The Government Legal Department (GLD) has solidified its presence in Manchester with the official opening of its Salford office in New Three Bailey. Joined by The Attorney General, the Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC MP, the Solicitor General, Michael Tomlinson KC MP, GLD Director General, Sarah Goom and Angus Edwards, Deputy Director at HMRC, the opening event saw guests from across the legal profession and Civil Service hear from seniors on the future growth of GLD. The Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary of GLD, Susanna McGibbon, also joined via video. Government lawyers have been working from the premises since April 2023 and there are currently 42 members of staff based in Manchester. Lawyers have been working on an array of issues, including advising on public sector pension schemes, plans for the Sizewell C programme, and free trade agreement negotiations with Israel and Greenland. GLD plans to increase the number of staff at the Manchester office and regularly advertises roles. Expansion plans sees GLD considered the largest in-house legal practice in the country, working closely alongside established private firms with offices in Manchester and across the North. In its commitment to supporting Places for Growth, the opening of the Manchester office will allow GLD to access a wide and diverse talent pool to work on cross cutting legal issues at the heart of government. Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP, said: “Government lawyers work on the most sensitive and complex issues, which have far reaching impacts. That is why it is imperative we have a representative legal workforce that can provide expert advice to the government. “The opening of the Manchester office is a significant milestone, and I am incredibly proud that GLD is providing further opportunities in the north-west to aspiring and established legal professionals. This will help GLD continue to attract and retain the best and brightest talent in the government legal profession.”
