Legal Adviser - Competition Lawyer

Date: 11 Aug 2026
Location: London, GB
Company:  Civil Aviation Authority
IN-HOUSE COMPETITION LAWYER (LEGAL ADVISER)

Salary: up to £84,000 per annum dependent upon experience
Contract Type:  Permanent, Full-time
Security Level:  SC
Location: London –  Canary Wharf – min 3 days in the office per week.
Visa Restrictions:  This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: 9th September 2026
Interview Date:  Starting from 14th September 2026

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 competition lawyer looking for a fulfilling and interesting legal position, with an opportunity to develop further skills and expertise in economic regulation? Are you interested in working on high-profile matters in a sector that is constantly innovating whilst maintaining the highest standards in protecting the public? If so, this could be the role for you.

While a competition lawyer role, experience in economic regulation would be useful and a strong interest in developing expertise in economic regulation is essential. This is because a large part of the role, for at least the next 12 months, will involve working on matters related to Heathrow expansion. Given that aviation law is a niche area, many of our 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.

We have concurrent competition powers with the Competition and Markets Authority to enforce competition law as it relates to the provision of airport operation services and the supply of air traffic services.

This hybrid working role will be based in the CAA’s London office at Canary Wharf, with the team normally working 2 days a week in the office and new joiners initially working 3 days a week in the office as a settling in period.

Core Accountabilities

• Providing high quality, user-friendly and practical legal advice that is responsive to clients’ needs on a very wide range of matters including interpreting and applying legislation, developing policies, enforcement and litigation.
• Leading all aspects of the client relationship for each allocated case or project.
• Being a key point of contact in integrated and multi-disciplinary teams (internal and external) including for external lawyers, other regulators (such as the CMA) and government lawyers.
• Sharing information, knowledge and learning with all lawyers in the team.

 

About You

We are seeking a competition lawyer with 4+PQE and with a strong interest in developing expertise in economic regulation. We welcome lawyers who have taken alternative routes to qualification, as well as lawyers who have qualified abroad and are entitled to practise in the UK.

It is important that candidates are enthusiastic about acquiring new knowledge, working collaboratively and thinking proactively

We are an equal opportunity employer actively supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion. 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 qualified to practise in the UK with at least 4+PQE in competition law and/or economic regulation. A strong interest, and ability to develop expertise, in economic regulation.
• Able to communicate legal concepts and advice to non-legal stakeholders both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and able to think practically about solutions, taking into account the bigger picture.
• Resilient under pressure with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

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

• Experience in economic regulation.
• Experience of dealing with litigation matters.
• Experience in public law or regulatory matters.

 

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 committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. Find out more about the  Disability Confident Scheme . If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, 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

Explore  What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.

Our Values

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

Closing Date: 9th September 2026

Interview Date:  Starting from 14th September 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.