Graduate Profiles

Hugh Mawby
Eleanor Hourigan
Giles Seal
Jane Carmichael
Rosie Sarrington
Matthew Heydon

Home > Graduate Recruitment > Life as a GLS Trainee > Giles Seal

Giles Seal

Department for Transport

"I wanted to train somewhere where the public interest, not profit, was the aim. At the time I was studying for a masters in human rights law, and I wanted to work in a place where I could apply my knowledge of international law and the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights. I was also looking for a wide variety of work and I had heard that the training in the GLS was excellent.

I had always heard of civil servants wearing pin-stripe suits, bowler hats, umbrellas, and working 9-5, but lawyers are a diverse array of people and I found my colleagues and clients friendly and supportive. Even the more senior lawyers are surprisingly approachable and lunchtimes are always sociable!

My first training seat was in the Employment and Corporate Services Division. This involved offering advice on employment related issues and providing guidance on compliance with the Data Protection Act and on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. It also gave an unusual opportunity to travel to another part of the country to meet with a DfT Agency on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, which is having a substantial impact on the way Government works.

My second training seat is in Aviation and Commercial Co-ordination. A large part of my work has been on the legal challenges to the 2003 White Paper, The Future of Air Transport, which provides a strategic framework for the development of air travel over the next 30 years.

If you thrive on intellectual challenge, this is a great place to work.

Not surprisingly, it has attracted significant media attention because of concerns about airport expansion on the environment and on noise pollution. Working on something in the national news has been exciting and demanding. The level of responsibility for a trainee has been higher than I expected: as well as taking notes, I have already been given an opportunity to chair a meeting!

Training is a high priority. I have been impressed by the in-house courses the Department offers, as well as those run by the GLS. The supervision has been excellent and help is always there when you need it. Although the hours can be quite intensive at times, they are never too long, and the work is always rewarding. The weekends are always free so my social life hasn’t suffered and we get a very generous holiday allowance, which we are encouraged to take.

What would I say to anyone thinking of joining the GLS? If you thrive on intellectual challenge, on subjects often in the public eye and working to tight deadlines, this is a great place to work."