Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) | Law Careers | Government Legal Service | GLS

• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

  The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) brings together all aspects of policy on the environment, rural affairs, farming and food production. Defra’s mission is to enable everyone to live within our means, ensuring that the resources and environment that we need and enjoy are available for us all, now and in the future. It has roles in both EU and global policy-making, so that its work has a strong European and international dimension.

  Defra has one of the largest legal teams in Government and undertakes work across a wide range of policy areas and legal specialisms.

  Defra lawyers work closely with Ministers and policy officials in the Department and across Whitehall. A team-based approach is used where lawyers, administrators and other specialists collaborate on the development and implementation of policy.

  The legal issues arising from policy options include the application of EC legislation, administrative law, human rights, devolution, freedom of information and other important constitutional changes. Where necessary, we accompany policy colleagues to Brussels and elsewhere to take part in negotiating European and international agreements.

  Our litigators have a very varied practice, ranging from personal injury and employment matters to high-profile judicial reviews and proceedings in the European Court. Our prosecution team advises on, prepares and conducts prosecutions on behalf of the Department.

  James Murphy

  Government Legal Service Secretariat

  04-10-2009

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