Vacancy: Solicitor – Inverness

We are seeking to recruit a solicitor (Grade 6) for the CLAO Highlands and Islands office for a fixed term of 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who already has a track record of excelling at civil litigation work, as well as for newly or recently qualified solicitors looking to develop these skills in a highly rewarding work environment. It’s an exciting time to join our service and help shape how we deliver holistic legal services to rural and island communities and the wider Client Legal Services Directorate.

Note that whilst the role is to assist the Highlands and Islands team, it may be based within any of our offices.

Essential criteria

• sound knowledge of the civil justice system and legal aid legislation
• existing civil court experience and strong advocacy skills
• experience of at least one of the following: child law (children’s hearings, child protection, permanence & adoption, section 11 orders); housing (eviction, mortgage repossession, disrepair); homelessness, mental health, Adults with incapacity (AWI), debt and/or benefit appeals
• experience of working with vulnerable client groups, for example children, women experiencing domestic abuse, people experiencing mental health problems or offenders
• highly developed communication skills
• strong client/customer awareness
• organised with the ability to work well under pressure whilst dealing with often urgent and complex casework
• ability to work independently, seeking assistance and guidance from peers and managers appropriately
• knowledge of IT in a day-to-day legal context including use of Microsoft applications, email, time and case recording
• excellent legal research skills
• self-motivated with strong planning and organisational skills
• a full, current, valid driving licence.

Desirable criteria

• trauma-informed accreditation
• experience in or knowledge of voluntary sector advice provision
• experience in developing or providing training
• robust IT skills including the ability to use IT to self-generate work material effectively and efficiently
• good awareness and understanding of equalities and diversity issues.

How to apply

Full details about the role and an online application are available through our recruitment portal (external link).

About CLAO

The Civil Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) is a network of publicly funded court solicitors and support staff employed by the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB). We help people with their civil law problems by providing advice and representation to legally aided clients within our core areas of work. In addition, we operate a referral service to other providers of legal assistance and offer second tier support and training to advice organisations. Our work involves developing partnership links and project work with local and national organisations operating within the geographical areas we cover.

We are part of SLAB’s Client Legal Services Directorate which comprises CLAO, the Public Defence Solicitors’ Office (PDSO) and the Solicitor Contact Line (SCL), making us Scotland’s largest multi-disciplinary legal aid practice and a unique place to work.