Sophie Harper

Government Legal Department

The Government Legal Department provides legal advice to government on the development, design and implementation of government policies and decisions, and represents the government in court. We have more than 1800 employees, around 1300 of whom are solicitors or barristers. GLD lawyers: • advise government whether a policy can be implemented under existing legislation • help prepare new bills and take them through Parliament • provide litigation services to the majority of government departments • advise and act for government on employment law, commercial law and European law • work closely with ministers, civil servants and Parliamentary counsel GLD's Bona Vacantia Division administers the estates of people who die intestate (without a valid will and without known kin) and collects the assets of dissolved companies and other ownerless goods in England and Wales.