Legal Officer, Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)

Location

Hybrid. Primarily remote with one weekly hub day in London. Working arrangements may change.

Application Deadline

9am, 4 September 2026

The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) is the leading professional membership body for practitioners working in immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law. ILPA works across the full breadth of immigration law and policy including asylum and refugee protection, detention and removals, legal aid and access to justice, tribunals and appeals, and economic migration and sponsorship policy.

We exist to promote and improve the law and practice of immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law and to ensure that policy and legislation are informed by evidence, expertise and the lived experience of those affected.

Legal Officer

ILPA is recruiting a Legal Officer to support delivery of ILPA’s legal and policy work, undertaking detailed legal analysis, parliamentary support and member engagement. The role will sit horizontally alongside an existing Legal Officer post.

What we are looking for

We are seeking candidates who bring:

• Strong expertise in UK immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law
• Excellent legal and policy analysis and drafting skills
• A commitment to improving law, policy and practice
• The ability to work collaboratively in a small, expert team

The role offers the opportunity to influence national debate, work closely with leading practitioners and contribute meaningfully to the development of immigration law and policy.

Why work at ILPA

• National profile and respected reputation
• High-impact policy and legal work
• Flexible and supportive working culture
• Collaborative, expert-led organisation

Job Description

Purpose of the role

The Legal Officer will play a key role in supporting ILPA’s legal and policy work on immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law.

Working under the direction of the Director of Policy and Advocacy, the post holder will engage in detailed legal and policy analysis, support parliamentary and influencing activity, support legal project delivery, and contribute to high-quality information and engagement for ILPA members. The Legal Officer will need to work reliably and flexibly across a broad range of legal and policy issues, often at short notice.

The Legal Officer will also work with the Director of Strategic Litigation and Advice where legal policy and strategic litigation intersect.

Key responsibilities

1. Legal and policy analysis

• Produce high-quality analysis of immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law and policy.
• Monitor developments in legislation, case law and policy, including secondary legislation and guidance.
• Prepare written briefings, updates and summaries for members, trustees and external stakeholders.
• Support the Director of Policy & Advocacy in the development and delivery of ILPA’s legal strategy.

2. Parliamentary and influencing work

• Support ILPA’s parliamentary work, including monitoring legislation and parliamentary business.
• Draft consultation responses, briefings and evidence submissions.
• Assist in engagement with parliamentarians, officials, peers and external organisations.
• Support the organisation of meetings and briefings with MPs, peers, civil servants and sector partners.
• Contribute to ILPA’s influencing activity through written and oral advocacy.

3. Member engagement and sector support

• Liaise with ILPA members to gather evidence and practice insight to inform policy positions.
• Support ILPA’s thematic working groups, including attending meetings and progressing agreed actions.
• Respond to and triage member enquiries, directing issues to appropriate working groups or colleagues, and escalating complex queries as needed.
• Promote knowledge-sharing across the immigration and advice sector.
• Prepare agendas and papers for meetings, and take/circulate minutes and actions points.
• Ensure project outputs are delivered on time and to the required standard.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and funder reporting where required.
• Provide general administrative support to the legal team, including coordination for external meetings, taking and sharing minutes, organising correspondence, and storing materials timely and safely.

5. Information management and publications

• Ensure legal and policy information is accurately stored, organised and retrievable.
• Work with the Content and Communications Manager to ensure accuracy and clarity of published legal content, and draft the legal section of ILPA’s weekly newsletter, and parts of the Annual Report.

6. Organisational contribution

• Support cross-team working with training, content and litigation colleagues.
• Contribute to organisational planning, learning and continuous improvement.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the seniority of the role.

Accountability and relationships

Reports to: Director of Policy & Advocacy

Key working relationships

• Legal Officer
• Legal Project Officer
• Director of Strategic Litigation and Advice
• Content and Communications Manager
• Training Manager
• Membership Engagement Manager
• Chief Executive and Trustees

Person specification

• Appropriate post-qualification experience in UK immigration, asylum and nationality law, or equivalent expertise demonstrated through substantial legal practice or policy work at an equivalent level;
• Substantial knowledge and experience of UK immigration, economic migration, asylum and nationality law;
• Strong legal and policy analysis and drafting skills;
• Ability to communicate complex legal information clearly;
• Experience of parliamentary or government engagement;
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage a high volume of work, competing deadlines, and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment;
• Experience of member, stakeholder or practitioner engagement;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with partners across the sector;
• Commitment to ILPA’s charitable objectives.
• Knowledge of parliamentary process and legislative scrutiny;
• Experience supervising or supporting junior colleagues;
• Experience of project management or grant-funded work;
• Experience of using different software, including WordPress, Salesforce and Campaign Monitor.

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