Legal Traineeship GHI

Job summary

Are you looking for a legal traineeship that offers responsibility from an early stage, exposure to complex casework and the opportunity to make a real contribution to Scotland's justice system?

COPFS is seeking ambitious and motivated aspiring solicitors to join our Grampian, Highland and Islands (GH&I) Legal Traineeship Programme commencing in August 2028.

The GH&I Traineeship provides a unique opportunity to train within one of Scotland's most geographically diverse prosecution areas. Working alongside experienced prosecutors and legal professionals, you will develop the skills, knowledge and judgement required for a successful legal career while contributing to the fair and effective administration of justice.

Job description

As part of a small trainee cohort, you can expect:

• Exposure to a broad range of prosecution work.
• Opportunities to work closely with experienced Procurators Fiscal and legal professionals.
• Experience across specialist and local court functions.
• Insight into criminal justice issues affecting communities across the north of Scotland.
• Practical advocacy and court experience within a supportive learning environment.
• Structured supervision, training and professional development throughout your traineeship.

Trainees will normally spend the initial part of their traineeship within a specialist function before moving into local court operations where they will develop practical prosecution skills and experience life as a Procurator Fiscal Depute.

Person specification

Applicants must have completed, or be able to demonstrate completion before the traineeship start date, of:

• A Scots Law LLB (or equivalent qualification recognised by the Law Society of Scotland)
• Diploma in Professional Legal Practice
• Entrance Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland

Applications from individuals qualifying through alternative routes approved by the Law Society of Scotland will also be considered.

Qualifications

Applicants must have completed, or be able to evidence completion prior to the traineeship start date, of:
• A Scots Law LLB (or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Law Society of Scotland -Qualifying as a Scottish solicitor , Law Society of Scotland);
• A Diploma in Professional Legal Practice
• An Entrance Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland
Applicants who have qualified, or are qualifying, through an alternative route approved by the Law Society of Scotland will be considered.

• Analysis of information, identifying key issues and reaching evidence-based conclusions
• Ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and respectfully both verbally and in writing and across a range of audiences from defence agents and the Police to members of the public, victims and witnesses of crime
• Managing competing priorities and delivering work to deadlines
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team within busy, dynamic, and challenging environments
• Adapting to changing circumstances and learning new skills or knowledge

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Understanding of the role of COPFS within Scotland's criminal justice system
• Understanding of key criminal justice principles and the role of prosecution in the public interest
• Ability to apply legal knowledge and reasoning to practical situations
• Ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and accurately, adapting communication style to suit the audience
• Demonstrable commitment to a career in law and professional development

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,936, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contributes £10,120 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:

• 25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 2 years).
• Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 28.97% of your pay
• Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work.
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loans.
• Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

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 Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

For full details on the traineeship, eligibility requirements and assessment process, please refer to the application pack.

COPFS is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to attracting talented people from all backgrounds.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo an enhanced (or equivalent) criminal record check.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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : Recruitment
• Email : recruitment@copfs.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@copfs.gov.uk

Attachments

Legal Traineeship (GHI) Application Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 418kB)