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General Information

Salary
£63,343 - £70,725
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
12-Dec-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11779

Descriptions & requirements

Job description
Job description - overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a lawyer to work directly with the Master of the Rolls and other members of the senior judiciary.

In addition to his duties as President of the Court of Appeal’s Civil Division, the Master of the Rolls is Head of Civil Justice. He is chair of the Civil Justice Council (the statutory body responsible for scrutinising the operation of the civil justice system and advising on its improvement), of the Civil Procedure Rule Committee (the body responsible for the rules of court that govern the practice and procedure in the civil courts of England and Wales) and of the new Online Procedure Rule Committee (the new body that will oversee the development of rules for online proceedings across the Civil, Family and Tribunals jurisdictions). His office’s historic responsibility for public records is today reflected in his overall responsibility for judicial data and in his chairmanship of the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives and of the Forum on Historical Manuscripts and Academic Research.

As the Master of the Rolls’ lawyer you will advise him and the Deputy Head of Civil Justice, and the judges to whom they delegate, on the development of policy, rules and procedure; identify and advise upon legal risks that may emerge from the development of civil justice policy; and assist with the preparation of lectures, speeches and articles on both legal and policy matters. As the Master of the Rolls is currently First Vice President of the European Law Institute, you will also support him in that work by keeping abreast of current and prospective ELI projects and working with the ELI secretariat in Vienna. Further to the Master of the Rolls’ responsibility for judicial data, you will also be expected to advise him, the wider judiciary and your Judicial Office colleagues on data protection issues. 

This is a high-profile role for a lawyer and offers the opportunity to become a recognised and respected voice at the heart of the justice system. You will need to be confident in advising all of the senior judges with responsibility for civil justice, including the Master of the Rolls, the Deputy Head of Civil Justice and the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division), as well as the judicial members of the Judicial Data Protection Panel.

You will have a large degree of autonomy in undertaking your work and will need to be able to work independently to provide high quality legal, strategic and policy advice to the senior judiciary. 

You will also need to be able to form strong working relationships with members of the judiciary (at all levels), with the lawyers in other senior judges’ private offices, and with a wide range of key officials across the civil justice system.

There may be opportunities for travel, both within the UK and internationally, supporting and participating in judicial engagements such as conferences and court visits.

You will be an essential member of the Master of the Rolls’ busy private office team. You will work closely with his Private Secretary to support the Master of the Rolls in fulfilling his wide and varied responsibilities. Part of the enjoyment and challenge of working within a private office is that work can be fast paced and unpredictable, particularly during the judicial termtime. The Master of the Rolls’ private office is a small and friendly team, with a sociable outlook, that enjoys supporting each other.

Job description – specific responsibilities

Specific responsibilities will include:

•    Advising the Master of the Rolls on the development of the digital justice system, in particular supporting him as chair of the new Online Procedure Rules Committee;
•    Supporting the Deputy Head of Civil Justice in preparing for meetings of the Civil Procedure Rules Committee and advising on amendments to the Rules and on new Practice Directions;
•    Supporting the Master of the Rolls in preparing for meetings of the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives and advising on the law relating to public records;
•    Advising the Master of the Rolls on appointments to statutory tribunals for which he has responsibility;
•    Advising the Master of the Rolls in relation to the duties delegated to him by the Lady Chief Justice under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005;
•    Conducting legal research and assisting with the preparation of lectures, speeches, and articles for the Master of the Rolls on both legal and policy matters;
•    Advising the Master of the Rolls, the Judicial Data Protection Panel and the Judicial Office’s Data Privacy Officer on the application of data protection law to the judiciary and the Judicial Office;
•    Deputising for the Private Secretary to the Master of the Rolls on occasion.

Qualifications and experience

The successful applicant must:

•    Be qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales and hold a valid practising certificate (if required) or be able to obtain one;
•    Have experience of the operation of the civil justice system and an interest in legal policy issues;
•    Have a sound knowledge and understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules and the work of the civil courts;
•    Be able to provide high quality legal advice (both written and oral) which fits into the wider policy and operational context.

Desirable professional qualifications and experience include:
•    Experience of data protection law, and an interest in the legal, practical and strategic policy issues surrounding data.

Selection criteria

Technical legal skills

The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence of:
•    Sound understanding of the civil law and procedure;
•    Expertise in or an understanding of public law and constitutional law;
•    Sound analysis, using legal research to produce timely and fit for purpose advice;
•    Ability to communicate advice effectively both in writing and orally, with little formal legal supervision;
•    Reliable legal judgment and appreciation of legal risk, being able to identify and explain legal options, giving a steer as appropriate, and extracting key legal issues;
•    Understanding of the role of an advisory lawyer.

Behaviours

During the application process you will also be asked to provide an example of how you have met the following behaviours:

•    Communicating and influencing;
•    Making effective decisions;
•    Delivering at pace.

Should we receive a large number of applications we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of communicating and influencing. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview. The above technical skills and behaviours will be tested at the interview, alongside strengths-based questions that are not shared in advance. (See the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary for more details. Candidates invited to interview will also be required to do a short presentation or scenario test.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.



Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.


Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 11779

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 11779

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
All applicants must be a qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales and hold a valid practising certificate (if required) or be able to obtain one.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected 12th – 13th January 2026
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation, Technical Test
Level of security checks required
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.