Law Clerk to the Lord President & Law Clerk to the Inner House

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Edinburgh

Starting Salary from: £61,220 per annum

Fixed term for 1 year (with possible extension for two further 1-year terms)

Scottish Courts & Tribunal Service (SCTS) is a great place to work, learn and develop. 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.

These legally qualified positions offer talented lawyers a unique opportunity to work closely with the most senior judge in Scotland, the Lord President, and the senior judiciary in the Extra Division of the Court of Session. These positions enable law clerks to see at close quarters how the Inner House of the Court of Session and the Criminal Appeal Court operate and get insight into how appeals are decided at the highest level in Scotland. This involves working at the pinnacle of the judicial system in Scotland.

The post-holder will assist the Lord President and the Extra Division, respectively, in the performance of their judicial functions, including assisting in the preparation for civil and criminal appeal hearings, noting arguments presented in court and preparing draft text suitable for possible inclusion in the Opinions of the appellate divisions of the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary. Each post-holder will also carry out rigorous legal research and analysis on legal arguments, often in high profile and landmark cases. They will prepare briefing notes on the findings and conclusions of research and analysis. The post holder will prepare other documents, including summaries of forthcoming cases for publication on the SCTS website and research papers for conferences. They will also be responsible for writing speeches for the Lord President and Inner House judges for any official engagements which they may carry out.

Working as a law clerk is regarded highly by law firms, the Faculty of Advocates and other employers. Our law clerks have typically gone on to have successful careers at the Faculty and as in house lawyers in the public sector.

For your application to be considered you must be in possession of an Honours Scots law degree (2:1 or above) and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.

The Key Responsibilities Include:

• Produces written work of a very high standard and, in particular, writes clearly, accurately and concisely and without mistakes.
• Undertakes written work with meticulous attention to detail.
• Carries out legal research to a very high standard.
• Takes detailed and accurate notes of the arguments presented at hearings.
• Prepares draft text to assist with judicial preparation of cases, including an accurate and accessible narration of the facts, procedural history and legal arguments of the parties.
• Monitors legal and legislative developments with a view to summarising these for the assistance of the Lord President.
• Prepares summaries of cases in which judicial members of the Inner House, as appropriate, are due to sit based on the documentation lodged in court.
• Prepares summaries of forthcoming civil appeals for publication on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service’s website.
• Carries out such other legal and administrative tasks as may be allocated by the Lord President and the judges of the Extra Division, as appropriate.
• Works with the Law Clerk to the Lord Justice Clerk and the Law Clerk to the Sheriff Appeal Court in the provision of the key responsibilities above mentioned and in such other legal and administrative tasks as may be allocated by the Lord President as appropriate.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the job holders may be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post, including the preparation of civil and criminal work for the Lord Justice Clerk and the Sheriff Appeal Court.

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:

• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 2 years’ service) plus 12 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
• A supportive and professional induction programme with regular check-ins with your line manager
• Job stability and security with excellent and varied career prospects
• Security of full pay when unwell (up to a maximum of 6 months)
• Learning and development (including digital) opportunities

SCTS is committed to equality and diversity in employment and service delivery. 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.

To apply please visit our website.

Closing date: 19 April 2026.

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.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.