Don't worry if you missed our excellent "Meet the Parliamentary Counsel" event for applicants earlier this week - we are running the event again on Wednesday 20th December! Join us to find out what it's really like to work at OPC - register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

We will be running a final online application workshop session at 5pm next Tuesday 19th December. This is an interactive session where we will be discussing our selection criteria and offering advice about the application process. Sign up here:  forms.gle/dT8YPRYSJBvK3E…

Our word of the month is "reindeer", which is specified as a "dangerous wild animal" in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. There is an exception for "domestic reindeer" - does that exception include reindeer with "a very shiny nose"...?

Congratulations to my former colleague David Sprackling who has been recognised in #NY24Honours for his decades of dedicated public service ParliamentaryCounsel. #CabinetOffice

Are you looking for a new challenge this year? Applications for the role of Assistant Parliamentary Counsel close at the end of this week!

Thank you to everyone who has applied to join ParliamentaryCounsel . We have had a fantastic response to our recruitment campaign and look forward to reading your applications.

Welcome to Louise Finucane, who has recently joined ParliamentaryCounsel and brings a wealth of experience from OPC in Canberra.

Our word of the month this month is another word making its legislative debut in the Online Safety Act - "bot". It isn't defined by the Act, but is included in the meaning of "automated tool" in section 236.

We are very sad that Elizabeth has decided to retire as First Parliamentary Counsel. We are now seeking her successor - an exceptional leader, able to manage delivery of the legislative programme. Apply by 28 February - click here for more information: civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi?…

We paid a visit to civil service colleagues in Number 10 last week to play "Legislate?!" - the OPC board game which teaches players all about the legislative process. It was great to discuss everyone's experiences of working on legislation - we all learned a lot from each other!

Last week, we were delighted to host H.E. Ahmad Saeed Bin Meshar, Secretary General of The Supreme Legislation Committee of the Government of Dubai and his colleagues for a wide-ranging discussion about drafting, office structures and capability building.

The new edition of our drafting guidance is now available! If you would like to take a look, you can find it here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/660407d0…

Our word of the month is "chocolate", which appears 8 times in primary legislation (most unexpectedly, in the name of the "Chocolate Express Omnibus Company, Limited" who are listed in the London Passenger Transport Act 1933 as undertakers of a "passenger transport undertaking"!)

We are delighted to announce that Jessica de Mounteney has been appointed as the new First Parliamentary Counsel! She will take over from Elizabeth when Elizabeth retires at the end of April. You can read more about Jessica's appointment here: gov.uk/government/new…

Our word of the month is “GIF” which appears three times in the Online Safety Act 2023. It’s not defined in the Act, but “GIF” stands for “graphics interchange format” – a format for encoding images which enables them to be displayed, stored and transmitted between networks.

It’s a very exciting day for OPC today – it’s Jessica de Mounteney’s (Jessica de Mounteney) first day as First Parliamentary Counsel! Good luck in your new role, Jessica - we can’t wait to see what the future brings for OPC under your leadership.

Four of our Parliamentary Counsel attended #CALCJamaica last week- Luke Norbury and Andrew Wright gave a presentation on maximising quality in drafting

Our word of the month is “wash-up” in relation to the dissolution of Parliament. It refers to the last few days before dissolution when bills that are before Parliament are either progressed quickly by agreement or they are lost. Definitely more exciting than doing the dishes!

After 5 wonderful years as Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs at 10 Downing Street, and over a decade in Westminster, my time working in Government has come to an end and a new challenge awaits. It has been an honour and the privilege of a lifetime to work in No.10.

Topical word(s) of the month for July: "Olympic symbol", meaning "the symbol of the International Olympic Committee, consisting of five interlocking rings". The symbol was given special trade mark protection by the Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995.