Job Description

IN-HOUSE DRAFTING LAWYER (LEGAL ADVISER)

Salary: up to £84,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: London – Canary Wharf (Hybrid - min 2-3 days in the office per week).

Security Clearance required: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

Are you anexperienced legislative or regulatory drafting lawyer 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, recognised as a world leader. Our 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.

We are recruiting multiple legal team roles to support the expansion of CAA functions and the fast pace of emerging technologies in aviation. Due to an increase in legislative work, we are offering an exciting opportunity for a lawyer with legislative or specialist drafting experience to join our legal team within the CAA’s Office of the General Counsel.

The ideal candidate will bring strong drafting skills, including the ability to write clear and effective requirements, and an ability to manage varied stakeholder relationships. You will be comfortable working alongside policy colleagues to create regulations and rules to achieve regulatory aims in emerging sectors and the use of new aviation technology. With our support you will have a willingness and capability to upskill in public law and the aviation regulatory framework. You will enjoy advising a wide range of colleagues including policy development professional pilots, engineers and environmental experts to make transparent and clear decisions and maintain a robust regulatory framework. You will be open minded and able to think broadly in working out what outcomes we can deliver within the relevant regulatory context.

As a member of the legal team, you will have the opportunity to work across many areas of the organisation. Our broader legal team works on: developing new aviation legislation and policy in support of emerging technologies; shaping safety and security regulations in aviation; implementing measures to protect consumers; helping reshape airspace for the future; and managing litigation such as judicial review and enforcement actions.

We have a range of professional backgrounds and levels of experience in our team, and we pride ourselves on our ability to work dynamically and collaboratively. We are always passionate about achieving the right outcomes. Everyone’s contribution is valued, and we work in an open, friendly, and supportive environment.

With an experienced legal team around you, from the beginning you will be responsible for your own workload, working closely with colleagues and external stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. You will work collectively with other lawyers, learning and sharing so that as a team we can provide the best legal service to the CAA.

Key responsibilities

The key responsibilities for this role are:

• Developing, drafting and revising legislative documents shaping safety and security regulations in aviation, aerospace and emerging technologies.
• Providing high quality, user-friendly and practical legal advice that is responsive to clients’ needs on a wide range of matters.
• Interpreting and applying existing regulation and policies,
• Working with government lawyers and other regulators developing new law policies and guidance
• Leading all aspects of the client relationship for each allocated case or project.
• Working effectively within integrated and multi-disciplinary teams (internal and external).
• Collaborating efficiently with all lawyers in the team by sharing information, knowledge and learning.
• Contributing to the smooth running of the in-house legal team.

About You

Given the varied and flexible nature of this role, there is no ‘typical’ candidate, though it is important that candidates are enthusiastic about acquiring new knowledge across a range of work, working collaboratively and thinking proactively.

We are seeking a lawyer with 6+PQE and welcome lawyers who have taken alternative routes to qualification, as well as lawyers who have qualified abroad and are entitled to practice in the UK.

We are an equal opportunity employer actively supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage and support applications from all backgrounds, in particular candidates from minority backgrounds.

The role would be best suited to someone who has the following skills and qualifications:

Essential

• You are a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive qualified to practice in the UK with at least 6+PQE.
• You are able to communicate legal concepts and advice to non-legal stakeholders both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• You have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and you are able to think practically about solutions, taking into account the bigger picture.
• You can build trusted relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.
• You are resilient under pressure, juggling a full and varied workload with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• You have the willingness and capability to learn new areas of law quickly.
• You are committed to your own professional development and willing to support the development of others, including respectfully giving and receiving constructive feedback.

Desirable (although this is not essential for the role):

• You have experience in legislative or regulatory drafting.
• You have public law or regulatory experience.
• You have experience in an area of complex technical or other precision drafting.

What Can We Offer You?

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, health insurance, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme of up to 12% contribution and much more.

We are committed to maintaining a healthy balance between your professional and personal life. We embrace hybrid working and members of the legal team currently attend our office on two days per week with new members attending three days per week, moving to two days after a period of settling in. We offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

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.

Relocation & Property

This role will be based in the CAA’s London office at Canary Wharf.

The CAA will be relocating its main Gatwick office at Aviation House to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations. Our new office will be within a 15-mile radius of the current Gatwick office, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers. We do not expect to move our Gatwick office before 2028.

Selection process

Those applicants invited to interview will be assessed in line with the skills and attributes above, as well as the CAA’s values. Candidates invited for a second interview will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills by responding in writing to a problem scenario set over a 24-hour period.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Monday 20th April 2026

Interview Date: 27th, 28th, 29th, April and 5th and 6th May 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.