Government Legal Department
Applications will soon be open for counsel wishing to join the Attorney Generals London A and B Panels of the Civil Counsel.
This will be a fantastic opportunity for advocates with more than five years experience. Being a panel member gives advocates exposure to some of the most important and high profile cases of the day and the chance to represent the government in various courts including the Supreme Court.
Those interested are encouraged to attend an event on Monday 6 February at the Government Legal Department offices, which will give more information about the application process, and demystify the application process. You will have the chance to hear from the Vice Chairman of the Bar Council, and a current member of the A Panel among others.
Event details
Why apply to the panel counsel and how best to do it
Date: Monday 6 February 2017
Time: 5:30pm
Address: Government Legal Department, One Kemble Street, London, WC2B 4TS
For further information and to reserve a place, please contact Anna Rickard on020 7210 1506 or email anna.rickard@governmentlegal.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday 3 February 2017.
Background
What is the Panel Counsel?
The Attorney General maintains 5 panels of junior Counsel to undertake civil and EU work for all government departments. He has 3 London Panels (A, B and C), a Regional Panel, and a Public International Law (PIL) Panel.
Who can apply?
This recruitment drive is only for Panel A and B.
Members of the A Panel deal with complex government cases. They will often appear against QCs. Those previously appointed to the A Panel have generally had in excess of 10 years advocacy experience.
Members of the B panel deal with substantial cases but these are not as complex as those handled by the A panel. They will generally be instructed where knowledge and experience of a particular field is required. Those previously appointed to the B panel have generally had between 5 and 10 years advocacy experience.
What do potential candidates have to do?
Anyone considering making an application to join either the A or B Panel should register an expression of interest by emailing panelcounsel@governmentlegal.gov.uk
The competition opens on Tuesday 21 February 2017. On or after that date everyone who has registered an interest will be sent details of how to access the online application form.