EDUCATION

LITIGATION WHERE WILL YOUR CHOICES TAKE YOU? CONTRACT

PUBLIC TRANSPORT LAW

HUMAN RIGHTS

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMMIGRATION

HEALTH

GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE FOR SCOTLAND

WHY WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO BE A GLSS LAWYER?

I HAVE BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED The Government Legal Service for Scotland (GLSS) Our career structure takes lawyers away from narrow IN THE INSTRUCTION OF A BILL offers lawyers a stimulating and unique career specialisation and places an emphasis on a broad range IN MY SECOND SEAT. THIS MEANT at the heart of government. of transferable skills and personal development. In the SCRUTINISING INSTRUCTIONS GLSS our lawyers usually move post every few years, FROM POLICY COLLEAGUES AND Our traineeships provide opportunities to make changing subject matter and clients and developing DRAFTING LEGAL INSTRUCTIONS a difference, and the start to a career in law that a range of legal skills. SO THE BILL PROVISIONS COULD cannot be found anywhere else. BE DRAFTED. BEING INVOLVED IN The GLSS is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive FORMING FUTURE LEGISLATION IS We deal with big questions, the answers to which government legal service and ensuring that equality and UNIQUE TO THE GLSS TRAINEESHIP. determine the future of Scotland and the UK and inclusion remains at the heart of how we operate, including WE ARE GIVEN A HIGH LEVEL OF have a tangible effect on people’s lives. how we recruit and train new lawyers. RESPONSIBILITY AND I FEEL OUR ADVICE IS TRULY VALUED. THE As part of our team, the essence of your work will be We want our appointments to reflect the people EXPERIENCE ALSO PREPARES to further the public interest and uphold the rule of law. of Scotland and welcome applications from US FOR HAVING RESPONSIBILITY under-represented groups. We recently ran a “taster day”, FOR A BILL, FROM START TO FINISH, Our advice helps shape policies and legislation. which was specifically aimed at raising awareness of ONCE WE’RE QUALIFIED. Depending on where you are placed, you could be our traineeships among law students who are disabled Kayleigh Blair first year trainee advising on anything from immigration to education, or come from minority ethnic or socio-economically from criminal justice to health, or from transport to the disadvantaged backgrounds, and we plan to organise environment, with public law forming a constant backdrop. similar events in future.

If you are passionate about litigation, you could join our The government also runs a number of staff networks, lawyers in running some of the most high-profile cases in including networks for under-represented groups, for Scotland, with opportunities to take cases all the way to colleagues to meet others and share experiences. the Supreme Court. GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE FOR SCOTLAND

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Due to the ever-changing political environment, the nature Overall, a commitment to working in the public interest of the work can be fast-paced and subject to constant and the desire to be challenged are key. change. That means we need lawyers who are adaptable, flexible and able to respond to the issues of the day. As a GLSS lawyer you are also part of the civil service and your work and experience will reflect the Scottish Highly developed problem-solving and analytical skills Government’s core values to: are essential for the work that we do. The advice you l treat all our people with kindness, provide will require you to have an understanding of the dignity and compassion; devolution settlement, as well as the political environment l respect the rule of law; and and the relationship between the various jurisdictions l act in an open and transparent way. within the UK.

Good team working skills are essential. You will be working alongside other lawyers in the GLSS and often as part of a wider team with policy colleagues working towards a shared goal, whether it is the introduction of a Bill or the drafting of a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI). Our lawyers must be self-aware and able to appreciate the wider needs of the team and the wider goals of the government as a whole.

In order to provide effective legal advice to policy teams and Ministers, strong communication skills are important. LIKE MOST TRAINEES, I SPENT SIX MONTHS ON SECONDMENT TO A COMMERCIAL LAW FIRM. I ALSO SPENT SIX MONTHS WORKING FOR TRANSPORT SCOTLAND, AND ANOTHER SIX MONTHS WITH A UK GOVERNMENT LITIGATION DEPARTMENT. MOVING BETWEEN THESE ROLES HAS GIVEN ME A VALUABLE SENSE OF PERSPECTIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT PRACTICE AREAS I ENJOY, AND WHAT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ARE OUT THERE. Niall Wilson second year trainee GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE FOR SCOTLAND

WHAT IS THE GLSS?

The Government Legal Service for Scotland (GLSS) is a community of lawyers in government in Scotland which exists in order to: l provide shared services to member offices, associate offices and their legal staff; l promote contacts, share information and develop skills and knowledge among lawyers in its member offices and associate offices; and l raise awareness of the roles of lawyers in government.

Members The member offices of the GLSS are those offices (other than associate offices) staffed by lawyers employed by the Scottish Government. The Office of the Solicitor to the Scottish Parliament is currently the only associate office of the GLSS.

The current member offices are: l Scottish Government Legal Directorate (including the Legal Secretariat to the Lord Advocate) l Office of the Advocate General (including Legal Secretariat to the Advocate General) l Scottish Law Commission l Civil Recovery Unit, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service l Lord President’s Private Office l Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry l Revenue Scotland l Edinburgh Tram Inquiry l Crofting Commission l Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE FOR SCOTLAND

KNOWLEDGE

TRAINING

MY FIRST SEAT AS A TRAINEE WAS WITH THE OFFICE DISCOVER OF THE ADVOCATE GENERAL. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO LONDON FOR A CONFERENCE AND THEN TO WORK IN THE LEGAL SECRETARIAT TO THE ADVOCATE GENERAL’S OFFICE BASED IN DOVER HOUSE. THIS WAS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON GOVERNMENT WORK AND A TRUE BENEFIT OF THE TRAINEESHIP WITH THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT IS THAT THERE ARE WIDE OPPORTUNITIES. Ruth Swanson first year trainee

EXPERIENCE LEARN GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE FOR SCOTLAND

LOOKING BACK AT THE TRAINEESHIP, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STANDS OUT FOR ME IS THE WIDE RANGE OF EXPERIENCE I HAVE HAD OVER THE DIFFERENT SEATS I’VE BEEN IN. AS WELL AS BEING INVOLVED IN DRAFTING CONTRACTS, ADVISING ON PROPERTY AND FAMILY LAW AND ASSISTING WITH NEW LEGISLATION WITHIN THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT FOR EXAMPLE, I’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR IN COURT WHILE ON SECONDMENT TO PRIVATE PRACTICE, AND TO ADVISE UK GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHILE WORKING IN THE OFFICE OF THE ADVOCATE GENERAL, TO NAME JUST A FEW. Martin Brown second year trainee GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE FOR SCOTLAND

WHAT IS THE TRAINEESHIP LIKE?

The GLSS offers one of the most varied and rewarding Training covers a wide range of legal work, from core traineeships available. We offer unique opportunities for professional areas – including contract, litigation and trainees to be involved at the cutting edge of public law. public and administrative law – to specialist advisory work for the government. You can also expect to become Your traineeship will comprise four seats each lasting familiar with the development, drafting and implementation for six months. of new law, which are core elements of the work of the GLSS. Usually two or three of those seats will be based within SGLD, the largest GLSS body, working directly Most trainee seats are based at government offices in for the government of Scotland. Seats are also available Edinburgh, but could also include working in Glasgow, at OAG – one of the other GLSS offices. the Scottish Parliament (if based in OSSP) or in private sector offices in a variety of locations. Currently the LSLA and SLC do not offer traineeship seats but opportunities for secondment to their offices Every trainee is a valuable member of their team and are available to lawyers after they qualify. will be given their own projects to work on, with a strong network of support and training. This could involve giving Trainees could have the opportunity to go to the Office of formal advice to Ministers, drafting subordinate legislation, the Solicitor to the Scottish Parliament (OSSP). This seat or working on high-profile litigation. From early on, you gives trainees experience of providing legal advice on will be a point of contact for clients. As a GLSS trainee parliamentary matters. you will be constantly challenged, making our traineeship one of the best in terms of preparing you for life as a You could also find yourself spending six months at a qualified lawyer. private law firm. This is a great opportunity to gain legal experience outside of government and find out more about Do you feel strongly about contributing to your community? the operation of a law firm which works closely with SGLD. Staff in the government are encouraged to do voluntary work and the GLSS supports its qualified lawyers and trainees to use their legal training to serve the community in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau. GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE FOR SCOTLAND

BEING SUPPORTED THE PRACTICALITIES

MY CURRENT SEAT IN TRANSPORT At the GLSS we place emphasis on management support, We usually take on between six and eight trainees SCOTLAND IS THE ONLY ONE BASED mentoring and flexible team working. per year. Although offers of posts following qualification IN GLASGOW AND OUR SMALL cannot be guaranteed, in recent years we have retained TEAM OF LEGAL ADVISORS SITS Our trainees are responsible for their own work but all of our trainees. AMONG CLIENTS WHICH IS A REAL will never lack support. Each is line managed by an ADVANTAGE. THERE ARE ALSO experienced lawyer who offers guidance and supports the We otherwise recruit lawyers as appropriate and are PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES personal and professional development of their trainee. always looking for people with experience from across TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH the legal profession. EDINBURGH COLLEAGUES Besides the expertise and experience of our lawyers, THROUGH FLEXIBLE WORKING, we have an extensive legal library including access If you would like any further information about any aspect TRAINING SESSIONS AND to a wide range of online resources and a dedicated of a traineeship with the GLSS, please email us at SOCIALISING. WE GET INVOLVED team of support staff. [email protected] IN VARIOUS PROJECTS FROM ROAD ORDERS, TO RAILWAY FRANCHISE We recognise the personal and professional benefits of TO LAND OWNERSHIP. OUR WORK a good social and family life and offer excellent working REALLY AFFECTS EVERYDAY LIFE OF conditions and promote flexible working patterns. PEOPLE IN SCOTLAND WHICH IS THE REASON I WAS DRAWN TO THE GLSS As one of the largest legal employers in Scotland, TRAINEESHIP IN THE FIRST PLACE. the GLSS offers opportunities to meet new people Ania Grace first year trainee and get involved in a range of activities, from nights out to hillwalking.

Our main building, Victoria Quay in Leith, offers a 25m heated swimming pool and sauna, a well-equipped gym, an outdoor multi-court and a large number of fitness classes. Childcare is also available for staff through a workplace nursery. © Crown copyright 2019

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Published by The Scottish Government, September 2019

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