Location
National - with regular work expected from your nearest base location, either one of OPG’s main offices or your nearest national Ministry of Justice office. Central London opportunities available.

Hours
Permanent, full-time role with a minimum of 4 working days per week. Flexible, part-time working and job share requests will be considered based on operational needs. Occasional work outside standard hours may be required to meet Court deadlines.

Salary
National: £58,511 - £65,329
London: £63,343 - £70,725
Salaries are subject to increase by the end of the year.

About the Role
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects individuals in England and Wales who may lack the mental capacity to make certain decisions, such as those relating to health and finance. As an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice, OPG registers lasting and enduring powers of attorney and supervises deputies appointed by the Court of Protection.

The Legal Team, comprising 70 to 80 multidisciplinary staff, provides a high-quality specialist legal service. The team’s core functions include conducting litigation on behalf of the Public Guardian in the Court of Protection and providing legal advice across the organisation on policy, investigations, complaints, and potential litigation.

This role involves managing litigation processes, drafting and supervising court applications, providing legal advice, supporting leadership, and potentially appearing before the Court of Protection. You will also contribute to OPG’s transformation programmes and help develop continuous improvement initiatives.

OPG is committed to inclusion, diversity, and supporting adults at risk through accessible, affordable, and high-quality services. The organisation is also pioneering the responsible use of AI to support legal practice, offering opportunities to engage in innovative developments.

This is a rewarding and challenging role that offers genuine career progression within one of the public sector’s most important in-house legal teams.

Experience
- Qualified or expected to qualify by March 2027 as a Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales, or as a UK CILEx Lawyer with litigation practice rights/FCILEx.
- Experience working in a legal team within the jurisdiction of England & Wales as a trainee, paralegal, or lawyer.
- Proven experience in litigation, Mental Capacity Act, or Court of Protection work.
- Demonstrated excellent legal judgment and ability to anticipate future challenges.
- Advanced interpersonal and communication skills with a strong team orientation.
- Ability to work at pace, meet challenging deadlines, and adapt priorities as needed.

About You
- Passionate about protecting vulnerable adults and committed to OPG’s purpose.
- Strong leadership and communication skills to contribute positively as a senior team member.
- Collaborative approach to working with multiple departments including policy, operations, investigations, and supervision.
- Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing work demands and deadlines.

Qualifications
- Qualified or soon-to-be qualified legal professional as outlined above.
- Desirable: Experience as a Government Lawyer.
- Desirable: Interest or experience in using AI or automating legal processes.

Additional requirements include undergoing a basic criminal record check and meeting nationality eligibility criteria consistent with Civil Service standards.