Trainee Solicitor inEdinburgh inEdinburgh PUBLISHED
SAT 18 JAN 2025
Band 3
MENTAL HEALTH NHS PENSION
NHS Scotland rvrQq6u
Competitive salary aligned with Law Society of Scotland recommended rates, starting at AfC band 3.
A structured training opportunity across diverse practice areas including Litigation, Employment Law, Commercial Property, and Commercial Contracts.
The chance to work for the NHS, contributing to the health and well-being of the people of Scotland.
A supportive and experienced team environment within the Central Legal Office, facilitating professional growth.
Flexible hybrid working arrangement, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Comprehensive benefits package including pension scheme, health services, and discounted leisure and shopping benefits.
NHS Scotland is offering a two-year Legal Traineeship for up to four trainee solicitors to start in September 2026, with a salary aligned to the Law Society of Scotland's recommended rate. The traineeship will be structured across various practice areas: two positions will involve nine months each in Litigation and Employment Law, followed by three months in both Commercial Property and Commercial Contracts. The other two positions will focus on one year each in Employment Law and Litigation. The trainees will work at the Central Legal Office (CLO) in Edinburgh, which provides comprehensive legal support to NHSScotland.
Candidates must possess a degree in Scots Law at a 2.1 level or equivalent and a Diploma in Legal Practice by the start date. The role supports hybrid working and requires residency in the UK. NHS Scotland emphasises diversity and inclusion, offering a robust benefits package and flexible working options. Applications are open until January 24, 2025, with the opportunity for informal discussions with current staff members prior to application.
Candidates must possess a degree in Scots Law at a 2.1 level or equivalent and a Diploma in Legal Practice by the start date. The role supports hybrid working and requires residency in the UK. NHS Scotland emphasises diversity and inclusion, offering a robust benefits package and flexible working options. Applications are open until January 24, 2025, with the opportunity for informal discussions with current staff members prior to application.
Two year Legal Traineeship
Salary aligned to Law Society of Scotland recommended rate (currently AfC band 3)
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. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re-invested into essential services.
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 have 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. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. 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
Further Information
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Hazel Craik, Head of Employment at or Jennifer Thomson, Legal Adviser at
Closing date for completed applications is 24th January 2025.
Further information on NSS is available from: www.jobsincare.com/job/jblioTPW note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).
Salary aligned to Law Society of Scotland recommended rate (currently AfC band 3)
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. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re-invested into essential services.
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 have 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. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. 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
Further Information
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Hazel Craik, Head of Employment at or Jennifer Thomson, Legal Adviser at
Closing date for completed applications is 24th January 2025.
Further information on NSS is available from: www.jobsincare.com/job/jblioTPW note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).
More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:
Possible interview questions for this job
Click to
view Start practice interview
NEW!
Please wait...this will take a moment...
Please wait...this will take a moment...
More about the NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...
More about MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in the United Kingdom, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the fragility of mental well-being across different demographics, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. It has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of mental health care, accessibility, and the stigmas often associated with mental illnesses. Learn more...
inEdinburgh
55.953250885009766 -3.1882669925689697 Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 
Locations are approximate.
Learn more