Legal Adviser

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service provided pay range. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Joining SCTS means that you are joining an organisation that plays a key role in the administration of justice. We fulfil our purpose by providing the people, buildings and services needed to support the judiciary, the courts, devolved tribunals and the office of the public guardian (OPG). Our work focuses on improving access to justice, reducing delay and cost within the justice system, modernising our services in line with reform, and using leading technology to improve our services for everyone.

Are you a qualified solicitor or advocate with a passion for justice and public service? This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact in Scotland’s courts. We are looking for a Legal Adviser within the South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway Sheriffdom to play a vital role in ensuring the interests of justice are met within the Justice of the Peace Courts. In this unique and rewarding position you will work closely with SCTS business partners, members of the public and legal professionals providing expert advice and supporting the smooth delivery of court service. The role is part time for 21 hours per week. Preferred days are Monday to Wednesday.

The Legal Adviser role includes:

• Provide accurate, impartial legal and procedural advice to Justices (JPs)
• Work alongside senior managers to help deliver an excellent service within your sheriffdom’s Justice of the Peace courts
• Take an active role in supporting and training Justices
• Engage with a range of stakeholders from legal professionals to members of the public maintaining fairness and integrity in all interactions
• Proactively support the court business team in responding to service demands and evolving priorities

To be considered for this role you must be admitted as a solicitor or advocate in Scotland (and hold, or could obtain, a current unrestricted practising certificate from the Law Society of Scotland). To help direct us towards achieving our purpose successfully, we embrace three key values of respect, service and excellence. These guide our behaviour, decisions and actions - in pursuit of fulfilling our purpose to the highest standard.

Our benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 days after 4 years’ service) plus 11.5 public and privilege holidays
• Special leave and paid leave for study or voluntary public service
• Excellent Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Family friendly policies
• Free and confidential Employee Assistance
• A variety of staff discounts and offers with major retailers
• Payment of professional membership fees
• Access to opportunities across all Civil Service departments that are not available to non-Civil Servants
• Security of full pay when unwell (up to a maximum of 6 months)
• Learning and development (including digital) opportunities

The work of SCTS covers a broader range of issues than you may think. In providing support to Scotland’s courts, devolved tribunals and the OPG, we touch the lives of many people on a daily basis – be that through formal court or tribunal business, fulfilling your civic duty as a juror, paying fees or fines, seeking help in managing the affairs of an incapable adult or dealing with the estate of a loved one who has passed away. SCTS deals with over a quarter of a million cases and applications each year. Behind each one of these is an individual – looking to the system to help them assert their rights, address wrongs or provide support in a time of need. It is this work – which takes place every day in our courts, tribunals and administrative centres across Scotland – that consumes most of the time, energy and skill of our staff. We take pride in working as one team and providing high levels of service to all those who use the courts, tribunals and OPG. We are always looking to improve the services we provide – through innovation and development.

Closing date: Tuesday 1 July 2025. Interviews are expected to be held week beginning 14 July 2025.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is exempt from the protections of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This permits us to ask applicants details of both spent and unspent convictions, along with details of any formal cautions that you may have. Individuals without existing security clearance will always be considered as all successful applicants will require a standard level Disclosure check completed before employment can commence.

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting us at recruitment@scotcourts.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.