The Government Legal Department (GLD) is playing a central role
in delivering some of the most significant changes to society
spanning major international deals, landmark employment reforms
and a generational transformation of housing law.
GLD's Business Plan
2026-27 details how the department's 3,900-strong
workforce of lawyers and legal professionals will this year
provide legal support across a wide range of legislation and
major government priorities. From finalising the US/UK Economic
Prosperity Deal to implementing the Employment Rights Act 2025
and supporting the government's programme to build 1.5 million
new homes, GLD lawyers will work on providing the legal
foundation for policies that affect millions of people.
GLD's Annual Report and
Accounts 2025-26, published alongside this Business Plan,
sets out the department's performance in full.
Wilson KC (Hon) OBE, Treasury
Solicitor and Permanent Secretary, said:
GLD's lawyers and legal professionals serve the elected
government of the day and are at the heart of addressing some of
the most difficult issues in a generation in the UK and across
the globe. We bring a unique cross-government perspective to work
that shapes policy, upholds the rule of law, and makes a real
difference to people's lives.
As we look ahead to the next decade, we must harness
technological capabilities, pivot to new government priorities
and continue to recruit and retain brilliant legal and
cross-functional professionals to be able to provide the
outstanding legal services government needs to serve the people
of this country.
As well as the Employment Rights Act and the housing programme,
GLD will support a wide range of other government priorities this
year. This includes supporting the government on a range of
complex international and domestic priorities, alongside work on
the Renters' Rights Act 2025, the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan
and the Railways Bill to establish Great British Railways.
GLD is also growing its presence outside London. The number of
staff based outside the capital has grown by 22% in the past
year, with offices in Leeds, Manchester and Bristol all
expanding. In 2026-27, GLD will increase the number of senior
staff based outside London and report quarterly on its geographic
distribution. The department will also move its Bristol office to
a new city-centre location.
The Business Plan also sets out how GLD will continue to
modernise its operations and support reform across government in
line with the Cabinet Secretary's agenda. This includes
introducing new roles to help lawyers focus on complex,
high-value work, and plans to replace the existing case
management system with a modern platform. GLD will also invest in
early talent and new career pathways to open up routes into the
legal profession.
Notes to editors
- GLD is one of the largest legal organisations in the country.
Its 3,900 lawyers and legal professionals work across five main
locations London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Croydon as well
as a number of client sites.
- GLD holds Lexcel accreditation, the Law Society's quality
standard for legal practice management and client care. GLD's
litigation teams have held this accreditation since 2006.
- In 2025-26, GLD's staff engagement index rose to 65%, up six
points since 2022 and in line with the Civil Service average.
- 2026-27 is the final year of GLD's 2024 to 2027 Strategy.
Legislation GLD is supporting in 2026-27 includes:
- The Employment Rights Act 2025 one of the most significant
reforms to employment law in decades, covering workers' rights,
trade union recognition and fair. pay. GLD is advising on its
implementation across government and helping ensure the Civil
Service is ready for the changes it brings.
- The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill which will make
commonhold the default tenure for new flats and ban the creation
of new leasehold flats, a major change in property law affecting
millions of homeowners.
- The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill which will strengthen
the UK's cyber defences and extend regulatory oversight to
protect essential public services and critical national
infrastructure.
- The Financial Services Bill which covers regulation of
cryptocurrency markets and stablecoin, a fast-moving area of
financial law with significant international dimensions.
- The Railways Bill which will establish Great British Railways
as a new coordinating body for the rail industry.
- The Victims and Courts Bill which seeks better protections
for victims in the criminal justice system through new sentencing
powers and increased powers for the Victims' Commissioner.
- GLD is also supporting the legal work to finalise the US/UK
Economic Prosperity Deal and advising on the implementation of
the Mental Health Act 2025.
