Trainee Solicitor
This job is closed and is displayed for reference only.
Reference:0329
Salary:Year 1: £19,500; Year 2: 22,500
Working pattern:Full time, Fixed Term
Location:Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh
Closing date:12 October 2020 at midnight
About us
The Civil Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) is a team of skilled, committed and passionate people, providing publicly funded legal services in Highland and the Islands, Edinburgh and Lothians, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and Argyll and Bute.
Our work in housing law (repossession; homelessness; unlawful eviction; disrepair) child protection, mental health, welfare benefits and debt concentrates on the rights of people who are disadvantaged.
We work closely with other agencies as part of our work to triage and refer some cases to other solicitors, advisors or support organisations. Further information on what we do can be found at www.clao.org.uk .
We work closely with other agencies as part of our work to triage and refer some cases to other solicitors, advisors or support organisations. Further information on what we do can be found at www.clao.org.uk.
You can also read about some of the varied roles, locations and benefits” on offer to solicitors working for the Civil Legal Assistance Office.
What we are offering
Joining our CLAO network is a unique opportunity to develop skills that allow you to do rewarding work that can have a considerable impact on people’s lives; learning from experienced solicitors, with different specialisms across our service. It is a particularly exciting time to do so as we develop and shape the next phase of the CLAO network, building on the achievements of our 2017-2020 business plan and the changes we have made to our services, in response to the global pandemic.
We have adapted our services to allow most of them to be provided from home. Although you would normally be based at the Inverness office, currently you will have support from colleagues and equipment, to allow you to work mostly at home, attending the office in Inverness and other locations throughout Scotland when we need you to. Longer term it is likely that you will be in one of our offices or court more often, but may still have some opportunities to work remotely.
Initially you will work mainly for the Highland and Islands team, but as part of our network you will have opportunities to represent clients in all of the areas in which we work; both by appearing remotely and travelling when required.
All CLAO city locations offer a choice of local schools, further education facilities and convenient transport links to other centres in Scotland and further afield. They also afford the opportunity for an excellent work/life balance, offering a range of social and cultural facilities, with easily accessible, beautiful countryside and beaches. Inverness in particular, is a great city to live and work in. Professionally, the local bar is friendly and welcoming. It is a growing city where facilities are immediately to hand and outdoor sports and activities in fantastic Highland landscapes are available throughout the area. If you are considering relocation, you may find the following article of interest: The Guardian article “Let’s move to Inverness, Inverness-shire: wilderness on the doorstep” .
Our benefits package includes a competitive holiday entitlement and a contributory defined benefit pension scheme. We also offer our employees access to comprehensive learning and development opportunities and well-being support. More details about our benefit package is available in the full job description.
About you
We are looking for a trainee solicitor, with a commitment to social welfare law to join our established network, working mainly for our Highland and Islands team.
You will have the ability, with the support of your manager and other experienced colleagues, to manage a demanding caseload comprised of publicly funded housing law (repossession; homelessness; unlawful eviction; disrepair) child protection, mental health, and some welfare benefits and debt work.
You will be highly organised, have strong interpersonal skills and be calm and resilient.
You will have the ambition to become a court practitioner with excellent technical skills, and the ability to focus these where you can make the biggest difference.
You will have a degree and Diploma in Legal Practice and be in a position to obtain an entrance certificate from the Law Society of Scotland. You will also have a full, clean driving licence.
The Civil Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) is a team of skilled, committed and passionate people, providing publicly funded legal services in Highland and the Islands, Edinburgh and Lothians, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and Argyll and Bute.
Our work in housing law (repossession; homelessness; unlawful eviction; disrepair) child protection, mental health, welfare benefits and debt concentrates on the rights of people who are disadvantaged.
We work closely with other agencies as part of our work to triage and refer some cases to other solicitors, advisors or support organisations. Further information on what we do can be found at www.clao.org.uk .
We work closely with other agencies as part of our work to triage and refer some cases to other solicitors, advisors or support organisations. Further information on what we do can be found at www.clao.org.uk.
What we are offering
Joining our CLAO network is a unique opportunity to develop skills that allow you to do rewarding work that can have a considerable impact on people’s lives; learning from experienced solicitors, with different specialisms across our service. It is a particularly exciting time to do so as we develop and shape the next phase of the CLAO network, building on the achievements of our 2017-2020 business plan and the changes we have made to our services, in response to the global pandemic.
We have adapted our services to allow most of them to be provided from home. Although you would normally be based at the Inverness office, currently you will have support from colleagues and equipment, to allow you to work mostly at home, attending the office in Inverness and other locations throughout Scotland when we need you to. Longer term it is likely that you will be in one of our offices or court more often, but may still have some opportunities to work remotely.
Initially you will work mainly for the Highland and Islands team, but as part of our network you will have opportunities to represent clients in all of the areas in which we work; both by appearing remotely and travelling when required.
All CLAO city locations offer a choice of local schools, further education facilities and convenient transport links to other centres in Scotland and further afield. They also afford the opportunity for an excellent work/life balance, offering a range of social and cultural facilities, with easily accessible, beautiful countryside and beaches. Inverness in particular, is a great city to live and work in. Professionally, the local bar is friendly and welcoming. It is a growing city where facilities are immediately to hand and outdoor sports and activities in fantastic Highland landscapes are available throughout the area. If you are considering relocation, you may find the following article of interest: The Guardian article “Let’s move to Inverness, Inverness-shire: wilderness on the doorstep” .
Our benefits package includes a competitive holiday entitlement and a contributory defined benefit pension scheme. We also offer our employees access to comprehensive learning and development opportunities and well-being support. More details about our benefit package is available in the full job description.
About you
We are looking for a trainee solicitor, with a commitment to social welfare law to join our established network, working mainly for our Highland and Islands team.
You will have the ability, with the support of your manager and other experienced colleagues, to manage a demanding caseload comprised of publicly funded housing law (repossession; homelessness; unlawful eviction; disrepair) child protection, mental health, and some welfare benefits and debt work.
You will be highly organised, have strong interpersonal skills and be calm and resilient.
You will have the ambition to become a court practitioner with excellent technical skills, and the ability to focus these where you can make the biggest difference.
You will have a degree and Diploma in Legal Practice and be in a position to obtain an entrance certificate from the Law Society of Scotland. You will also have a full, clean driving licence.
Application Information
The job description and person specification with other relevant documents are available below.
Completed applications should be returned by Monday the 12th October. Interviews will be organised via a video call shortly after closing date however, this can change depending of candidates’ availability.
To apply please click the “Apply Online” button. For assistance, please contact Klaudia Hall on recruitment@slab.org.uk or 0131 240 2145.
Completed applications should be returned by Monday the 12th October. Interviews will be organised via a video call shortly after closing date however, this can change depending of candidates’ availability.
To apply please click the “Apply Online” button. For assistance, please contact Klaudia Hall on recruitment@slab.org.uk or 0131 240 2145.
