Assistant Solicitor
- Salary
- £62.1K–£77.4K
- Hiring from
- United Kingdom
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Posted
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Be part of a statutory public inquiry to keep children safer in the future.
The Assistant Solicitor plays a key role in the Inquiry investigations team, working closely with the Solicitor to the Inquiry and Deputy Solicitor in investigating the evidence, identifying witnesses, supporting oral hearings preparations, contributing to drafting of the interim reports and assisting in meeting the publication process deadlines.
The overall Inquiry investigations team will work flexibly and constructively with Solicitor and Counsel to the Inquiry and all other teams to ensure the efficient delivery of outcomes and support for the Chair.
The Jay Inquiry is a statutory public inquiry set up under the Inquiries Act 2005 to investigate group based sexual abuse and exploitation of children in Scotland, examine institutional responses to it and make recommendations to better protect children both now and in the future. The inquiry is independent of Scottish Ministers, meaning that the direction and functioning of the inquiry is for its Chair.
When announcing the setting up of the inquiry in early 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for Education stated that “survivors of abuse want to see accountability and improvement delivered as quickly as possible, and that sense of urgency is shared by the Scottish Government. We are determined to act decisively to protect children from the horrendous harm of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
The terms of reference are intentionally broad in nature following discussions with survivors and survivor groups and in order to allow the Chair, Professor Alexis Jay, to set out lines of enquiry that best fulfil the remit. In determining those lines of enquiry, the Chair wishes to hear from survivors.
The Inquiry aims to uphold the highest standards of independence and impartiality. Before applying, all candidates are asked to consider if their career history gives rise to any conflict of interest with the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
- Provision of legal advice to the Chair and the Inquiry team with particular regard to the application of the Inquiries Act 2005 and the Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007 and data handling (including data protection issues).
- Liaising with senior solicitors and Counsel to the Inquiry on progress of lines of enquiry and witness statements in preparation for oral hearings. Supporting Counsel and others inquiry team at the oral hearings
- Ensuring compliance with the Inquiry’s procedure / protocol documents.
- Prepare working papers on lines of enquiry including identifying and recovering evidence which will include instructing and liaising with expert witnesses.
- Work collaboratively with the Delivery & Assurance Programme Team to deliver on agreed plans and maintain witness trackers to meet oral hearing delivery timescales.
- Work collaboratively with the Records & Evidence Team to ensure that the record of the inquiry is compliant with Data Protection legislations and is sufficiently prepared ready for transfer to the National Records of Scotland.
- Liaison with the solicitors representing the core participants and other Inquiry teams to prepare witness statements.
- Coordinating with Inquiry Communications Lead to prepare and approve documents / evidence for external publication.
- The Assistant Solicitor to the Inquiry must be a solicitor or advocate entitled to practise in Scotland and hold a current Practising Certificate.
- Applications from Solicitors qualified in other jurisdictions may be considered where they can clearly demonstrate they meet the essential and desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications will be checked at the assessment stage.
- A strong track record of providing high-quality legal advice to agreed deadlines with competing priorities.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working with vulnerable individuals and an understanding of using trauma informed approaches.
- Litigation or Inquiry experience within Scotland.
Desirable criteria will only be used in the event of a strong field of candidates, and as a second stage after Experience and Behaviours have been considered.
- Making effective decisions - Level 4
- Working together - Level 4
- Delivering at pace - Level 4
- Communicating and influencing - Level 4
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1500 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 14th December 2026 however this may be subject to change.
Apply before 23:59 on 23rd November 2026. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only (external candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy).
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
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.
This post is a full-time role (35 hours) with the expectation that at least 40% of the working week will be spent in the Inquiry offices in central Edinburgh. Due to the nature of delivery within a public Inquiry there will be times when individuals are required to attend the office on a more regular basis.
We encourage applications from individuals on a variety of working patterns and offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role.
Minimum Time in Post
There is an expectation that the successful applicant will stay in post for the duration of the Inquiry. Whilst there is no set timescale for the Inquiry, applicants should be aware that Inquiries can last typically 5+ years.
