Head of Legal Unit

Responsibility at Principal Officer level for the efficient operation and management of the Legal Unit, which provides independent, objective legal advice to the Minister and Department in relation to the legal issues arising in each Departmental policy area. This includes advising in areas of constitutional law, administrative law, EU law, contract law, tort law, property law, public international law, medical law, and human rights law. Advice is also given on Heads of Bills and the composition of statutory Instruments. The Legal Advisers also devise and advise on litigation strategy as required by the Department. The Unit also processes statutory instruments made by the Minister.