Part Time Lawyer

Solicitor

Disabled candidates and candidates with care experience, who satisfy the essential criteria for the post, will be invited for interview.

Overview

The Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland, established by the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2003, promotes and safeguards the rights of children and young people under 18 (or up to 21 for those with care experience).

Incorporating the UNCRC into Scots law places the Commissioner at the leading edge of child rights strategic litigation.

The role is an exciting opportunity to shape the development of Scots law and drive real systemic improvements in children’s lives.

Responsibilities

• Exercise the Commissioner’s new strategic litigation power brought in by the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 and other statutory powers.
• Use litigation powers to deliver real impact on issues such as mental health settings, best interests in eviction actions, access to justice in the tribunal system, and children’s rights in criminal law proceedings.
• Conduct swift and robust human‑rights analysis of cases, draft submissions, instruct agents and counsel, and directly represent the Commissioner where appropriate.
• Advise on and exercise the Commissioner’s statutory functions, including investigation powers, drafting terms of reference, carrying out investigations and reporting.
• Work directly with children and young people to gain their views, including through the Young Advisers Group.
• Represent the office in public arenas.
• Maintain and develop relationships and networks with stakeholders, including the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government, international organisations and civil society.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, policy and professional standards.
• Monitor relevant case law domestically and internationally.
• Any other duties as reasonably required by the Commissioner or Head of Legal.

Qualifications

• Hold or be eligible to immediately apply for a valid Practising Certificate as a solicitor in Scotland.
• Minimum seven years post‑qualification experience as a solicitor in a relevant area of law.
• Experience of high‑gravity litigation, including at least one of: public law/instructing judicial reviews; instructing cases in the Court of Session and/or Edinburgh agency work; conducting complex child law proofs and appeals.
• Ability to analyse potential cases against a human‑rights framework referencing the Commissioner’s statutory functions.
• Experience in the use of appropriate technology, e. g. electronic case‑management systems and Microsoft 365.
• Commitment to a rights‑based approach to work, particularly meaningful participation of children and young people.
• Experience of public law.
• Experience of undertaking strategic litigation.
• Broader understanding of international law as it affects children and young people.
• Experience of working with key stakeholders: Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government, international organisations, or civil society.
• Experience of working with children and young people.
• Knowledge, understanding and/or experience of the office’s work.

Benefits

• Competitive salary (GBP 50,000 – 60,000 per year).
• Access to Civil Service Alpha Pension Scheme (employer contribution 28.97%).
• 30 days annual leave plus 11.5 observed public holidays.
• Flexible working policies.
• Enhanced wellbeing initiatives, including Healthy Living Allowance and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Legal and EEO Statement

*Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long‑term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day‑to‑day activities. *Care‑experience includes anyone who has ever been looked after in local authority care (for instance if you have been in foster care/kinship care/residential care, or have been looked after at home on a compulsory order).

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