Legal Traineeship GHI

Are you looking for a legal traineeship that offers responsibility from an early stage, exposure to complex casework and the opportunity to make a real contribution to Scotland's justice system?

COPFS is seeking ambitious and motivated aspiring solicitors to join our Grampian, Highland and Islands (GH&I) Legal Traineeship Programme commencing in August 2028.

The GH&I Traineeship provides a unique opportunity to train within one of Scotland's most geographically diverse prosecution areas. Working alongside experienced prosecutors and legal professionals, you will develop the skills, knowledge and judgement required for a successful legal career while contributing to the fair and effective administration of justice.

As part of a small trainee cohort, you can expect:

• Exposure to a broad range of prosecution work.
• Opportunities to work closely with experienced Procurators Fiscal and legal professionals.
• Experience across specialist and local court functions.
• Insight into criminal justice issues affecting communities across the north of Scotland.
• Practical advocacy and court experience within a supportive learning environment.
• Structured supervision, training and professional development throughout your traineeship.

Trainees will normally spend the initial part of their traineeship within a specialist function before moving into local court operations where they will develop practical prosecution skills and experience life as a Procurator Fiscal Depute.

Applicants must have completed, or be able to evidence completion prior to the traineeship start date, of:

• A Scots Law LLB (or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Law Society of Scotland -Qualifying as a Scottish solicitor , Law Society of Scotland);
• A Diploma in Professional Legal Practice
• An Entrance Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland

Applicants who have qualified, or are qualifying, through an alternative route approved by the Law Society of Scotland will be considered.

• Analysis of information, identifying key issues and reaching evidence-based conclusions
• Ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and respectfully both verbally and in writing and across a range of audiences from defence agents and the Police to members of the public, victims and witnesses of crime
• Managing competing priorities and delivering work to deadlines
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team within busy, dynamic, and challenging environments
• Adapting to changing circumstances and learning new skills or knowledge

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

For full details on the traineeship, eligibility requirements and assessment process, please refer to the application pack.

COPFS is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to attracting talented people from all backgrounds.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.