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Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG)

The work of the Department for Communities and Local Government is at the heart of the Coalition Government’s Big Society and Localsim agendas, aimed at giving new powers to councils, communities and individuals. The Department sets policy on supporting local government; communities and neighbourhoods; regeneration and economic growth; social and private sector housing; planning, building regulation; fire control and resilience.

Work of the Legal Team

The Legal Directorate is central to the Department’s operations and helps Ministers and policy colleagues apply the law and manage legal risk; and to make new law so as best to achieve the Department's objectives. DCLG Lawyers advise on legal issues arising from the Department’s policies, and are heavily involved in developing and implementing those policies through Acts of Parliament, secondary legislation and guidance. They also defend the Department’s position in contentious matters, and advise on operational issues, communications with Parliament and the wider public, and in policy discussions with other Departments.

The work is fascinating and challenging and unlike anything which can be found in private practice. Whatever the issue, be it be it making buildings more energy efficient, improving the quality of housing, building communities that are resilient to violent extremism, or helping the planning system to support sustainable development, DCLG lawyers’ role is crucial. The work covers many aspects of public law including human rights, devolution, freedom of information, European Union law and international environmental law.

The Directorate’s lawyers are organised into four divisions;

• Planning, Fire Control and Resilience
• Decentralisation and Local Government
• Regeneration, Commercial and Employment
• Housing, Building and Land

Recent examples of CLG’s work include:

• The Localism Bill, which includes provisions on decentralisation; community empowerment; reform of the planning system; reform of social housing tenure, allocation, finance and regulation; and regeneration in London;

• The regeneration aspects of the 2012 London Olympic Games; and

• Development of the new National Planning Policy Framework, to consolidate, simplify and make the planning system more responsive to local needs.

Vacancies

Qualified lawyer vacancies for posts in this department are advertised through the central GLS scheme. All vacancies are posted on the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway (this link will open in a new window).

Trainee Solicitors and Pupil Barristers are recruited through the GLS Legal Trainee Scheme.

Further Information

Read about what it’s like working as a lawyer in CLG.

You can also visit the Department’s website: www.communities.gov.uk.