We are launching a new round of secondment opportunities for lawyers, to start on 7 April 2025.
Since its launch in June 2018, almost 60 secondees from over 20 law firms have taken part in the programme and we are now accepting applications for the next round.
We invite you to consider whether your firm and any of your associates wish to participate.
The deadline for applications is 31 January 2025.
Our programme offers an exciting opportunity for competition and consumer lawyers:
- the 6-month programme encompasses work across our competition and consumer law functions, and is designed to offer a structured insight into the workings of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
- secondees have the opportunity to work within one or more of the CMA's Legal Service, Policy, Mergers, Competition Act, Consumer, Digital Markets, Internal Market and Subsidy Control functions, under the supervision of senior CMA lawyers
- secondees form an integral part of our multi-disciplinary teams and have the opportunity to play a key role in delivering the CMA's aims and strategic goals through casework or wider legal and policy work
- this opportunity to work with us at the CMA will prove valuable to both the secondee and their firm on their return to private practice
Comments from previous secondees:
Being seconded to the CMA Phase 1 Mergers team has been a fantastic experience. The team was so welcoming and friendly and got me involved in casework from day 1. I had the opportunity to work on numerous varied and interesting Phase 1 merger cases and learn a considerable amount about the CMA's investigatory processes. As a principal case officer, I was responsible for the day-to-day running and management of multiple Phase 1 merger investigations and assisted with the substantive assessment central to each case. I thoroughly enjoyed working with very impressive colleagues from the broader world of competition regulation and learning from their wealth of experience in investigating merger cases.
I thoroughly enjoyed my secondment to the CMA's Consumer team. My colleagues were very welcoming and friendly, and got me involved from day one. I helped scope for new consumer law enforcement cases and this taught me a lot about strategy, prioritisation and working within a team to make decisions. I also helped launch and run enforcement cases over my secondment. Overall, this experience was incredibly valuable as I was able to develop my understanding of consumer laws and CMA enforcement powers. The project I was on very much sat at the forefront of law and technology. Further, the CMA clearly value knowledge sharing as there is no shortage of talks and seminars to attend.
Working within the Digital Markets Unit has been fantastic. I am so grateful for the opportunity and have learned a lot. It has been fascinating working on the shaping of future legislation.
Application details:
Secondments are open to qualified lawyers currently employed in a law firm in the UK and with previous experience working on competition and/or consumer law matters. While secondees to date have been based in our London office, we are open to consider requests for secondments to be based in CMA offices in Belfast, Edinburgh or Manchester.
Additionally:
- we aim to offer secondees a range of work suitable for their level of experience and to provide training as part of the role, Our secondments last for 6 months with 2 intakes annually on a rolling basis. The CMA will contribute a flat rate to the cost of secondees, with further details available on request
Firms that would like to put candidates forward should email a CV and covering letter for each candidate by 31 January 2025 to Simon Harms, Rebecca Saunders, John Kwan and Victoria Agu (contact details below).
As part of their covering letter, candidates should confirm that they are able to start their secondment from 7 April 2025 for a 6-month period.
Candidates should also express any preference for particular types of work within the CMA which we will do our best to accommodate, including with a view to maximising a firm's exposure to different CMA tools among their associates seconded over time.
Candidates should be available to have a meeting or call with the CMA during the weeks of either 3 February 2025 or 10 February 2025 to discuss the secondment.
Please note we will not consider applications via agencies.
Please also note that secondees will have to satisfy the Civil Service nationality rules.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the benefits of the programme, please contact any of Simon Harms, Rebecca Saunders, John Kwan or Victoria Agu.
For more information on the CMA's updated strategic framework and areas of focus for 2025 to 2026, read our draft annual plan.
Contact details for secondment programme queries:
Simon Harms, Legal Director Simon.Harms@cma.gov.uk
Rebecca Saunders, Legal Director Rebecca.Saunders@cma.gov.uk
John Kwan, Assistant Legal Director John.Kwan@cma.gov.uk
Victoria Agu, Legal Adviser Victoria.Agu@cma.gov.uk