Professional Support Legal Assistant

Are you looking for a role that develops your legal research skills and helps deliver high quality legal services for the people of Scotland?

We are looking to recruit two Professional Support Legal Assistants (PSLAs) to join the Scottish Government Legal Directorate (SGLD) to undertake legal research and provide Knowledge Management (KM) support to solicitors.

SGLD delivers a full range of legal services to the Scottish Government and various public bodies. This includes instructing primary legislation, drafting secondary legislation, and advising Ministers and officials across a broad range of legal issues. It is a fast-paced and high-profile environment, often involving complex and sensitive legal matters.

PSLAs provide a vital service to solicitors across SGLD. They contribute to the delivery of timely, high-quality legal advice through research and KM activities. Research supports both legislative and advisory work, while KM activities help maintain and improve the Directorate’s knowledge resources, underpinning the delivery of its KM Strategy. While PSLAs work closely with solicitors to enhance the quality and efficiency of legal services, they do not provide legal advice or draft statutory instruments.

SGLD has a complement of four PSLAs (including these two posts). Each PSLA is assigned to two Divisions, providing shared support across both. These vacancies will be assigned to the following Divisions:

• One post will support Rural Affairs Division (RA) and Marine, Planning and Natural Resources Division (MPNR).
• The other post will support Economy and Social Protections Division (ESP) and Transport, Commercial and Information Division (TCI).

PSLAs may be asked to support colleagues outside the Divisions to which they are primarily assigned.

 

Responsibilities

• Conducting legal research to support the delivery of high-quality legal services. This may involve preparing accurate and concise summaries of legal topics, or research related to specific legislative or advisory matters.
• Maintaining and enhancing KM resources through regular reviews, proposing improvements, and supporting the Division and Directorate in managing its KM systems effectively. This includes updating the internal knowledge management system (the Wiki) and contributing notes and articles for its content.
• Supporting solicitors in staying up to date with legal developments, which may include attending training and CPD events, and preparing legal update notes for circulation within the Division or Directorate. PSLAs will be guided by team members on developments of particular relevance.
• Contributing to the KM Group within SGLD, helping to improve and develop the Directorate’s overall KM infrastructure. This includes helping coordinate and contributing to the production of the Directorate’s regular Knowledge Management Update and similar activity.
• Maintaining appropriate contact with the other PSLAs and with solicitors in their Divisions.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class Honours degree in law (LLB (Hons)) OR a first- or second-class Honours degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g. LLB (graduate entry) or LLM in law).

Alternatively, applicants may be eligible to apply if they can provide evidence of excellent legal research skills and substantial work experience in legal research.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. 

 

Technical / Professional Skills: 

• Lead criterion - The ability to undertake effective and efficient legal research and identify, interpret and clearly communicate relevant information. 

• Knowledge and understanding of public law and its practical application to government in Scotland.

Experience:

• Experience in organising and managing your own workload in a flexible way to respond to competing and changing priorities and deadlines.  

Behaviours: 

• Communicating and influencing - Level 2.

• Working Together - Level 2. 

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here. 

 

How to apply 

Apply online providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.  

 

In the event of a high number of applicants, we will conduct an initial sift based on the lead criterion of Technical/Professional Skills. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against all remaining criteria as outlined in the Success Profile.

  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 16 March 2026, however this may be subject to change. About us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Working pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Victoria Quay, Edinburgh is the designated contractual place of work. Security checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.  Equality statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Stephanie McGuinness at Stephanie.McGuinness@gov.scot or Becky White at Becky.White@gov.scot Apply before: 15 February 2026 (23:59)