Be among the first 25 applicants.
For further information and to apply, please visit Civil Service Jobs.
Location
Our office is in central Reading. We offer flexibility in where you work and we’ll expect you to attend the office a minimum of two days a month. When you join us, we expect you to be in the office more frequently to settle into the TRA. The Legal team’s current arrangement is to have regular in person days in the office, currently on a Thursday.
Overview
Job summary
The TRA carries out investigations into unfair trading practices and recommends measures to the Secretary of State. This work is novel within the UK and the Legal team at the TRA is at the forefront in developing this new field of law based on complex legislation and underpinned by World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.
As a Senior Lawyer at the TRA you will be responsible for providing legal advice and support to the case teams carrying out trade remedies investigations and reviews, to help ensure that our decisions and processes are legally robust. You will also provide legal advice to inform the development of the TRA’s operational policies and procedures.
We are recruiting for one post, but may appoint additional successful candidates from this campaign.
Job summary
Flexible working, full-time, compressed hours. We also welcome applications for substantial part time hours (3-4 days a week) and are open to job share arrangements.
Job description
In this role you will:
* Advise on trade remedy investigations, providing high quality, solutions-focused and risk-based public law and international trade law advice to help inform decision-making;
* Make interpretive decisions which create precedent and provide authoritative specialist advice to senior decision makers;
* Be proactive in developing your legal skills and expertise in trade remedies and WTO law;
* Play a part in the wider leadership of the organisation and be involved in projects and initiatives beyond your immediate business role which help to support the TRA’s values of Integrity, Transparency, Inclusion and Expertise and deliver the TRA’s strategic goals and business plan priorities;
* Have potential line management and/or budget responsibilities;
* Lead and manage litigation efficiently and effectively and use your expertise to coordinate the TRA's response to any litigation on trade remedies;
* Oversee processes to ensure operational readiness for such litigation;
* Coordinate responses to litigation across all court levels, from the Upper Tribunal to the Supreme Court;
* Provide guidance and training to legal and non-legal colleagues to strengthen legal awareness and readiness; and
* Build and develop relationships with external stakeholders including counsel and the tribunal and court systems.
Person specification
You will have excellent judgement and strong analytical skills with the ability to conduct high-quality legal research and produce robust legal analysis and advice.
You will be proficient in interpreting and applying statute, case law, and public law, and demonstrate a sound awareness of legal risk in your decision-making.
You will convey thoughts and ideas well, both verbally and in writing – simplifying complexities and adapting communications so others can understand.
You take a solutions-focused approach to legal problem-solving, considering broader contextual and policy factors to inform your advice.
You’re self-aware and keen to use feedback effectively to help you learn and develop as a professional.
In particular, you will be keen and motivated to learn about this new area of law in the UK and the underlying WTO law on which it is based. Your role will also require you to understand how international law, in particular WTO law, interacts with UK trade remedies legislation and public law.
Essential Experience:
Legal advice: Demonstrable expertise in statutory interpretation and the ability to provide accurate, high quality, timely and solutions focussed legal advice. Consistently and proactively identifies the key legal issues and can explain the legal options clearly.
Legal judgment and risk: Experience in identifying legal risks and providing clear assessments, of those risks, exercising sound legal judgment taking into account the policy and operational contexts.
Communication: Proven ability to communicate complex legal advice clearly and persuasively, tailoring the approach to suit different audiences. Ability to produce clear and well-structured legal advice.
Experience leading and managing public law litigation efficiently and effectively, including:
* Providing clear, high quality and timely instructions to counsel;
* Preparing submissions and meeting tribunal or court deadlines;
* Leading on disclosure of documents and compiling and filing statements of case, witness statements and bundles; and
* Conducting correspondence and/or negotiations with applicants and claimants.
Preferred Experience:
* Knowledge and experience of trade remedies;
* Knowledge and experience of international law, in particular WTO law.
* Knowledge and experience of applying public law considerations to decision making.
Qualifications
Fully qualified solicitor / barrister entitled to practice in England and Wales (evidence of entitlement to practice must be given in the application).
Degree-educated (2:1 or above) or provide evidence of an equivalent high-level academic or professional achievement.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
To Apply: You will need to complete a CV and a 750-word maximum personal statement.
If more than 20 applications are received, an initial sift will be carried out on the basis of CVs.
Your CV should set out your education, professional qualifications and employment history to demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role.
Your personal statement (maximum 750 words) should provide evidence to demonstrate how your experience, skills and attributes meet the criteria for the role.
Interview: The interview will consist of a written assessment to be completed on the assessment day under timed conditions, an oral presentation with time for questions, and a 45 minute behaviour based interview.
The behaviours to be assessed are Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, and Communicating and Influencing.
Expected Timeline:
Closing date: 21 September 2025
Shortlist: From 22 September 2025
Interviews: From 2 October 2025
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Jamie Munk, a Senior Lawyer in the team, is offering the opportunity for an informal chat ahead of the application closing date. Please email jamie.munk@traderemedies.gov.uk if you’d like one.
Seniority level
* Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Other
Job function
* Legal
* Industries: International Trade and Development
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at UK Trade Remedies Authority by 2x.
Get notified about new Litigation Counsel jobs in Reading, England, United Kingdom.
Reading, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Henley-On-Thames, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Oxford, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Staines-Upon-Thames, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Bracknell, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Reading, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr