Vacancies: Legal Services Manager and Legal Learning Solicitor – Edinburgh

27 August 2026

Legal Services Manager (Grade 7)

 Reference:  70
 Salary:  From £61,820
 Working pattern:  Full time, permanent
 Location:  PDSO Edinburgh
 Closing date:  7 September 2026

We are looking for a Legal Services Manager to lead and develop a team delivering high-quality legal defence services through the Public Defence Solicitors’ Office (PDSO) in Edinburgh. This role will involve managing people, performance, operational delivery and change, while supporting the continued development of an effective, client-focused public service.

This is an exciting opportunity to manage our team of solicitors at our flagship Edinburgh office with initial focus on people management to effect culture change, followed by leading change with legal aid reform, public sector reform and departmental redesign.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Leading, motivating and developing a team of legal professionals
  • Managing performance, wellbeing, attendance and employee relations matters
  • Supporting recruitment, onboarding and retention of staff
  • Monitoring team performance and improving productivity and service delivery
  • Developing and maintaining effective operational practices and procedures
  • Ensuring compliance with organisational policies, employment law, and health & safety requirements
  • Leading and supporting change across the team and wider service
  • Managing projects linked to SLAB and PDSO corporate objectives
  • Identifying training and development needs and supporting colleagues through coaching and mentoring
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • Supporting initiatives to attract and retain talent
  • Contributing evidence and insight to inform wider criminal justice policy and practice.

How to apply

Full details and the online application are available on our recruitment portal (external link).

Legal Learning Solicitor (Grade 7)

 Reference:  71
 Salary:  From £61,820
 Working pattern:  Full time, permanent
 Location:  PDSO Edinburgh
 Closing date:  7 September 2026

We are seeking a Legal Learning Solicitor to join the Public Defence Solicitors’ Office (PDSO) in Edinburgh.

This is a key role supporting PDSO solicitors to deliver a high-quality criminal defence service. You will provide expert legal advice and representation, support professional development through training and coaching, and help shape guidance, protocols and quality assurance processes across the service.

You will also carry your own caseload, advise senior colleagues on legal developments, and contribute to wider improvement work within the criminal justice system.

Key responsibilities include

  • Providing advice and representation to clients involved in criminal investigations and proceedings
  • Delivering and facilitating legal training, coaching and professional development for PDSO solicitors
  • Advising colleagues and senior leaders on criminal law developments and their practical implications
  • Drafting and communicating legal guidance, protocols and best practice materials
  • Supporting quality assurance in case preparation, strategy and performance monitoring
  • Building and maintaining effective relationships with clients, stakeholders, SLAB colleagues and external bodies
  • Gathering evidence and feedback on criminal justice operational practices to support policy and service improvement
  • Contributing to initiatives that support attraction, retention and development of legal talent
  • Supporting efficient use of resources, including awareness of financial and budgetary implications
  • Mentoring and coaching colleagues to help them achieve their potential.

How to apply

Full details and the online application are available on our recruitment portal (external link).

About

The Public Defence Solicitors’ Office (PDSO) was established in 1998 and is a national network of publicly employed solicitors providing criminal legal assistance. Operating as a SLAB direct service, PDSO advise and represent clients, who are eligible for criminal legal aid, in relation to summary and solemn cases at every level and in Scotland’s busiest courts all over the country.

PDSO is part of SLAB’s Client Legal Services Directorate alongside the Civil Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) and the Solicitor Contact Line (SCL), making it Scotland’s largest multi-disciplinary legal aid practice and a unique place to work.