Date: 11 Sept 2025
Location: London, GB
Company: Civil Aviation Authority
Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum dependent upon experience
Contract Type: Permanent – Full time
Location: London, Westferry
Security Clearance Required: SC
Are you looking for a fulfilling, balanced and interesting legal position? Do you want forward-looking work in a sector that is constantly evolving and innovating whilst maintaining the highest standards in protecting the public? This could be the role for you.
We are the UK’s aviation regulator and recognised as a world leader in this field and the legal team has been repeatedly recognised at a national and global level for the exceptional work we do. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation and aerospace industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Providing high quality, practical and accurate legal advice that is responsive to internal clients’ needs on a range of matters, focussed on criminal enforcement and litigation and related matters, but also on the applicability and interpretation of law, regulations and policies across the organisation’s functions.
• Delivering appropriate and proportionate enforcement outcomes in accordance with the organisation’s policies and the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
• Occasionally acting as advocate in criminal and regulatory hearings.
• Working and collaborating effectively within integrated and multi-disciplinary teams (internal and external).
• Building and maintaining trusted professional relationships with clients across the organisation and building the profile of the Office of the General Counsel.
• Leading all aspects of the client relationship for each allocated case or project and proactively being responsible for the matter from start-to-finish.
• Aligning the legal service provided with the client demands in a way that improves the organisation’s reputation and ensures the CAA continues to be a world-leading aviation regulator.
• Contributing to the smooth running of the in-house legal team.

IF YOU DO NOT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT YOUR APPLICATION.

For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

THE ROLE

Due to continued growth and an increase in the CAA’s responsibilities we are offering the opportunity for a lawyer to become part of the legal team within the Office of the General Counsel.
The ideal candidate will bring transferable skills in criminal evidence, drafting, litigation and advocacy, and preferably regulatory hearings. Other skills such as providing legal advice, problem solving, client and stakeholder management and a willingness and capability to upskill in public law and the aviation regulatory framework, with support provided, are also desirable. You will support us in responding appropriately to legal challenge as well as advisory and litigation work. You will work alongside colleagues including engineers, pilots, finance specialists, economists, environmental experts as well as policy development professionals, in making transparent and clear decisions. You will be open minded and able to think broadly in working out what we can deliver within the relevant legal and regulatory framework and tools available.
As a member of the legal team, you will have the opportunity to work across many areas of the organisation. Our lawyers’ work includes managing litigation such as judicial review and enforcement actions; implementing measures to protect consumers; developing safety and security regulations in aviation; helping reshape airspace for the future; and developing new aviation legislation and policy in support of new technologies.
As a team, we have a range of professional backgrounds and levels of experience. We pride ourselves on our ability to work dynamically and collaboratively as a team and we are always passionate about achieving the right outcomes. Everyone’s contribution is valued, and we work in an open, friendly, and supportive environment.
You’ll be supported by the experienced legal team around you, and from the beginning you will have an opportunity to be responsible for your own workload, working collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. You will also work collectively with the team of lawyers, learning and sharing with each other so that as a team we can provide the best legal service to the CAA.

Minimum essential requirements for the role:

• You are a solicitor or barrister qualified to practice in England and Wales, with at least 4+PQE.
• You have good knowledge of and experience in advising on criminal evidence, disclosure and criminal procedure rules applicable in England and Wales.
• You have experience in criminal drafting, litigation and in-court advocacy.
• You communicate in a clear and concise manner, verbally and in writing, as appropriate to the end-user.
• You have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and you are able to think practically about solutions, taking into account the bigger picture.
• You have the willingness and ability to learn new areas of law quickly.
• You manage your work and time effectively and efficiently and are comfortable juggling a full and varied workload.
• You are resilient under pressure and able to manage multiple deadlines.
• You build strong relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.
• You are committed to your own development and willing to support the development of others.
• You are open to giving and receiving constructive feedback with a learning mindset.
• You are able to build trusted client relationships

Desirable skills for the role:

• You have higher rights of audience.
• You have experience dealing with regulatory hearings.
• You have public law or regulatory experience