WIREDGOV

The competition to recruit the Panel of Special Advocates in England and Wales is now open.

Overview

The Attorney General is seeking to appoint new junior members to the Panel of Special Advocates to undertake Special Advocate work in a wide variety of cases.

Appointment to the Panel of Special Advocates is open to both barristers and solicitors with Higher Rights of Audience.

Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates

Special Advocates appear in closed material proceedings (CMP) in a variety of courts and tribunals. They perform a crucial role by representing the interests of excluded parties and subjecting closed material to independent scrutiny.

This work presents a great opportunity to be involved with high-profile and complex government litigation, ensuring that individuals’ access to justice is protected. This role requires an ability to work independently, and also closely with a small team of Special Advocates and the Special Advocates’ Support Office (SASO). More information about the role of Special Advocates is available in the SASO Manual.

Please note that there is also a competition being run to set up a Panel of Special Advocates in Scotland. For more information on that campaign, please visit the OAG website. The link will become live when that campaign launches on 17 September 2024.

Application

The Special Advocate competition is open to both junior self-employed barristers and solicitor-advocates with at least 5 years’ advocacy experience. Please note that KCs are not being recruited as part of this competition.

Experience of judicial review proceedings, and of acting either for or against government, is required. Applicants should note that the nature of the work requires a substantial professional connection to the London area to carry out work on the material. The majority of the hearings will also take place in London.

Successful applicants will need to obtain ‘Developed Vetting’ security clearance. Appointments will be for 10 years. Members of the Attorney General’s civil litigation panels are also eligible to apply for appointment to the Panel of Special Advocates.

To encourage applicants to apply, we are hosting an information evening on 26 September 2024. The time will be confirmed shortly. Please email specialadvocates@governmentlegal.gov.uk if you would like to attend and details will be circulated in due course.

To request an application pack (which includes more details about the application process) or submit an application, please contact SpecialAdvocatesRecruitment@governmentlegal.gov.uk.

Applications (including receipt of references) must be submitted by midday on Friday 18 October 2024.

Further Information

If you have any queries, please contact specialadvocates@governmentlegal.gov.uk.