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Home > About the GLS > GLS Departments > DWP/H Department for Work & Pensions / Health The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the Government’s welfare reform agenda. Its aim is to promote opportunity and independence for all. It delivers support and advice through a modern network of services to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people. The Department of Health’s role is to improve the health and well-being of the population of England. The Department provides strategic leadership to the NHS and social care organisations in England. In addition, it is responsible for certain health issues for the entire UK, such as regulation of the medical profession. Work of the Legal Team Lawyers in DWP and DH are involved in some of the most difficult, controversial and high-profile issues that Government faces, to do with the well-being and financial security of the community. The work is demanding and stimulating. DWP lawyers deal with the ever-changing demands of a modern welfare system and the labour market, as well as the challenges of child support and the regulation of the occupational pensions industry. DH lawyers are involved in implementing reforms to the NHS, the regulation of the medical profession and the provision of social care. They also grapple with the legal and ethical complexities of wide-ranging matters such as human fertilisation and mental health. Legislation
And Drafting Departmental lawyers prepare instructions for Parliamentary Counsel and follow each Bill as it progresses through both Parliament, attending debates and working closely with Ministers and officials. We draft nearly all the secondary legislation made by the Departments, and are involved in negotiating and giving effect to EC legislation. We also have a specialist team which deals with the Departments' commercial contracts. Litigation
And Advocacy We are one of the largest prosecuting bodies in the country, prosecuting cases of benefit fraud and NHS fraud. The cases often have an international element. We also prosecute cases under medicines and medical devices legislation and for the Foods Standards Agency. We have a team of lawyers who argue difficult points of law before the Social Security and Child Support Commissioners. Lawyers at all levels are given full responsibility for their own work. We are committed to training and have both IIP and Lexcel accreditation. There are opportunities for lawyers to move around the office, often between the two Departments, to allow them to develop their legal skills and knowledge. Benefits & Rewards See the Benefits and Rewards section of the GLS website. Legal Trainee & Pupillage Opportunities Legal Trainees and Pupil Barristers are recruited through the GLS Legal Trainee Scheme. In the 2007 competition we recruited 12 trainee solicitors to commence in 2009. DWP also occasionally runs an internal recruitment scheme open to existing civil servants in DWP and DH. Qualified Lawyer Vacancies Vacancies for posts in the Department are advertised through the central GLS scheme. Vacancies are posted on the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway. Location There are about 180 lawyers in the two Departments. Most are based in Carey Street just behind the Royal Courts of Justice in London, but we also have teams in Wembley, Sutton, Bootle, Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff. Further Information For further information: Visit: http://www.dwp.gov.uk and http://www.dh.gov.uk Or contact: Bronwen Trudinger |
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