Two year Legal Traineeship
Salary aligned to Law Society of Scotland recommended rate (currently AfC band 3) (please note payment of Law Society professional fees for CLO trainees by NSS is currently under discussion)
Traineeship x4 posts, Fixed Term: September 2026
2 x Posts - Practice Areas: Litigation – 9 months, Employment Law – 9 months, Commercial Property – 3 months, and Commercial Contracts – 3 months (subject to departmental need)
2 x Posts - Practice Areas: Litigation – 1 year, Employment Law – 1 year.
About the Organisation:
National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best-in-class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well-being of the people of Scotland.
The Post:
The Central Legal Office (CLO) provides NHSScotland with legal advice and assistance in every area of law relevant to the health service. We operate a team-based structure, with four Departments – Litigation, Employment, Commercial Contracts and Commercial Property. Each Department comprises experienced solicitors and support staff committed to delivering a responsive and cost-effective service to clients across the NHS. CLO offers the opportunity to work in a hybrid manner, but also has a base at Gyle Square in Edinburgh.
CLO is recruiting for 4 trainees to commence in September 2026. Two of the posts will give successful candidates the opportunity to spend time in each of the four CLO practice areas. Two of the posts will be split between the Employment and Litigation Departments.
The PEAT 2 programme will be followed for all posts.
The Candidate:
Successful candidates will have a degree in Scots Law at 2.1 level or equivalent, and a Diploma in Legal Practice by the time they start in post. (If candidates have completed their degree at the time of application their grade should be specified in the application). CLO is a fantastic place to work, offering a varied and interesting range of work.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check. Any candidate who has lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.
Location and Working Pattern:
Gyle Square, Edinburgh.
Currently hybrid working, Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week.
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.
Benefits:
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure
Inclusion:
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. NSS has made a long-term commitment to staff health and well-being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on NSS.wfrs@nhs.scot
Further information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Hazel Craik, Head of Employment at hazel.craik@nhs.scot or Jennifer Thomson, Legal Adviser at Jennifer.thomson9@nhs.scot
Closing date for completed applications is 24th January 2025.
Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).
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