Working for the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel: Neil Shah
Updated 7 July 2023
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I joined the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) in 2019 after over 10 years at the Family Bar.
Prior to that my only encounter with OPC had been a brief talk given by two members of the office at my university over a decade earlier. But it stuck with me. OPC seemed like such a fascinating place to work that I always had in the back of my mind that I might – one day – apply. So, when I saw a role advertised, I knew I had to take the chance.
Moving from the Bar was not easy. The transition from self-employed to employed and from focusing on one area of law to dealing with many was a significant change (and a bit of a culture shock!). But OPC puts on a full training programme for its new drafters and offers regular opportunities for learning and development.
The fact that, as Parliamentary Counsel, your job is that of a specialist drafter and not a specialist in any area of law naturally means that you are forced to get to grips with new areas (many that you will never have encountered before) very quickly and, at times, simultaneously. This, for me, is one of the hardest parts of the role but also one of the most rewarding. The variety of my work is a genuine joy that I could never have hoped to have experienced in private practice.
To illustrate, since joining the office I have worked on Bills on a broad range of topics including corporate insolvency, Northern Ireland, building safety, taxis and private hire vehicles and regulating the internet.
Parliamentary Counsel also play a significant role in the process of getting a Bill through Parliament – and we are often the first port of call when the government needs advice on parliamentary procedure. We have good working relationships with government departments and the parliamentary authorities which reflects the collaborative way in which we work.
Working at OPC has been, without doubt, the most demanding and challenging legal job I’ve ever had. But it has also been the most intellectually stimulating. Knowing that what you write may become the law of the land is a daunting yet humbling thought. It is a unique role which requires patience, persistence and a real eye for detail. It has been both immensely difficult and incredibly satisfying - in equal measure.