The Government is trawling City firms for a suitable candidate to fill the post of Treasury Solicitor.
And in what is believed to be an unprecedented drive to bring in a high calibre lawyer from outside, it has instructed headhunters to assist in the search.
Sources say highflying lawyers with litigation and public law experience have been approached to take up the position, which is also being advertised.
As well as acting as chief executive to the Treasury Solicitors' Department the successful candidate will head a team of 1,200 lawyers in the Government Legal Service.
The opening comes with the retirement of the current Treasury Solicitor Sir Anthony Hammond in July. Hammond, who was knighted in December, took up the post in 1997. Prior to this he was solicitor and director-general of legal services in the Department of Trade and Industry.
To date, all holders of the office, which is normally held for two to three years and commands a salary of £125,000, have been appointed from within the government legal service.
A spokesman for the Attorney General's office said that it had advertised externally for the post once before, in 1995. But on that occasion Hammond's predecessor Michael Saunders was appointed from within.
The spokesman said the Government had not ruled out an internal appointment on this occasion.
However, the decision to hire headhunters suggests that the Government is anxious to find a placement in the City, who would instil a more commercial ethos in the department.
Sources say it would not be an easy job for an outsider.
One litigation partner at a City firm said. "It will definitely be a challenge – there are a number of very experienced and high calibre individuals in the Treasury Solicitor's department. It is a difficult job to walk into without any experience of working in the Government Legal Service."
Another partner said: "They are looking for someone who is prepared to take a major pay cut in order to take on a very important job."
One partner who is being touted as a possible candidate is Allen & Overy's head of litigation, David Mackie QC, although he said he had not been approached.
The move to appoint from outside is seen as part of the Government's overall drive for civil service reform.
As part of the 'modernisation' of Government, the Treasury Solicitor's office has already undergone a radical overhaul in the last two to three years.
The department is now an executive agency and the Treasury Solicitor is the chief executive of the agency reporting to the Attorney General.