Vacancy: Senior Solicitor – PDSO Network

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Solicitor to support our network by delivering high-quality, ethical and independent criminal legal defence services across Scotland.

Working as both a nominated and duty solicitor, you will provide advice and representation to clients involved in criminal investigations or proceedings, including at police stations and in summary and solemn courts. You will apply specialist knowledge of Scots criminal law, criminal procedure, advocacy and legal aid to ensure services are delivered without fear or favour.

This role is based flexibly within our PDSO network and can be located at any of our eight PDSO offices, but the successful solicitor will be expected to support the PDSO network across Scotland as required. Location will be variable and dependent on the business need of each office. Given the nature of this role, there will be a requirement for travel to various locations and there will be an element of home-based working when not required for court or other business.

Key responsibilities include:

• advising and representing clients in criminal investigations and proceedings
• acting as nominated and duty solicitor in courts and police stations
• applying PDSO procedures and Codes of Practice effectively
• building and maintaining a local client base
• representing PDSO with external partners
• supporting the wider PDSO network as required
• contributing to staff training and development
• mentoring solicitors and supporting caseload management.

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• enrolment as a solicitor with a Law Society of Scotland practising certificate
• strong knowledge of criminal justice and legal aid
• experience practising Scots criminal law in court
• experience advising suspects in police detention
• specialist knowledge of criminal law, procedure and advocacy
• excellent communication, judgement and decision-making skills
• strong planning, organisation and prioritisation skills
• a self-motivated, flexible and pragmatic approach
• ability to mentor and coach colleagues
• a valid driving licence.

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.

Further information on PDSO is available here (external link).