Job Description

Do you have excellent attention to detail and the confidence to advise and assist colleagues and Ministers at all levels?   

The Government Legal Service for Scotland (GLSS) has lawyer posts which will be suitable to be filled by newly qualified solicitors, completing their traineeships in Autumn 2026.  

The GLSS consists of  legal offices that provide legal services to central government in Scotland (in particular the Scottish Government and the UK Government) and offers one of the most varied careers in law.   

Lawyers within the GLSS are employed by the Scottish Government but may be assigned to any of the GLSS legal offices. The legal work you will be doing will be wide-ranging, covering a whole breadth of topics. It will be varied, challenging, high profile and topical – frequently gaining media attention. Providing legal advice to government is unique and intellectually demanding. It is also rewarding, enjoyable and carried out in a supportive environment.  

Responsibilities

• Providing legal advice which may include drafting statutory instruments, instructing Bills, instructing litigation including inquiries, and commercial law as required (including attendance before Scottish Parliament committees where required).  
• Assessing lawfulness and legal risk, making recommendations to mitigate and manage legal risk as part of your role in providing legal advice.  
• Working collaboratively and flexibly with and supporting other lawyers including, where appropriate, providing peer support.  
• Undertaking in depth legal analysis to inform careful legal judgments, with support as appropriate.   
• Communicating effectively with colleagues across government, building strong, collaborative working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders and conveying complex issues clearly and concisely.  

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a valid restricted practising certificate issued by the Law Society of Scotland and be on course to complete their traineeship in Autumn 2026.  

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Technical / Professional Skills:

• 1. Strong legal skills applicable, or transferable, to public law in Scotland.  
• 2. Ability to conduct sound legal analysis taking account of multiple sources of information and data.  

Behaviours: 

• Making Effective Decisions - Level 4  
• Working Together - Level 4  
• Delivering at Pace - Level 4  
• Communicating and Influencing - Level 4
  

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here:  Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

How to applyApply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 15/06 however this may be subject to change.

Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases. About usThe Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules
Working patternOur standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security checksSuccessful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
Equality statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.  Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. This post is open to Internal Scottish Government candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only. Please apply before - 23:59 - 01/06/26