Regulatory bodies and commissions, the various regulators and commissions that oversee and govern different sectors and areas, offer a genuinely interesting set of legal careers that many lawyers overlook. Working here means being at the intersection of law, regulation and policy. Let me give you an overview of careers in regulatory bodies and commissions for lawyers, and how to pursue them.
Quick answer
Regulatory bodies and commissions, the various regulators and commissions overseeing different sectors and areas, offer legal careers in which lawyers work on the legal, regulatory and related matters these bodies handle. The work can involve legal and regulatory work connected to the body’s mandate, such as regulation, adjudicatory or quasi-judicial functions, enforcement, advisory and related work, depending on the body; interpreting and applying the relevant law and regulation; and supporting the body’s legal and regulatory functions.
These roles sit at the intersection of law, regulation and policy, which makes them intellectually interesting and distinctive. Roles are entered through the official recruitment processes of the relevant bodies, which may involve various selection routes, with eligibility, processes and terms that vary by body and change.
The work suits lawyers interested in law, regulation and policy, and in a particular sector or area, who want public-sector, regulation-focused legal work. It rewards legal skills, understanding of the relevant regulation and sector, and analytical ability. To pursue these careers, understand the range of regulatory bodies and commissions and the legal roles within them, identify those that fit your interests, including any sector you care about, and pursue them through the relevant bodies’ official recruitment, checking each one’s current requirements.
The keys are: understand the regulatory and legal landscape and the roles within it, identify the bodies and sectors that fit you, and pursue them through official recruitment, verifying each body’s current eligibility and process. Roles, eligibility and recruitment vary by body and change, so always verify against official sources.
What legal work in regulators and commissions involves
Legal work in regulatory bodies and commissions connects to the body’s mandate and functions, which can include regulation, adjudicatory or quasi-judicial functions, enforcement, advisory and related work, depending on the body. Lawyers here interpret and apply the relevant law and regulation, and support the body’s legal and regulatory functions.
Because these bodies sit at the intersection of law, regulation and policy, the work is distinctive, often combining legal expertise with sector and regulatory knowledge. The exact nature varies by body and its mandate.
Who these careers suit and what they reward
Careers in regulatory bodies and commissions suit lawyers interested in law, regulation and policy, and often in a particular sector or area that a body oversees, who want public-sector, regulation-focused legal work. They reward legal skills, understanding of the relevant regulation and sector, and analytical ability.
If you are drawn to the regulatory and policy dimension of law, and perhaps to a specific sector, these roles can be a strong fit.
How to pursue these careers
These roles are entered through the official recruitment processes of the relevant bodies. To pursue them, understand the range of regulatory bodies and commissions and the legal roles within them; identify those that fit your interests, including any sector you care about; and watch for and apply through the relevant bodies’ official recruitment.
Because eligibility, selection routes, processes and terms vary by body and change, always check each target body’s current official recruitment channel for the specifics. There is no single route; each body recruits through its own process.
YLCC ACTION STEP: Explore the range of regulatory bodies and commissions and the legal roles within them, and identify those that fit your interests, including any sector or area you care about. Then pursue them through the relevant bodies’ official recruitment: watch for and apply through their official channels, meeting each body’s eligibility and following its process. Because roles, eligibility and recruitment vary by body and change, always check each target body’s current official recruitment channel. Don’t rely on general figures or assume a single route.
PLEASE DON’T DO THIS: Please don’t assume all regulatory bodies and commissions recruit the same way or on the same terms. Roles, eligibility, selection routes and terms vary by body and change. And please don’t rely on general or second-hand figures; always confirm from each target body’s current official recruitment channel. Understand the landscape and roles, identify the bodies and sectors that fit you, and pursue each through its official process.
If this is you
If you are drawn to law, regulation and policy: careers in regulatory bodies and commissions can be a strong fit, at the intersection of these. Explore the bodies and roles and pursue them through official recruitment.
If you care about a particular sector: a regulator or commission overseeing that sector may let you combine legal work with your sector interest. Identify the relevant bodies and track their official recruitment.
If you want public-sector, regulation-focused work: these roles offer exactly that. Understand the landscape, find the fit, and pursue through official channels, checking current requirements.
FAQs
- What legal careers exist in regulatory bodies and commissions? Roles in which lawyers work on the legal, regulatory and related matters these bodies handle, connected to each body’s mandate, which can include regulation, adjudicatory or quasi-judicial functions, enforcement, advisory and related work.
- What does the work involve? Interpreting and applying the relevant law and regulation, and supporting the body’s legal and regulatory functions, at the intersection of law, regulation and policy.
- Who do these careers suit? Lawyers interested in law, regulation and policy, and often in a particular sector, who want public-sector, regulation-focused legal work.
- How do I pursue them? Through the official recruitment processes of the relevant bodies. Understand the landscape and roles, identify the bodies that fit you, and apply through their official channels.
- Do all regulators recruit the same way? No. Eligibility, selection routes, processes and terms vary by body and change. Check each target body’s official recruitment channel.
