www.communities.gov.uk

What's it like working as a lawyer in the Department?

How our work differs from private practice

Our Legal Directorate includes about 60 solicitors and barristers who advise Ministers and administrators on legal issues arising from the Department's policy.

Our work is unlike anything you will find in private practice. Whatever the issue - from intervening in a failing local authority to reviewing equalities legislation or setting up a new regeneration scheme - our lawyers are there to advise. The work covers many aspects of public law including human rights, devolution, freedom of information, European law and international environmental law.

We are heavily involved in implementing the government's policy through drafting statutory instruments and working on Bills as they go through Parliament and into law. We also advise on litigation cases against the Department, including judicial review, although we instruct the Treasury Solicitor's Department to conduct the litigation on our behalf.

The Directorate's lawyers are organised into seven divisions:

  • Constitutional and European
  • Employment and commercial (including the Specialist Drafting Branch)
  • Housing and land
  • Regeneration
  • Local government
  • Discrimination
  • Planning

Each division is headed by a Deputy Director and has between 5 and 11 lawyers. The directorate is assisted in its work by the Legal Support Services Unit.

Strong and prosperous communities

White paper setting out our vision to revitalise local authorities and reshape public services.

Have your say

My favourites