Location
Central London with hybrid working arrangements. Successful candidates can work from their nearest regional hub (base location) within the UK, attending the base location at least 2 days a week and the London office regularly (approximately once a month) in line with business and team needs.

Hours
Full-time, part-time, or job-share options available. Flexible working patterns including flexi time and compressed hours are supported, subject to business needs.

Salary
£42,914 per annum (SEO grade). Ministry of Justice contributes £12,432 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Higher starting salaries may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

About the Role
The Law Commission of England and Wales is recruiting a Law Reform Assistant Lawyer to join the Criminal Law team, working primarily on the review of the law of homicide. This is a unique opportunity to influence law reform in England and Wales through challenging and high-profile projects. The role involves legal analysis and drafting, stakeholder engagement, and project management within a small team led by the Commissioner for Criminal Law.

Working at the Law Commission offers the chance to engage in policy making, legal research, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure the law is fair, modern, simple, and cost-effective. The Criminal Law team has a strong track record of practical law reform, with recent successes in areas such as intimate image abuse and corporate criminal liability.

The postholder will work with the Commissioner, Team Manager, lawyers, and law reform assistants, contributing to legal and policy research, drafting consultation papers and reports, managing projects, and supporting team members. This role is suitable for newly qualified lawyers, experienced paralegals, legal researchers, or those with legal policy experience or early career academics interested in law reform.

Experience
At least one year’s experience of legal work or policy work with a substantial legal element, gained within the Civil Service, legal practice, academia, or the third sector. Demonstrable skills in interpreting and analysing law and legal policy, and communicating complex legal analysis. Understanding of the Criminal Law team’s work and motivation to contribute to law reform.

About you
Interest in law reform and working collaboratively within a team. Strong communication skills and professional judgement. Ability to engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders and manage projects effectively. Commitment to the Law Commission’s values including inclusion, diversity, and a positive working culture.

Qualifications
Academic:
- A minimum of a 2.1 undergraduate degree in law; or
- A 2:1 undergraduate degree in any subject including (or in addition to) at least two years’ full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study in law. If this includes a law conversion and professional legal practice course (e.g. SQE, GDL, LPC, BPTC), substantial additional relevant skills or knowledge must be demonstrated. Overseas degree qualifications equivalent to a 2.1 degree may be accepted.
Professional:
- By the start of the role, at least one year’s experience of legal or legal policy work as described above.