There has rightly been a strong focus on developing
government’s commercial capability. Alongside that, and just as
important, is the work we have doing in the Government Legal
Department (GLD) to build a top-quality commercial law
specialism in our Commercial Law Group (CLGp).
The Group consists of over 120 lawyers (and dedicated support
teams) providing expert commercial law services to many
government departments. Increasingly, since at least the 1980s,
contracts have been used to deliver much government policy and
public services, from prisons to schools and from border
controls to benefits payments.
CLGp lawyers are often involved in some of the most
high-profile issues of the day, working on complex transactions
or dealing with disputes when they arise. For example, lawyers
in the group have recently advised on matters as diverse as the
delivery of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the
re-procurement of the NHS supply chain, the proposed
restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster, and
contingencies arising from the collapse of Carillion plc.
First unified service
CLGp was launched in 2014, when Wendy Hardaker was appointed as
the first ever GLD Commercial Law Director. Wendy and her
colleagues created CLGp by drawing together existing commercial
lawyers in a number of government departments. This formation
of the first unified expert commercial law service for
government was recognised when Wendy won the Civil Service
Award for Leadership in 2015.
CLGp has now embarked on the next stage of its development –
something we are calling ‘the Next Chapter’.
Gareth Rhys
Williams, the Government Chief Commercial Officer, and
his colleagues in the Crown Commercial Service and individual
departments have made great strides to strengthen the
commercial capability of government. One example is the
creation of the Government Commercial Organisation, which will
employ the majority of the Civil Service’s senior commercial
leaders. The Government Commercial Function and departments
drove savings of £1.7 billion in the last financial year.
Our aim for the Next Chapter is to complement and align with
that work, increasing the amount of strategic and senior level
legal input we offer clients. Two new Deputy Commercial Law
Directors, Justinia Lewis and Paul Wright, have already been
appointed to work with Wendy to lead the group. We are also
increasing the number of Senior Civil Service lawyer posts in
CLGp from eight to 13.
Commercial law career path
However, this is not just about increasing the senior capacity
of the group. As Wendy says:
"Lawyers in my group are involved in some of the most
important and high- profile legal issues facing the country
today. Our aim in the Next Chapter is not only to ensure a
value-for-money service for clients but to ensure that we can
also offer a fulfilling career for our people, both lawyers
and those in the group who support them."
So, in addition to the increase in senior posts, for the first
time ever we will be offering trainees the opportunity to
specialise in commercial law from 2019 and are working on ways
to ensure we are making best use of the terrifically diverse
skills and knowledge possessed by individuals in the group.
Exciting times
We are also building on our already impressive track record of
successfully working with the private sector following creation
of our new external panels, bringing in law firms where
appropriate and actively working with them to ensure value for
money for the public purse.
These are exciting times to be a CLGp and GLD lawyer. I am
incredibly proud of what we have achieved and have every
confidence that even better is to come.
If you are a commercial lawyer looking for a unique environment
in which to use your skills, look out for our adverts!
