What Is the Government Legal Profession and How It Supports the UK Civil Service
Ever wondered who ensures the government follows the law while creating policies or implementing change? Meet the Government Legal Profession (GLP) — the legal powerhouse behind the UK government and Civil Service.
While most people are familiar with lawyers in courts or corporate offices, there’s a vast team of legal experts working quietly behind the scenes of the government. In this blog post, we’ll uncover what the Government Legal Profession is, how it supports the UK Civil Service, and why it plays such a crucial role in keeping our democracy running fairly and efficiently.
What Is the Government Legal Profession (GLP)?
The Government Legal Profession (GLP) is a network of lawyers who provide legal advice to over 50 government departments and agencies. They ensure that the laws passed by Parliament are correctly interpreted and followed. In other words, they help turn policy into lawful action.
Think of them as the legal compass pointing civil servants and decision-makers in the right direction — legally speaking. They act as expert advisors, litigators, and legal policymakers, supporting the UK Civil Service from the ground up.
Key Facts About the GLP:
- Over 2,000 lawyers work within the GLP.
- They work in departments such as the Home Office, HM Treasury, Department for Education, and more.
- Their work spans across a wide variety of legal fields — including constitutional law, criminal justice, trade, international law, and human rights.
How the Government Legal Profession Supports the Civil Service
So, how do these lawyers actually support the UK Civil Service in day-to-day operations? Here’s a breakdown of the major ways the GLP helps:
1. Giving Legal Advice Before Action
One of the GLP’s most important roles is to make sure that any action the government wants to take is within the law. Before any big policy decision is made, lawyers are consulted to check if it’s legally sound.
Example: When the government wants to introduce new environmental regulations, GLP lawyers review how those rules line up with existing laws, including international agreements and environmental statutes. They’ll highlight risks, alternatives, and ensure everything is water-tight, legally speaking.
2. Drafting Laws and Legal Documents
Ever tried reading a piece of legislation? It’s not exactly like reading a novel. That’s where the expertise of government lawyers comes in. They work with drafters to help write clear, enforceable laws.
The GLP ensures that new laws reflect what ministers and policymakers intend and are consistent with legal principles and frameworks.
3. Representing the Government in Courts
The GLP isn’t just about advice and paperwork. When legal challenges arise, especially when government decisions are taken to court, these lawyers represent the government’s side in court.
Example: If someone sues the Home Office over an immigration decision, it’s often a government lawyer from the GLP who will go to court, defend the government’s case, and explain the legal reasoning behind the decision.
4. Supporting Policymaking
Law and policy go hand-in-hand. Every new policy idea needs to be examined through a legal lens. The GLP guides politicians and policymakers through the legal impacts of their ideas and actions.
It helps avoid future problems and ensures that well-intentioned ideas are practical and lawful.
5. Promoting Rule of Law and Good Governance
A strong democracy relies on officials following the law—and the GLP helps make that happen. Their presence encourages accountability, transparency, and fairness across government processes.
They protect the public interest by ensuring that even when political winds change, the government still acts lawfully.
Who Can Work in the Government Legal Profession?
You might be wondering, “How do I become one of these lawyers?” That’s a great question.
GLP lawyers are qualified solicitors or barristers. They join from a variety of backgrounds and legal practices and often bring a wealth of experience from both public and private sectors. The UK government also runs dedicated training schemes for trainee solicitors or pupil barristers who want to work in government law—a fantastic route in!
Qualities GLP Lawyers Must Have:
- Strong analytical skills – to break down large amounts of legal information easily.
- Clear communication – to explain legal advice in plain English.
- Judgment and integrity – to advise fearlessly, especially when legal issues are complex or politically sensitive.
- Teamwork – as civil service lawyers often work closely across departments and with multidisciplinary teams.
If you enjoy solving problems, care about justice, and want to serve the public, this could be a rewarding path for you.
Real-Life Impact: Why It Matters
Lawyers in the GLP don’t just sit at desks reading books all day. Their advice and actions shape real policies that affect people’s lives.
For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, GLP lawyers worked at lightning speed to draft emergency legislation, advise ministers on lockdown powers, and make sure people’s rights were still respected even under extraordinary circumstances. Behind every government decision — there’s likely a legal expert making it safe, sound, and lawful.
This is about more than rules — it’s about helping society function fairly and responsibly.
Why the Government Legal Profession Is Unique
You might look at law firms in the City and wonder, “What makes working in the GLP different?”
- Public Service Purpose: GLP lawyers work to improve the lives of citizens, not to maximize profit for clients.
- Wide Variety of Work: The legal issues range from the everyday to the extraordinary. No two days look exactly the same.
- Access to Influential Policy: GLP lawyers help shape decisions that affect the whole country — from climate change laws to national security frameworks.
- Strong Ethical Framework: Everything is centered around the public good, transparency, and proper process.
What It’s Like to Work With the GLP
The culture within the Government Legal Profession is a mix of professionalism and collaboration. There’s a strong sense of mission. You’re not just doing a job — you’re contributing to something much bigger.
People who work in the GLP often say they’re surrounded by curious, driven colleagues and face new, engaging challenges every day. It’s fast-paced at times, but deeply rewarding for those who care about fairness and justice.
Flexible Career Paths:
You can move between departments, take on secondments (temporary work placements) in courts or charities, and even work abroad on international legal issues. There’s a lot of room to grow your legal skills.
In Summary: Why the Government Legal Profession Matters
The Government Legal Profession is the legal backbone of the UK government and Civil Service. These unsung heroes keep policies lawful, protect public interests, and uphold fairness and justice every day.
Without them, the Civil Service would be at risk of acting outside the law — and that could undermine trust in democracy. Thankfully, with the GLP alongside them, the UK government can operate confidently and legally.
Whether you’re a citizen curious about how things work, a law student exploring your options, or someone just looking to understand the machinery behind government, the GLP offers insight into how law can power positive change.
Want to Learn More?
Curious about opportunities or looking for more in-depth details? Visit the official UK government page about the GLP here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-government-legal-service