Lawyer in Edinburgh

Locations: Edinburgh, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Working Pattern: Full Time

Number of Openings: 1

Apply Before: 01/25/2026, 11:59 PM

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your legal, project management and client relations skills, working as part of a team in a complex, high-profile and challenging area? We are looking for a lawyer to join the Housing Branch of Economy and Social Protections Division (ESP). The Housing Branch provides legal advice to the Better Homes and More Homes Divisions in the Directorate for Local Government and Housing. We also advise the Directorate for Cladding Remediation. With a housing emergency being declared both by the Scottish Parliament and numerous local authorities, the branch advises on many of the most topical political and legal issues in Scotland. The branch is currently working on the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.

ESP Division is an exciting, friendly, supportive and inclusive place to work. In addition to the Housing Branch, the Division also comprises the Local Government, Fair Work & Consumer Advocacy Branch, Economy and Culture Branch, and the four branches that make up the Social Security Legal Services Unit. There may well be opportunities for cross-branch working as the work of the Branch often intersects with that of the other branches, and all members of the Division are encouraged to work flexibly and to take responsibility for implementation of corporate initiatives across the Division.

Responsibilities:

• Advising on the implementation of the tenants’ rights provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 including provisions restricting eviction and giving tenants the right to request a pet and make changes to their home. The project will involve drafting subordinate legislation and working closely with policy colleagues, PCO, LSLA and Ministers.
• Leading on, and co‑ordinating, SGLD’s advice on the Scottish Government response to the housing emergency. This project will include providing advice to policy colleagues on funding arrangements and other policy initiatives to increase the supply of affordable housing and reduce the reliance on temporary housing, especially for children.
• Leading on SGLD’s advice on the regulation of mobile homes. This will include providing advice on the operation of the Mobile Homes Act 1983, the transition of mobile homes litigation from the sheriff court to the First‑Tier Tribunal and working with colleagues in SGLD litigation on the Scottish Ministers’ defence of a judicial review of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 on grounds that it fails to provide adequate security of tenure for gypsy travellers.

Qualifications:

You must be a solicitor or advocate entitled to practice in Scotland.

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:

• A sound understanding of public and administrative law in Scotland including confidence working with legislation and a knowledge of human rights law.
• An ability to organise the workload of the role in a flexible way so as to manage risk and respond to competing priorities.

Experience:

Proven track record of providing high quality legal advice in complex areas.

Behaviours:

Communicating and influencing - Level 4.

Apply 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.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 9 February 2026, however this may be subject to change.

About us:

The 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, 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.

Our 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 checks:

Successful 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).

Equality statement:

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Apply before: 25 January 2026 (23:59)

This role is open to internal candidates, OGD and Common Citizenship organisations only.