Advocate Depute

Job summary

About the Role:

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is seeking experienced applicants to take on the role of Advocate Depute.

This is a rare opportunity to operate at the forefront of Scotland’s criminal justice system, leading High Court prosecutions, shaping complex case strategy and contributing to decisions of significant public interest.

If you bring strong advocacy experience, sound judgement in high-stakes cases, and a commitment to fairness and public confidence, we’d like to hear from you.

Additional Information:

If you would be interested to learn more about this role, please see our application pack on our website for further job details, salary information and assessment guidance.

Job description

As an Advocate Depute, you will be a member of a team of
independent Crown Counsel acting under the direct authority
of the Lord Advocate. The cadre operates alongside COPFS
and is characterised by a distinct constitutional and
operational position: office bearers hold commission at the
pleasure of the Lord Advocate rather than as employees.

You will be operating at the most senior level of prosecution,
exercising independent professional judgement on cases of
the highest gravity, complexity and public interest. The role
extends beyond individual casework, to contributing to the
effective operation of Scotland’s prosecution system,
supporting public confidence in the administration of justice
and upholding the constitutional responsibilities of the Lord
Advocate.

The role combines high-level advocacy in the High Court with
strategic case preparation, legal decision-making, and
advisory responsibilities in complex and sensitive matters.

For specific role duties, please see our application pack on our website.

Person specification

We are looking for applicants who combine legal excellence with the judgement and professional authority required to operate at
the forefront of Scotland’s criminal justice system. You will have a track record of handling complex and high stakes work and be
comfortable making difficult decisions in cases where there may be significant legal, evidential, or public interest considerations.

You will demonstrate independence of thought, sound judgement and the confidence to take and stand by decisions in the interests
of justice, even where these may be subject to scrutiny or challenge. A clear appreciation of the wider impact of prosecutorial
decisions is essential, as is the ability to contribute to maintaining public trust and confidence in the fairness, consistency and
integrity of the system.

You may be required to deliver a presentation at interview. This will assess your advocacy skills, critical thinking, and legal analysis.
Further detail on this will be included in your invite to interview letter

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of criminal advocacy at High Court (or equivalent) level, including conducting complex and serious
cases
• Demonstrable experience of making high-stakes legal decisions involving complex, sensitive, or finely balanced evidential
and public interest considerations
• Proven ability to analyse and synthesise complex evidential material and legal issues to reach sound, defensible decisions
• Experience of handling cases subject to significant scrutiny (e.g. public, media, or stakeholder interest)
• Ability to operate independently while managing competing pressures and maintaining professional objectivity

Memberships

• Member of the Faculty of Advocates or Solicitor-Advocate with extended rights of audience in the High Court

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Demonstrable expertise in legal analysis, prosecutorial decision-making and application of evidential and public interest tests
• Ability to develop and articulate clear prosecution strategies in complex cases
• Strong understanding of the role of COPFS within the Scottish Criminal Justice System and the responsibilities of the Lord Advocate

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.Please see our application pack on our website for full details.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : AD Support Team
• Email : ADSupportTeam@copfs.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@copfs.gov.uk

Further information

Please our application pack on our website for full details.

https://www.copfs.gov.uk/about-copfs/careers/