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UK government legal jobs in London
UK government legal jobs:
Australian and New Zealand nationals
If you are an Australian or New Zealand national looking for a UK government legal job in London, we are the recruitment business to speak to. With similar legal systems and no language barriers, the UK is a natural fit for Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyers wishing to work abroad.
As a preferred legal recruitment partner to the UK government, we have access to a continuous stream of high-quality private, public and advisory legal jobs across the UK. Each year, we place Commonwealth-qualified lawyers into more than 100 locum government legal positions across key departments and public bodies.
Our legal recruitment service for Australians and New Zealanders is completely free of charge for candidates, and our Consultants are on hand to offer advice and support when making the decision to travel and work overseas. Please make contact if:
- You have already secured the right to work in the UK and have booked your journey to the country.
- You are considering working in the UK with a working holiday visa in the future and are researching legal jobs available to you.
No matter what stage of the process you are at, our legal recruitment experts can help you with all the preparation required to secure a high-quality legal job that will give you the best possible experience for your future career.
Our UK government legal jobs
We have supported the government in placing Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyers in a wide range of legal jobs in London, including:
- Private law, including unlawful detention claims
- Public law, including human rights law
- Advisory legal roles, including advising on policy and parliamentary bill work
- Litigation, including employment and immigration
- Public inquiry work
Please note: typically, government lawyers are paid £61,200 per annum in London but this can vary dependent on the organisation.
Contact us about your next UK government legal job
If you're an Australian or New Zealand qualified lawyer considering a move to the UK, our expert legal recruitment team is here to help. We work closely with key UK Government departments and regularly recruit for legal roles in London that are ideal for international professionals like you.
Speak to us today for a conversation around your requirements and the London legal jobs we have available to you.
Call us on 0203 997 9255 or email us at ausnz@sellickpartnership.co.uk and we will arrange a conversation at a convenient time for you.
The more you refer, the bigger the reward!
We really appreciate it when people go out of their way to recommend candidates to us. Our Referral Ladder will reward multiple referrals. If you refer more than one candidate to us within a twelve month period we will increase your reward accordingly - up to a max of £300.
Terms & Conditions apply, visit our dedicated recommend a friend page to find out more.
First referral
For your first referral you will receive a £100 voucher.
Second referral
For your second referral you will receive a £150 voucher.
Third referral
For your third referral you will receive a £200 voucher.
Up to £300
Earn up to £300 from referring a friend to us.
Meet our experienced legal recruitment team
Testimonials from our candidates
Mark was a wonderful recruiter to work with. He’s diligence, communication and professionalism throughout the entire recruitment process was nothing short of incredible. He prepped me extremely well for interview to ensure I was well equipped to understand the civil service framework, which set me in good stead to enable me to land a job in a new jurisdiction, having moved to the UK from Australia only a few months back. What stood out to me most which sets Mark apart from other recruiters is that, even after landing the job, he was in touch frequently to field any questions I had with the onboarding process and to ensure I was enjoying the work within my new role. It has been refreshing to engage with a true professional who demonstrates care and empathy to his candidates. I’ve already referred him to colleagues as I know how helpful he was to me!
Mark exceeded all my expectations in my job search. As a New Zealand qualified lawyer making the move to the UK Mark is the person you want on your side - within ten days of my arrival in London he had secured me a great role. Mark is extremely knowledgeable, personable and generous with his time and advice. He truly went above and beyond for me, making sure that I had everything I needed to succeed at work and in setting up my new UK life. I could not recommend Mark more if you are looking to make a career move. Thanks again Mark for all you have done for me!
Mark has been fantastic in helping me not only find my first job during my move to London from New Zealand, but also has helped me in making a career move to another agency within the Government. I have found that Mark has been proactive, professional and hard working in his approach, with a real focus on finding the right opportunity based on your skills and experience rather than the first available role. I really appreciate all his efforts and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to find a legal role in the public sector.
Mark set me up in my first legal role in mid 2023 after I returned from 11 years in Australia and New Zealand. He provided a personalised service at every stage suggesting potential legal roles within the UK government and then providing in-depth coaching to help me prepare for interviews. When I got the role he checked in regularly and was always available when I had any queries/concerns. Would highly recommend for his professionalism, attention to detail and client focused approach.
Mark is a fantastic and professional recruiter who helped me find a fantastic role when I made the move across to London from Australia. He regularly kept in touch with me and my prospective employer to make sure everything was progressing smoothly. This open and honest communication was much appreciated. I’d highly recommend working with Mark.
Mark has been extremely diligent and cooperative in helping me secure a high quality legal role in London after I decided to move there from Sydney.
Legal insights
FAQs for Australian and New Zealand lawyers considering UK government legal roles
What kind of roles are available in the UK Government for commonwealth candidates?
There are a wide range of roles within the UK Central Government’s legal departments. Opportunities typically exist in areas such as public law, commercial law, employment law, regulatory law, litigation, and advisory roles. Key employers include the Government Legal Department (GLD), OFGEM, OFSTED and other Central Government bodies. These roles often involve working on high-profile cases that impact national policy and public services, offering a unique career experience for international legal professionals.
How can working with a legal recruitment agency such as Sellick Partnership help?
Partnering with a specialist legal recruiter can significantly improve your chances of securing a government legal role in the UK. At Sellick Partnership, we have deep relationships with Central Government legal teams and a clear understanding of their recruitment processes. We provide tailored support for international candidates, including advice on preparing your CV for the UK market, insights into the types of roles available, and guidance through each stage of the application and relocation process.
How long can I expect the recruitment process to take?
The recruitment process for legal roles within the UK Central Government typically takes between 6 months from initial application to formal offer stage. Working with a specialist legal recruiter who understands your needs and has experience in placing Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyers, can help streamline the process averaging submission to start in 4 weeks. We can advise you on your compliance and qualifications and keep you up to date on the progress every step of the way - helping to minimise delays and give you confidence throughout your job search.
What can I expect from a salary and remuneration perspective?
Salaries for UK Central Government legal roles vary depending on the department, location, and level of seniority. Typically, government lawyers are paid £61,200 per annum in London but this can vary dependent on the organisation. In addition to base pay, many government departments offer flexible working patterns, excellent work-life balance and annual leave entitlements.
What support can I expect when relocating to the UK?
Sellick Partnership work closely with our valued clients to provide end-to-end relocation support to any potential new candidates including guidance on visa requirements, advice on where to live in London, and tips on setting up essentials like a UK bank account and National Insurance number. You will be supported at every step of the process, ensuring that your job search is as smooth as possible. Contact our legal recruitment team to find out more.
Is there any restrictions with my overseas qualification that I need to be aware of?
Commonwealth qualified lawyers often choose to work in UK Central Government because, unlike private practice roles, there are no qualification restrictions. UK Central Government departments recognise those qualified to practice in common law jurisdictions as qualified lawyers. Often, lawyers find their work career advancing, and have used their experience in UK Central Government to secure senior civil service roles in Australia and New Zealand.