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GLS Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Academic
You must have a minimum of a 2:1 degree (in any subject). In exceptional circumstances some departments (check vacancy notice) may consider applicants with a lower degree classification or a recognised professional qualification, where the applicant can demonstrate equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement.

Professional Qualifications
You must be (or about to become) qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. You must have completed a training contract/pupillage, or have been exempted from this by the Law Society or the Bar Council. Applicants qualified in a jurisdiction outside England and Wales will be required to complete the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test.

Nationality
The GLS is part of the wider Civil Service and therefore the Civil Service nationality rules apply. Full guidance on the requirements can be found here.

If a post is described as ‘reserved’, then only UK nationals will be eligible to be able to apply.

Applications can be accepted from nationals from:

- the United Kingdom,
- the Republic of Ireland
- the Commonwealth and British Protected Persons.
- the European Economic Area (EEA) & Switzerland. Please note that there may be some conditions/restrictions on the entitlement of nationals of those member states who acceded to the EU in 2004 and 2007. Nationals of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia nationals may be affected by the Worker Registration Scheme; Romanian and Bulgarian nationals by the Workers Authorisation Scheme.
- Turkish nationals who meet certain conditions detailed in the Civil Service nationality guidance,
- Certain family members of EEA, Swiss and Turkish nationals who are not themselves EEA
- Individuals with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements of these rules in relation to one of their nationalities.

Those who meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements will need to have a legal entitlement to live and work in the UK.

When applying, you will be asked about your nationality at birth, whether you are subject to immigration control, and whether there are any restrictions on your continued residence or employment in the UK.

Detailed documents checks will be undertaken prior to any appointments being confirmed.