Knowledge Lawyer

Company:  Civil Aviation Authority

IN ‑ HOUSE KNOWLEDGE LAWYER (LEGAL ADVISER)

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

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time or Part-time

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

Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role 

Are you a highly organised and forward‑thinking lawyer who enjoys knowledge sharing, continuous improvement and driving excellence in legal practice?

Would you like to lead on developing a new knowledge lawyer position within the CAA’s Office of the General Counsel; shaping the scope, priorities, and impact of the role from the outset? If so, this could be the unique opportunity for you.

Whilst legal expertise in public law, civil litigation or a regulatory background is desirable, it is not essential. We are looking for transferable skills which could have been gained in most legal subject areas that draw on legislation, rules and regulations and you will be fully supported as you become familiar with our work.

Given that aviation law is a niche area, many of our existing legal advisers did not come to us with aviation law backgrounds. They have successfully transitioned to working in this regulatory area, using their transferable skills and benefiting from the supportive team culture.

As the UK’s aviation regulator, recognised internationally for our leadership and expertise, our legal team works at the forefront of aviation. We support a variety of regulatory functions including safety, consumer rights, environmental protection, emerging technologies and the future shape of UK airspace. This new professional support role is designed to strengthen our collective legal capability and support the delivery of a consistent, efficient and innovative legal service across the organisation.

This hybrid working role will be based in the CAA’s London office at Canary Wharf, with the particular hybrid working pattern to be agreed with the successful candidate.

Key day-to-day responsibilities:

• Develop and promote the knowledge database and knowledge‑sharing processes across the legal team.
• Draft, maintain and enhance precedents, templates, checklists and guidance notes.
• Drive efficiencies using AI in workflows and processes.
• Produce timely internal updates and client‑facing briefings.
• Support legal advisers to prepare client and team training.

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, working collaboratively and thinking proactively.

We are seeking a lawyer with 6+PQE and transferable skills. We 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 welcome applicants who are seeking part-time or school-hours roles. We’re happy to discuss flexible working patterns that support your commitments while meeting the needs of the team.

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:

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive with significant PQE in a subject area that would bring transferable skills to this role.
• Excellent analytical, research and drafting skills.
• Strong communication, training and presentation skills.
• Highly organised and capable of managing multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of quality and consistency.
• Able to identify process improvements and support innovation.
• Collaborative, proactive and committed to staying current with legal and market developments.

Desirable but not essential: 

• Good working knowledge of public law.
• Civil litigation expertise.
• Project or change‑management experience.
• Familiarity with using AI as well as knowledge and document management systems.

What Can We Offer You?

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, health insurance, 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. Our established legal advisers currently attend our office on two days per week, but we offer flexible working patterns, and we are open to having a conversation about what works for you in this newly created role.

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 we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

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

For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit -  Vetting explained - GOV.UK (

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit -  BPSS clearance

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

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

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