management of law reform projects on devolved law. The Law Commissioner will remain responsible for all projects, with the team lawyer assigned to a project leading day to day work on each project.

The Law Commission

The Law Commission is the statutory body set up under the Law Commissions Act 1965 to keep the law of England and Wales under review and to recommend reform where it is needed. It operates as an independent non‑departmental body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice.

The Commission's aims are:

• To ensure that the law is as fair, modern, simple and as cost‑effective as possible.
• To conduct research and consultations in order to make recommendations for reform for consideration by the Senedd and Parliament.
• To codify the law, eliminate anomalies, repeal obsolete and unnecessary enactments and reduce the number of separate statutes.

From regulating coal tip safety and agricultural law in Wales, to devolved Tribunals and renting homes, we look at important and relevant areas of law that are causing problems for people or businesses and make recommendations for reform where needed.

Much of our work is high‑profile and secures significant interest from Senedd Members, the public and the media. Since our first report relating to the law of Wales on Renting Homes in 2013, the law in Wales team has delivered five law reform projects, all of which have been or are being implemented.

We are now seeking an innovative and strategic thinker, with the ability to forge strong and effective relationships, to help lead our work in Wales. This is a great opportunity for an experienced legal leader who is committed to the development of the law in Wales.

Diversity and Inclusion

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Main responsibilities of the postholder

• The postholder will be expected to work closely with the Law Commissioner and the Team Manager for the Public Law and Law in Wales Team, as well as the Head of Legal, to provide targeted leadership and advice in relation to law reform in Wales.
• During the one‑year term of the post, the postholder will be expected to shape the direction and strategy of the Law Commission's work in Wales in the long‑term. Any extension to the term will be by negotiation and agreement during the term.
• The postholder will be expected to proactively nurture, grow and maintain relationships with important stakeholders in Wales, including members of the Welsh Government and the Senedd, the Judiciary, Office of the Legislative Counsel, academics and practising lawyers, and members of the third sector.
• The postholder will contribute to the selection, development and management of law reform projects dealing with the law in Wales.
• The postholder will work collaboratively with other Team Managers and senior leaders in the organisation, providing advice and expertise in relation to projects affecting the law in Wales, including making contributions to formulating policy in such projects.
• The postholder will also work with the Head of Communications with a view to promoting effective communication across the Commission with Welsh stakeholders.
• The postholder will be line managed by the Head of Team (who reports to the Head of Legal) and subject to direction from the Law Commissioner for the Public Law and Law in Wales Team.
• The postholder will be supported by, and may be required to line manage, a dedicated member of the civil service fast stream.
• The postholder will act as a leader and role model, supporting and encouraging the sharing of knowledge, skills and best practice.

Person – Leadership and Experience

• Leadership – show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
• Communicating and influencing – communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Working together – form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Delivering at pace – take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Understand needs and use evidence, diverse input and sound judgment to reach clear conclusions.

Selection process

You will be assessed against the Civil Service success profiles framework on Experience and Behaviours. The Experience and Behaviours we are seeking in candidates can be found above. Please refer to the Civil Service Success Profiles framework for more details at Grade 6: Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours – GOV.UK.

There will be two stages to the selection process. For the first stage, you will be assessed against the above behaviours. Please also provide a CV and write a statement of suitability (750 words maximum) explaining why you want to work for the Law Commission and the reasons for applying for the role of special counsel for Wales. Please remove references to education institutions, qualifications and personal information in order to comply with the Civil Service's name‑blind commitment.

Applicants who are successful at the first stage will be invited to interview. At the sifting stage you will be assessed on your Experience and Behaviours. If there is a high volume of applicants, candidates will be sifted on the basis of Experience and the lead behaviour of Communicating and Influencing. At the interview stage you will be assessed on your Experience, Behaviours and motivational fit for the role.

Further information on the post and our ways of working

The post is a fixed‑term appointment for 12‑months for an estimated period of 90‑days, at between 0.4 to 0.6 FTE (2‑3 days per week). Any extension in the term will be by negotiation and agreement during the term. As the role is part‑time we do think it can realistically be undertaken as a job share arrangement.

The Law Commission operates flexible working arrangements including a flexi time scheme and the opportunity to work compressed hours, subject to business needs.

Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. This is a National role open to candidates based outside London, although candidates applying outside of London will be expected to attend at the London office on a regular basis in accordance with business needs, for example for critical meetings with the Commissioners. The Law Commission has a Cardiff‑based office (at Churchill House) shared with other Ministry of Justice staff and Arm's Length Bodies.

The postholder will be expected to attend, with other Commission staff, our regular engagements in Wales, for example meetings of the Wales Advisory Committee (which meets twice a year), the Legal Wales Conference, and any ad hoc meetings with the Welsh Government, Senedd officials, and key stakeholders in Wales. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate and will be subject to regular review.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.

If appointed there may be restrictions on your ability to undertake private practice or academic work, to the extent necessary to avoid conflicts of interest and comply with Civil Service rules.

If your application is successful, you will receive a formal letter offering you an appointment that will explain your terms and conditions of service in detail. Your appointment will include a period of probation.

Suitable candidates who are not successful will be held on a reserve list for future posts; such posts may be available in the next 12‑months and offered to suitable candidates on the reserve list.

Security and Nationality

• Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
• People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard 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); 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 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.

Professional and Technical Skills

• You must be a solicitor, barrister or Chartered Legal Executive qualified to practise in England and Wales, or the holder of a degree who can demonstrate a comparable level of legal ability.
• Excellent networking and stakeholder engagement skills and confidence, with the ability to use existing contacts in Wales, and to build new relationships across the Law Commission, the Welsh Government and the legal and third sector community in Wales.
• The ability to bring strategic thinking to promote law reform in Wales, exercising sound judgement and bringing together a wide perspective of views to enable the Law Commission to meet its objectives in Wales.
• Strong and clear communication skills, in order to provide clear, evidenced advice and briefings, both written and oral, on complex policy areas to Law Commissioners, senior stakeholders and, as appropriate, Ministers, and having the advanced writing skills necessary to support the Commission's corporate and reform publications, as and when such contributions are needed.
• Experience at a senior level of one or more of Welsh devolution, the law in Wales and/or public law.
• Highly desirable: experience of participating in existing legal or policy networks in Wales or concerning the law in Wales; fluent Welsh speaker.

Benefits and Compensation

• Grade 6 – salary range £71,381 to £80,419.
• Access to learning and development.
• Working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance.
• Working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Annual leave, public holidays, season ticket advance.

Links and Information

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ.

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window). The role is graded at Grade 6 with a salary range of £71,381 to £80,419. The postholder will be reimbursed for any travel and work expenses incurred in relation to official business.