Not many lawyer job adverts feature sentences like this: “Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member, who should not tell anyone else.”
The money isn’t great: £25,000 – £29,999 for a solicitor or barrister with “significant post qualification experience”. But it would be a great gig for generating dinner parties stories – dinner parties, that is, to which only a partner or close family member are invited. The advert in the Times states:
“MI5 safeguards the United Kingdom against threats to national security including terrorism, espionage, sabotage and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Join us as a Lawyer and you’ll be taking on a demanding, stimulating and rewarding role where your personal qualities will be valued as highly as your legal expertise. It’s a chance to contribute and really make a difference with immediate and individual responsibility.”
Not only must candidates keep schtum about their applications, but they have to complete a series of pre-screening questions. The successful ones will then have a security interview with a vetting officer.
It would be interesting to find out how the strict loyalty to the queen and country that spooks are required to show would square with a lawyer’s professional and ethical obligations. Want to find out? Click here to apply (but for god’s sake don’t tell anyone!)