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A former investment firm employee who became convinced that his activities were being monitored by a Russian gang has lost an appeal against an employment tribunal’s decision that he did not have a mental disability.
Stephen Sullivan was employed by Bury Street Capital Ltd, a small capital-raising and advisory firm, between 2009 and 2017. He argued that the Employment Tribunal had erred in finding that he did not have a disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010 and that his employer did not have constructive knowledge of his disability.
The appeal was heard in the Court of Appeal by Lord Justice Jackson, Lord Justice Singh, and Lady Justice Laing. Christopher Milsom appeared for the appellant and Michael Lee for the respondent.
Substantial adverse effect
The appellant’s case was that, between March and May 2013, he had been in a relationship with a Ukrainian woman. After this relationship ended, he started to believe that he was being monitored and followed by a Russian gang connected to the woman. As a result of this belief, he installed CCTV at his home, became nervous about using the same email address for long periods of time, and on some evenings booked himself into a hotel in central London rather than return home.
After a psychiatric evaluation, it was concluded that the appellant’s feelings were the result of a potential persistent delusional disorder, and that there had been a substantial adverse effect (SAE) on his ability to carry out normal activities, including effects on his work performance. The appellant’s employment was terminated on 8 September 2017, one day after he attended a GP appointment relating to his condition, on the grounds that he lacked the skillset and attitude to fulfil his role effectively.
In February 2018, the appellant raised a claim of unfair dismissal and discrimination based on disability before the ET, where he contested all complaints. The ET found that his dismissal had been procedurally unfair, and that if proper procedure had been followed, he would have been dismissed in March 2018. However, the employment judge found that his claim under the 2010 Act failed, as it did not consider it likely that there had been a recurring adverse effect with no likelihood of improvement.
On first appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the decision of the ET was upheld. Permission was granted for an appeal to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that the ET had erred in finding that there was no SAE throughout the period from 2013 to 2017, or alternatively that the appellant did not have a recurring condition. Further, the ET had erred in finding that the respondent did not have actual or constructive knowledge of the disability.
Point of law
In his opinion, with which the other two judges agreed, Lord Justice Singh began by noting: “In my view the answer to this appeal is straightforward. It does not raise any points of general principle but was, rather, a decision on its own facts. Although there are three grounds of appeal, with many sub-grounds and numerous further points made in support of those grounds in submissions, in essence the case comes down to whether the ET was entitled to reach the findings of fact which it did.”
He continued: “The fundamental complaint which the appellant has is that he does not agree with [the ET’s] conclusions. That is not a basis for an appeal on a point of law. It is important to recall that an appeal lies from a decision of the ET to the EAT only on a question of law.”
Addressing whether the ET was correct to reach the findings that it did, Singh LJ said: “Although in many instances the fact that [a] SAE has recurred episodically might strongly suggest that a further episode is something that ‘could well happen’, that will not always be the case. Where, as here, the SAE was (in the judgment of the ET) triggered by a particular event that was itself unlikely to continue or to recur, then it is open to the ET to find that it is not likely to recur.”
Turning to the issue of constructive knowledge, he continued: “Again, it seems to me that these are essentially complaints about the findings of fact made by the ET. They go to the weight it should have ascribed to certain aspects of the evidence rather than to the ET’s approach. I do not accept that the ET failed to ask itself the question of constructive knowledge: it expressly referred to what the Respondent could reasonably have been expected to know.”
Singh LJ concluded: “However dressed-up, the present appeal is in substance an attempt to challenge the findings of fact which were made by the ET. There being no perversity challenge (and in my view any such challenge would have failed in any event), I have reached the conclusion that this appeal must be dismissed.”
Rights and liberties of UK citizens must be protected in new EU travel rules
The UK government must address ethical, legal, logistical and political challenges arising from new border checks due to launch next year that will affect UK residents travelling to the EU, according to the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
In a letter to the Home Secretary, the committee has warned that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit System (EES) could have serious consequences in the UK and for the rights and liberties of UK citizens. The committee has expressed concern over the UK being unprepared and has outlined several recommendations for the Home Office.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will require most travellers to share their facial image and fingerprints with European authorities and to have them checked every time they travel to or from the EU as part of border checks. The committee highlights that these checks are likely to cause sustained delays and disruption. It is impossible to carry out these checks in cars, so as it stands, passengers at ports will have to step into live traffic. The time taken to carry out these checks is also of significant concern: EES checks are expected to permanently slow the flow of UK vehicles and passengers to and from the EU.
ETIAS, which will launch six months after the EES, will require most travellers to apply online for a travel authorisation prior to entering the European Union. The system will automatically process applications to assess whether an applicant poses a security, illegal immigration, or high epidemic risk. This involves checks against EU and Interpol security databases and algorithmic profiling. Under this system, an unknown proportion of UK citizens will lose their right to travel to the EU.
The committee has raised concerns that UK citizens may be discriminated against by the ETIAS algorithm, including on the basis of protected characteristics, and is urging the government to engage with relevant European authorities to ensure that robust safeguards are in place to guarantee the fairness and lawfulness of the profiling algorithm that forms part of ETIAS.
The committee has also called on the government to engage with relevant European authorities to clarify what the manual processing of ETIAS applications will involve, and whether someone denied a travel authorisation will be given the opportunity to re-apply. The government should also seek specific assurances on how the rights of appellants will be effectively protected, according to the committee.
Baroness Hamwee, chair of the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee said: “While we acknowledge that, recently, resources have been focussed on the immediate impact of withdrawal from the European Union and on the pandemic, we are profoundly concerned about the lack of attention paid to either ETIAS or the EES.
“Continuous EES checks are expected permanently to slow the flow of UK vehicles and passengers to and from the EU. We have heard that in Dover and Folkestone, red tape at borders has an immediate knock-on effect on traffic. If Schengen entry checks take more than a few seconds, within minutes cars can’t move forward. Congestion can quite quickly reach the motorways and then spread through Kent.
“ETIAS, which will apply security checks, uses and retains a wide range of personal data and there is no indication what safeguards will be applied or how its profiling algorithm will avoid discrimination on the basis for instance of ethnicity."
She added: “We look forward to receiving the Home Secretary’s proposals to engage with the EU to address the concerns we have raised, to ensure that rights and liberties are protected and that our travel is as smooth as possible. The impact will be on UK citizens, on UK soil.”
Scotland is to introduce 'sobriety tags' for offenders who commit alcohol-fuelled crimes.
Offenders guilty of such crimes will have to wear the tags upon their release. The devices will trigger an alarm if the wearer has a drink during their probation period.
The move is an attempt to cut reoffending and follows similar plans south of the border where offenders will have to wear tags for up to a year after their release.
The technology monitors sweat and alerts probation officers if alcohol is detected. Attempts to remove the device will also trigger an alert.
Scottish government estimates show that 44 per cent of violent crimes in 2019-20 involved offenders who were under the influence of alcohol.
A Scottish government spokesman said: “Progress has been made towards expanding electronic monitoring use across a broader range of licences and community orders and development of the technological capabilities, including exploring use of remote alcohol monitoring, will follow as soon as practically possible.”
Jamie Greene, the Scottish Conservatives justice spokesman, said: “Any advancement in how we monitor offenders is worthy of consideration. However, nothing replaces core frontline services. Drug and alcohol services have been slashed under the SNP over the last decade.”
Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, commented: “Alcohol is a factor in just over two fifths of violent crimes in Scotland. The use of sobriety tags must be part of a broader programme of support for offenders to address their drinking problems.”
The number of traineeships begun in the last practice year totalled 744, up from 434 in the previous year, new figures from the Law Society of Scotland show.
The increase indicates that parts of the profession are recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with increased activity in some practice areas. Trainee figures have also been bolstered by the number of traineeships that were deferred from 2020 to 2021 due to the pandemic, as well as the Scottish Government’s fund to support 40 legal aid traineeships, which launched in early June this year.
Averaging trainee figures across the last two practice years reveals a figure of 588 a year, comparable to pre-pandemic levels.
Liz Campbell, the Law Society’s Executive director of education, training and qualifications, said: “The bounce back in traineeship figures is very encouraging and indicates that solicitors are able to offer traineeships again. Trainees are the lifeblood of our profession, without which we cannot survive and thrive.
“Of course, we would urge that this year’s figures are looked at in context and note that we would be surprised if this year’s figures were seen again. We must remain cautious about the future and what traineeship recruitment will look like, given the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the profession and wider economy.
“We know that a high number of Diploma graduates are in the traineeship market and securing a traineeship will continue to be competitive. As ever, we would urge all final-year LLB students to consider the current environment when deciding their next steps, whether that is to do the Diploma or an alternative career.”
Thomas Ross QC: Should Scottish judges have the power to order whole life tariffs?
Thomas Ross QC
On Thursday 18th November 2021 I appeared on John Beattie’s Drivetime Show on BBC Radio Scotland to discuss the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Esther Brown – and the criminal proceedings that followed. It occurred to me that there were certain public misconceptions about the case and its outcome. I address those here. First the relevant facts.
Jason Graham was born around 1991. On 31st May 2013 he knocked upon the door of a 61-year-old female in the Possilpark area of Glasgow. When she answered the door he asked her for a cigarette. He then forced his way into the house. He knocked her over and repeatedly punched her – then he raped her. In January 2014 he pleaded guilty to his crimes. A sentence of 90 months was imposed (7 ½ years) – reduced from 120 months (10 years) to reflect his plea of guilty. The sentence was backdated to the date upon which Jason Graham had first appeared in Court.
In January 2014 a long-term prisoner like Jason Graham was entitled to be released after he had served two-thirds of his sentence. No application to the Parole Board was necessary – it was automatic. As a result, Jason Graham was entitled to be released after he had served 60 months. The state had no right to keep him in custody beyond that point. It appears that he was released sometime in 2018 – as the law would have then demanded.
It has clearly entered the public consciousness that, in some circumstances, a prisoner who commits a crime before all of his sentence has expired can be returned to prison. The rules are complicated – but in short, this concept had absolutely no relevance to Jason Graham’s case. By the time he murdered Esther Brown on 28th May 2021, more than 90 months had passed since the operative date of his sentence. In other words, by the day of the murder, every day of his previous sentence had come and gone.
Esther Brown (aged 67) met her death in the most terrible circumstances. It appears that she was a much-loved member of her community, widely admired for the work that she did for others less fortunate. On 28th May 2021 Jason Graham forced his way into her flat, punched and kicked her and struck her over the head with a piece of wood – then raped her and murdered her. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. It is hard to imagine anything more wicked. Jason Graham’s DNA was found at the scene. When the case came to Court he pleaded guilty and on Wednesday 17th November 2021 he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a punishment part of 19 years.
I come to the first misconception. In the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 18th November 2021, Douglas Ross (leader of the Scottish Conservatives) raised concerns regarding the case, in which he referred to the fact that "Jason Graham was released early". This claim was understandably repeated on the Drivetime programme. In both cases, the implication was that Jason Graham was only in the community able to commit his crimes because he had been "released early". As I have explained above, this was not correct.
The second misconception is much, much more important. In the immediate aftermath of sentence being passed, friends of Esther Brown understandably reacted. One expressed the concern that Mr Graham "poses a danger when he is eventually released". A second stated "the sentence is very disappointing as many of us in the surrounding community have been victims of perpetrators being let back into society". Both were clearly contemplating the likelihood of Mr Graham being released from prison after the passing of 19 years. I do not believe that there is the remotest possibility of that ever happening – Jason Graham will be in prison for the rest of his natural life.
When I made that prediction on the BBC Radio Scotland Drivetime show I was challenged on the basis that he had "only been given 19 years". Well, after 19 years Jason Graham can apply for parole. In the same way, when the current Lord President retires I can apply for his job. In neither case is there the slightest chance of the application being granted. What is more important is the public perception that he might be released after 19 years, when there is no realistic chance of that happening.
If I am correct in the prediction – that where X rapes a stranger in her own house in 2013 – then rapes and murders a different stranger in her own house in 2021 – no society that values the safety of its citizens could even contemplate releasing X back into the community – then why not tell X that in public?
If Jason Graham had committed the crimes in Carlisle – rather than Glasgow – the position might have been different. Society is still reeling from the crimes of Wayne Couzens – sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life tariff for the rape and murder of Sarah Everard. Some people – usually people who wish to separate the countries – claim that Scots are naturally more liberal in matters of sentencing than their English neighbours – but even amongst ‘liberal Scots’ I did not hear a single person suggest that the imposition of a whole life tariff upon Wayne Couzens was excessive. The friends and family of Sarah Everard – unlike those of Esther Brown – might take some small comfort that Couzens will never be released. Further, a person who might be inclined to commit crimes of the sort under discussion might be deterred by the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison. So why are Scottish judges denied a power available to their English counterparts?
Well things could have been different. In 2019 the Whole Life Custody (Scotland) Bill was introduced and debated in the Scottish Parliament but was quashed before it really got off the ground.
In my lifetime hundreds of thousands of people have committed crimes. I don’t know the names of 99.99 per cent of them – but I know the names of Peter Tobin and Peter Manual and Angus Sinclair. Why? Because their crimes were so awful that they wrote their way into popular history. In Scotland, I estimate that perhaps one person every five years would even be considered for a whole life tariff.
People who commit crimes as terrible as those committed by Jason Graham should not be considered for release. A public judicial statement to that effect would give comfort to those grieving and might deter others from following in his evil footsteps – both of which provide good reason to reconsider the issue.
England: Electric car chargers to be mandatory in new homes
New homes and buildings such as supermarkets and workplaces, as well as those undergoing major renovation, will be required to install electric vehicle charge points from next year, under new UK government legislation announced today.
Up to 145,000 extra charge points will be installed across England each year as a result of the regulations.
With the majority of charging happening at home, this will mean people can buy new properties already ready for an electric vehicle future, while ensuring charge points are readily available at new shops and workplaces across the UK – making it as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car today.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will say at the CBI annual conference: "This is a pivotal moment – we cannot go on as we are. We have to adapt our economy to the green industrial revolution.
"We have to use our massive investment in science and technology and we have to raise our productivity and then we have to get out your way.
"We must regulate less or better and take advantage of new freedoms."
He will add: "We will require new homes and buildings to have EV charging points – with another 145,000 charging points to be installed thanks to these regulations.
"We are investing in new projects to turn wind power into hydrogen and our net zero strategy is expected to trigger about £90 billion of private sector investment, driving the creation of high wage high skilled jobs as part of our mission to unite and level up across the country."
Thompsons Solicitors has announced the appointment of Craig Snee to the role of senior solicitor in its Dundee office.
Mr Snee was attracted to Thompsons because of the firm's commitment to social justice, as exemplified by its close work with the trade union movement.
He said: “I feel that I’m joining a firm who not only talk the talk but they actually walk the walk. Thompsons don’t just indulge in marketing slogans they really do care about the lives of ordinary decent people who need the best and most committed legal advice. Having grown up in this city I know there is a real need for a firm like Thompsons. A firm that only acts for victims of injustice and a firm who is ready to co-operate with others in the community to help Dundonians.”
Andrew Henderson, senior partner at Thompsons, said: “We knew we had to find a particular type of lawyer to fill the role of our head of operations in Dundee. Obviously Craig has a first class legal mind but more than that he believes in what Thompsons as a firm are trying to achieve. This is about our commitment to the city and the wider area and I am confident that Craig will be able to make a real and positive impact on this great city’s legal scene.”
Evidence paper on extension of vaccine certification
John Swinney
A paper that brings together the evidence about Covid certification has been published.
The paper reports on the operation of the current certification scheme, reviews the approaches adopted by other countries and examines the evidence behind expanding the scheme. It considers Covid transmission, public attitudes and the impact on the business community.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “With cases rising gradually and pressures on our NHS, our approach is to keep people safe and get through a challenging winter without having to re-introduce any restrictions.
“This paper provides an update of the evidence of the vaccine certification scheme and focuses on the potential impact of a range of options for expanding it. Our vaccine certification scheme is working well, with venues and events affected continuing to operate and more than 1.5 million downloads of the NHS Covid status app so far.
"We want businesses to remain open throughout the Christmas period so it is sensible to consider options available to expand Covid certification. We will continue to consult with hospitality industry representatives and will set out our proposed approach next week.”
England: Raab accused of ignoring collapse of criminal courts
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has been attacked by the bar over claims he is ignoring the problems in the criminal courts, The Times reports.
Mr Raab was accused of snubbing the Bar Council's annual conference over the weekend after he failed to make a speech in person. He sent a pre-recorded video message instead.
During the meeting, he tweeted a picture of himself with a “rollerskating Christmas pudding” at a festival in his constituency.
Sally Cahill QC, president of the Council of Circuit Judges, said at the conference that crown courts are urgently in need of more judges and estimated that there is at least a 25 per cent shortfall in the number needed to resolve the backlog of 60,000 cases.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon, said last week that he was struggling to recruit crown court judges.
Kirsty Brimelow QC, vice-chairwoman of the Criminal Bar Association and a member of the Bar Council, told the newspaper that 22 per cent of junior barristers and 46 per cent of QCs had abandoned criminal practice since 2016, mainly due to cuts in legal aid.
Just Employment Law raise £73,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland
Just Employment Law has raised £73,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland through an online auction.
The proceeds from the auction will help fund vital research, awareness and support for those impacted by Pancreatic Cancer.
Managing director David McRae said: ”On behalf of all at Just Employment Law, we warmly and sincerely thank everyone who supported the initiative and who have helped make a difference.”
You can find out more about Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland here.
A senior politician charged with cleaning up Norway's expenses system has resigned a month into the role after being embroiled in an expenses scandal.
Eva Kristin Hansen, 48, was elected as president of the Storting, Norway's parliament, just six weeks ago, but is now facing a police investigation for alleged fraud.
She is one of six politicians under scrutiny amid allegations they obtained taxpayer-funded commuter flats in Oslo despite living too close by to be eligible.
Ms Hansen allegedly stayed in a commuter flat intended for politicians who live more than 40 kilometres from Oslo while owning a house just 29 kilometres away.
As head of the parliament, Ms Hansen was responsible for addressing the growing scandal until her own involvement came to light.
Westcor International Limited proudly announces the appointment of Kirsty Noble as Senior Underwriter & Solicitor for Scotland and opens its first Scottish office.
Kirsty Noble joined Westcor from Blackadders LLP earlier this year and brings over a decade of experience as a practising solicitor. Her first-hand experience of the challenges that transactional work presents, and in-depth understanding of Scottish property law and the registration system is immensely valuable to Westcor and its clients.
Kirsty says “I am thrilled to be part of the Westcor global group and to have re-joined the title insurance industry. Following its acquisition of Titlesolv in 2020, Westcor is building on Titlesolv’s established reputation within the Scottish market and to join the company at a time of such growth is an exciting opportunity. The UK, Ireland and wider European marketplace are, strategically, very important for the group. We intend to take the success of Titlesolv to the next level in Scotland. ”
Kirsty also spent a number of years as a Commercial Underwriter at another major title insurer where she specialised in underwriting high net-worth legal indemnity risks for commercial properties including renewable projects.
“I understand the important role title insurance plays in the conveyancing process and what solicitors need. My experience as a transactional solicitor and as an underwriter means I am uniquely placed to bring the Westcor brand and its creative title indemnity solutions to the doorstep of the Scottish legal profession”.
Chris Taylor, Corporate Development Director of Westcor International Limited says “We are thrilled that Kirsty has joined us. Her prior underwriting and private practice experience means she is well-placed to lead Westcor’s Scottish operation. To further demonstrate our commitment to the Scottish market and legal profession, we are proud to have opened our first office branch in Glasgow on 1st November 2021 and are looking forward to assisting our Scottish clients throughout 2022 and beyond.”
Should you have any title insurance enquiries, please contact Kirsty on 0141 737 3079 or email kirsty.noble@westcorintl.com.
Operating in the UK and Republic of Ireland, Westcor International Ltd and its subsidiary WIL Speciality Insurance Ltd provide title insurance policies that protect the value of land and the assets that sit upon it.
Westcor International Limited is wholly owned by Westcor Land Title Insurance Company, America’s largest independent title insurance underwriter with premium income more than $1bn for the past two years.
Tech won’t solve everything, says Denovo Operations Director
Legal technology expert and Denovo Operations Director, Steven Hill, says; “Technology is only as good as the processes already in place. Now is the time to start rethinking processes. For example, Litigation is a notoriously difficult process with a lot of risk —it’s rigid, time-consuming, introduces friction and delays. To truly solve the problem of litigation we must start thinking about dealing with the matter differently. Because if all we do is apply technology to an already broken process, we’ll just exasperate the problem.”
Technology in the 21st Century is providing us with the means to communicate our thoughts and ideas across the planet in a way that would have been unthinkable, even 10 years ago.
However good the technology is, it cannot pick up the subtleties of a language, the culture that underpins it, or even the humour that oils many of our conversations.
For this reason there has always been a need for skilled interpreters and translators and probably always will. That’s where Global Language Services Ltd can help you.
Not only do we have the language service talent that you are likely to need, we also have a track record that spans Government, health, justice, commercial and private sector contracts.
So, whatever you want to achieve in a different language, we’re on your side from the word ‘go’.
We go out of our way to help with any translation and interpreting requirements and you can test that simply by picking up the phone and getting in touch. Calls are answered by trained operators with no call centres – just real people determined to help you achieve your language service requirements as quickly as possible.
If you’ve been searching for Professional Translation or reliable Interpreting Services at competitive prices, we like to think that Global will be your long-term partner after your first project with us.
With offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen we are committed to finding local interpreters and translators wherever possible. Our reach, however, goes much further than Scotland and we are happy to take translation projects from across the world.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is the largest of Scotland’s seven regional transport partnerships. We run the Glasgow Subway, a host of specialist bus services and are responsible for delivering better public transport for all.
About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a second qualified Solicitor to join our busy Legal and Property Services team. From the outset, you will have contact with all departments including senior managers, the Strategy Team and external stakeholders and shall contribute to the delivery of an effective and efficient legal service across the organisation.
You will be responsible for drafting and advising on commercial contracts including the NEC suite, commercial property transactions, providing support on Data Protection and Freedom of Information matters, liaising with our insurers on claims and litigation, advising on all matters relating to public administration and liaising with external advisers as required. Opportunities may also arise to draft and advise on information technology and intellectual property matters, including copyright and patents and to participate in advising on large and complex infrastructure projects,
About You
The successful candidate will be a qualified Solicitor with a current unrestricted practicing certificate. You will be an exceptional legal adviser with a collaborative and imaginative approach to problem solving, combined with a very strong customer service ethic. You will be an excellent communicator, able to explain both orally and in writing, complex concepts clearly, and able to tailor your legal advice to clients with different needs and experience.
An adaptable and flexible individual, able to deal with shifting priorities and willing to build new experience in a wide variety of areas of law by picking up new matters out-with your own sphere of experience.
A team player who must be able to build trust and understanding quickly and have a track record of delivering on time, every time. We serve the client departments, and they rely on us to deliver timely, commercially-focused advice and assistance, against the background of our obligations and responsibilities as a public sector body.
What we can offer you…
Commitment to your ongoing learning and development to support career progression
32 days Annual and Public Holiday Entitlement
Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme – SPT contribute 19.3% of your annualised pay
Group Life Assurance Cover
Employee Travel Pass Scheme – a Subway Smartcard to travel on the Glasgow Subway for free
Discounted Season Rail Tickets – maximum of £300 towards the cost of an annual rail ticket
Cycle to Work Scheme, Flexible Working Opportunities, Childcare Vouchers, Employee Assistance Programme, Long Service Awards, Credit Union
Full time hours will be 35 hours per week Monday to Friday. Applications for part time or flexible working will be considered. You may though be required to undertake work out-with contracted hours to meet the responsibilities of the post.
You will be based at 131 St Vincent Street, Glasgow.
How to Apply?
To apply, please select the ‘apply now’ button to complete an online application form.
Closing date for applications will be midnight on Sunday 5th December 2021.
SPT is an Equal Opportunities company welcoming applications from a diverse background. If you’ve got the right skills for the job we want to hear from you. SPT encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race.
For applicants with special requirements, or if you have any questions please email recruitment@spt.co.uk quoting the above reference.
We currently have a vacancy for a paralegal to join our friendly executry team.
The ideal candidate will have a positive, enthusiastic approach and already be an experienced executry paralegal.
You will have a significant degree of autonomy as well as your own case load. The main duties of the post will be to deal with all aspects of executry administration to include investigating the extent of the estate, preparing the Confirmation application and Inheritance Tax return, preparing the executry account and dealing with related tax matters. These duties will be carried out under the supervision of one of our partners.
If you are interested in this vacancy, please send a covering letter and a copy of your CV to HR Director, Margaret Peet (margaret.peet@balfour-manson.co.uk) by the closing date of Friday 3 December 2021.
Fife Law Centre is seeking to recruit a Legal Assistant with previous experience in a legal environment, to work as part of a small team focused on improving the lives of people across Fife.
Fife Law Centre was established in 2009 to provide services to those in the community who are otherwise unable to access legal support and advice. We are a small team of solicitors and administrative support.
The main areas of work for the Legal Assistant will involve receiving enquiries and referrals from individuals and partner organisations, identifying whether the nature of the enquiry is one which Fife Law Centre can deal with, accurately recording information, assessing content, reporting with clarity, and maintaining proper records.
While initially the work will be as part of the office based team (as determined by government restrictions), it is anticipated this role will extend to services at outreach hubs across Fife.
The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate clear and sensitive communication skills, objective analysis, judgement and recording skills.
Proficiency in Word and Excel Systems will be essential.
Conveyancing Assistant Solicitor – Duffy Toshner & Company
Well established firm in Cambuslang seeks an Assistant Solicitor experienced in both Residential and Commercial Conveyancing. (Minimum 2 + years qualified).
The successful candidate should be highly organised with the ability to cope with multiple responsibilities within tight timescales and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Competitive salary and opportunity for advancement.
Grade 7 Employment Lawyers – Government Legal Department
Grade 7 Employment Lawyers Government Legal Department Salary: £50,500 - £61,000 (London) Or £48,985 - £58,000 (National) Location: London, Bristol or Leeds
Use your talent to shape the UK’s future
Who we are
The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government. We work with all the main Whitehall Departments and our work touches on nearly all aspects of public life, from roads and rivers to health and human rights.
The department has more than 14 client-facing advisory teams who provide legal advice on the development, design and implementation of government policies and decisions, draft secondary legislation, and work with Parliamentary Counsel on primary legislation. Our expert service groups for Litigation, Employment and Commercial Law provide specialist legal services to a wide range of government departments and public bodies.
GLD’s Employment Group provides employment litigation and advisory services to central government, with a client base of over 55 government departments and other public bodies.
We’re recruiting up to 12 Employment Lawyers where you’ll have the opportunity to work on high-profile litigation, to advise at the heart of government on effective employment practice and to join a Division which has a supportive and collaborative culture, putting diversity and inclusion at the heart of all it does.
The role
GLD’s Employment Group is one of the largest employment law teams in the UK, comprising over 170 lawyers and administrators, currently divided between 8 teams. The teams’ work falls into the following main areas:
HR advice and litigation including on individual cases, on collective and strategic HR issues such as departmental restructuring and on major departmental policy issues such as departmental and agency reforms
Conduct of large scale multi-party litigation including that involving pensions and equal pay.4
Advice to Cabinet Office and HM Treasury on overarching Civil Service employment issues.
Transactional employment work (insourcing and outsourcing contracts involving staff transfers)
The majority of our litigation work is in the Employment Tribunal although we also handle appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and relevant claims in the High Court.
The Employment Group is often involved in the leading employment law cases of the day.
Recent examples in the Supreme Court include ‘Gilham v Ministry of Justice’ on whistleblowing protections and O’Brien v Ministry of Justice on part time workers discrimination and in the Court of Appeal McCloud v Ministry of Justice on age discrimination, McNeil v HMRC on equal pay and Heskett v Secretary of State for Justice on indirect discrimination.
Our people are supported by excellent knowledge management, a rich training programme and a supportive culture of leadership and management at all levels of the organisation.
About you
A qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with license to practice in England and Wales, you’ll have a sound understanding of public law, reliable legal judgement and a sound appreciation of legal risk. You will be able to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and produce timely and fit for purpose advice. As a strong communicator, you’ll be able to make effective decisions, manage conflicting pressures and work to challenging deadlines. Ideally you will have experience of working on an Inquiry or similar inquisitorial process, though this is not essential for the role provided you have a good understanding of the role of lawyers in government.
This role requires candidates to obtain an SC clearance before joining. You must have lived in the UK continuously for the last 5 years in order to clear the SC level checks, therefore, applications from candidates who haven’t lived in the UK continuously for that period will not be considered.
Governance & Assurance Manager – Fixed Term – 2 Years – Dumfries and Galloway Council
Dumfries
£65,190 - £70,182 per year
Exciting and unique opportunity to join Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Governance & Assurance Team.
This new high profile role has strategic responsibility and will assist the Head of Governance and Assurance to lead and manage a range of services to provide assurance of high standards of governance, integrity and protection.
The key focus of the role will be to assist the Head of Governance and Assurance with the implementation of the actions contained in the Review of Financial Procedures and Procurement Standing Orders, including but not limited to Governance related matters contained within the action plan (eg the Review of The Scheme of Delegations, Risk Management, Annual Governance Statement, Key Decisions).
You will be joining at a time of transformational change in our Council and region. This role provides the opportunity for you to support the achievement of Council Priorities and provide leadership, vision and strategic direction about governance and compliance across the organisation.
We are looking for an experienced, forward-thinking and inspiring leader. You will have a Scots Law legal qualification and current Law Society of Scotland Practising Certificate. You will be politically astute and have a strong track record of managing, developing and improving services; shaping and delivering strategic policies; collaborative working; communicating and negotiating effectively; and robust budget management. This post may be suitable for secondment.
For an informal discussion, contact Vlad Valiente, Head of Governance and Assurance t: 07425 615737, or Human Resources, t: 030 33 33 3003, e: HR@dumgal.gov.uk
For further information and to apply, please visit:
Full/Part time - Experienced Family Solicitor – Kee Solicitors
We are a young and growing firm that specialise in family law and have an exciting opportunity for a Solicitor of at least 2 years' PQE to join our team in Stepps, Glasgow. This role will involve a broad caseload of private family law clients.
The successful candidate will have significant experience in family/civil law, including within the Courts. They will manage their own case load and assist generally across the firm. Requires the ability and experience to deal with complex family law matters whilst providing excellent client service. The candidate must be a team player as the firm is very team focused and have the drive and ambition to grow with the firm.
Digby Brown has been one of the success stories of the Scottish legal sector in the past decade – we now operate in seven regional areas across Scotland, having tripled in size in the last nine years.
We are the only firm top ranked by Chambers and Legal 500 for personal injury work, which has been the case now for 16 years running. The Firm has also been voted Scottish Law Firm of the Year in three out of the last six years.
We have developed a reputation as a formidable court firm, focused on quality service for our clients and expertise in our people. We work in a distinctive way – what we do works and makes a difference in people’s lives.
Digby Brown is committed to being an employer of choice, which is evidenced by our competitive salary and benefits package, as well as the opportunities we provide for further development.
To support the quality of service we provide to our clients, and our people’s personal development, we have innovated together and built a brand new, cutting edge, digital client case management system. We have focused on providing modern digital solutions and unique case workflow to our employees and we will continue to adapt this technology in line with our firm values.
In addition, the events of the past year surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic have enabled us to implement a more flexible working approach moving forward, which we are calling Hybrid Working. This will enable our people to split their working time between their homes and the office, on a pre-agreed number of days per week, in line with the needs of their department.
Due to ongoing growth within the business, an opportunity has arisen for a client-focused individual to join our Network team in the Ayr office.
Ideally, you will be a paralegal, with some experience in civil litigation. Alternatively, you may have had commercial training/experience and be seeking an opportunity to move to an area of law where you can make a difference to clients and know that you are doing work that really matters.
The role is based in Ayr, but the successful candidate will only be expected to attend the office one day per week for team meetings and collaboration purposes, should they be based out with the local area. They could then undertake the remainder of their working days, split between home and another of our sites that is closer to them.
The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail, the ability to act on their own initiative and a strong desire to assist others, displaying an empathetic and proactive approach in dealing with clients.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to work in a supportive and stimulating environment, providing a high quality legal service to pursuers of personal injury claims nationwide.
If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and covering letter to David Hendrie, by e-mail at recruit@digbybrown.co.uk as soon as possible.
Hours: Full time (37 hours per week), We are flexible as to how the 37 hours are worked i.e. compressed hours
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: Wednesday 15 December 2021 (midday)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is seeking candidates for a new role within our Legal function as an in-house solicitor, reporting to our Head of Legal. As a Solicitor within HES, your primary responsibility will be providing legal advice to our organisation on a broad range of legal issues.
If you are someone who is; a qualified solicitor and member of the Law Society of Scotland with a current practising certificate, with experience of drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, then this could be a fantastic opportunity for you.
About the role
HES is a unique organisation with a broad range of functions. We are a ‘Non-department Public Body’ (NDPB) with charitable status, as well as operating as a national commercial business within the tourism sector. As a Solicitor within HES your role will involve assisting our Head of Legal in providing advice to the organisation on a wide range of matters, enabling us to manage our legal risks, with a particular focus on commercial contracts. You will also be involved in implementing processes, controls and business improvements to embed a positive culture of legal risk management.
About you
To be successful, as a qualified solicitor with a minimum of 2 years’ PQE, you will have experience in commercial contract drafting, and a willingness to advise our organisation on a wide-ranging, unusual and interesting range of matters.
You will be able to provide evidence of your strong planning, organising, communication, facilitation, negotiation and analytical skills, as well as your ability to produce innovative solutions to business challenges. Full details about the person we are looking for can be found in the job description for this role.
Interested?
Visit our website to view the full job description and for information about applying online for this interesting and exciting opportunity.
Appointment of Board Members – Scottish Charity Regulator
Ranging from local village halls to Colleges and Universities, the Scottish charity sector is as diverse as the country itself. If you would like to play a key part in this exciting area of Scottish life, and to help build a trusted and respected Scottish charity sector which positively contributes to society and the national outcomes, then come and join our Board. Due to upcoming retirements, and as part of effective succession planning, Scottish Ministers wish to appoint up to five members to the Board of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). As a board member you will help us to hold charities in Scotland to account, and enable the charity sector to improve so that the public have trust and confidence in charities.
OSCR is Scotland’s Charity regulator and registrar for Scotland’s 25,000 charities. We are a Non Ministerial Office (NMO) part of the Scottish Administration, working alongside but separate from the Scottish Government. We are accountable to the Scottish Parliament. We believe that the Scottish public should have faith that the country's 25,000 charities are well run, and building public confidence will allow these vital organisations to thrive and cement their place at the heart of our day to day life. We also know how challenging the last year has been for the charity sector, and we want to support their recovery where we can.
The OSCR Board sets the strategic direction and ensures that activities focus on the delivery of key priorities. The Board also sets the overall vision for OSCR and works with the Chief Executive to monitor performance.
We are looking for up to five new Board members. We welcome interest from individuals who may not have had previous Board experience, but who have the potential to contribute, who wish to develop their skills in this area and are willing to learn.
For three out of the five new members we are seeking someone with at least one of the following priority skills and experience:
Current or recent experience as a practising Scottish lawyer
Current or recent experience as a practising accountant/finance professional (experience of Chairing an ARAC desirable)
Understanding of regulation at a senior level in any sector
All candidates should have the following essential core skills and qualities:
Ability to work in a team
Ability to ensure effective governance through constructive challenge and influence
Good communication skills
Ability to analyse and review complex issues
Appointments are based on meeting the skills required and these are described in more detail in the application pack.
Appointment details: We anticipate that these appointments will commence on 1 April 2022, however there may be scope for appointments to commence later than that. Appointments will be for a period of up to four years, with the possibility of re-appointment subject to evidence of effective performance and satisfying the skills, knowledge and personal qualities required at the time of re-appointment. Start dates and appointment length will be discussed with the successful candidates.
Time Commitment: The formal time commitment is up to 2 days per month which includes attending approximately 6 board meetings and 2 strategy days per year, as well as either our Audit Risk and Assurance Committee or Casework Committee.
Location: Meetings were historically held alternately in Dundee and other locations as appropriate however due to the recent pandemic all meetings are being held remotely.
Remuneration: £210 per day. Travel, subsistence, and reasonable dependent carer allowance incurred as a result of carrying out the duties associated with this appointment will be reimbursed. This is non-pensionable.
Should you wish to enquire whether you have a possible conflict of interest or wish more information on OSCR please contact Maureen Mallon, OSCR Chief Executive via email Maureen.Mallon@oscr.org.uk or telephone 01382 220446.
Closing date for applications is Friday 3 December 2021 at Midnight.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the website, please contact the Public Appointments Team on Freephone 0300 244 1898, by email at Public.appointments@gov.scot.
We would welcome applications from anyone who believes they could make a strong contribution although we are also seeking to broaden the diversity of the Board including the breadth of its geographical involvement, gender balance and engagement of other groups currently under-represented on Scotland’s public bodies, such as disabled people, those from black and minority ethnic communities and people under 50.
Appointed on merit; committed to diversity and equality.
Permanent Preferably 4 years+ PQE (other levels of PQE considered) Edinburgh based (flexible working options considered). £neg
Lindsays is a full-service law firm with a reputation for providing an excellent and outstanding service to clients. Our specialist teams offer a diverse range of services, allowing us to cater to the needs of a wide range of clients, whether individual or corporate.
We have a great opportunity for an experienced litigator to join our well-established team. You will advise our clients on a wide range of contentious matters, with a particular focus on commercial disputes. Property litigation experience is essential. Insolvency expertise would be beneficial. Working with a supportive team, there will be opportunities to develop expertise in other contentious specialisms - whether building on experience you already have or broadening your practice into entirely new areas. You can expect to be involved in Sheriff Court and Court of Session actions, as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution.
This is a permanent role with core hours of 9am - 5pm (flexible).
Key responsibilities include:
Provision of a high-quality dispute resolution service to our clients.
Maintaining regular client contact and addressing their needs and requirements.
Managing a busy and varied caseload.
Appearing at Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland, whether remotely or in person.
Supervising and mentoring trainees and recently qualified solicitors.
Recording all time and generating appropriate levels of fee income.
Undertaking regular file reviews.
Keeping up to date with developments in the law and regulatory requirements.
Attending and/ or contributing to internal and external seminars.
Developing expertise in key areas to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Contributing legal up-dates and analysis to the firm’s website and trade press.
Active participation in a range of business development initiatives.
If you are interested in applying for the above role and possess the relevant experience please send your CV, including a note of your current salary, to Pauline Dalbeck, HR Manager, Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HE or email: recruitment@lindsays.co.uk
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced solicitor to join BTO’s Corporate team in Glasgow.
The role will support the Corporate team with a broad case load in corporate law including mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations, commercial contracts, corporate governance, and shareholder investment agreements.
Candidates must have knowledge of general corporate law with experience of drafting transactions. High levels of initiative, motivation and commercial acumen are essential, together with well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships with clients and other team members.
A competitive salary and flexible benefits package will be offered commensurate with experience.
For further information please visit the Careers page on our website: http://www.bto.co.uk/careers.aspx
To apply, please forward your CV to hr@bto.co.uk along with a covering letter and details of your salary expectation.
Paralegal – Real Estate / Residential Property – Brodies LLP
Brodies LLP is a UK law firm headquartered in Scotland. It is the largest firm in its jurisdiction measured by income, directory rankings, and lawyer numbers. In the last three years, the firm's revenue has grown by 20%, and almost 100 new colleagues have joined. Today, we have more than 750 colleagues and offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, The Highlands, London and Brussels. We combine colleagues' expertise in all business areas, to deliver Enlightened Thinking - new knowledge and new legal possibilities - uniquely suited to our Scottish, UK and international clients.
JOB TITLE
Paralegal – Real Estate / Residential Property
Flexible location
REPORTING TO
Miriam Armstrong, Managing Associate and Charles Hay, Managing Associate
JOB PURPOSE
To take responsibility for completing purchases and processing all residential sales for private clients, and when required processing plot sales for home builder clients. In addition, the successful candidate may be required provide support to the solicitor group in connection with commercial property transactions.
CORE TASKS
Examining and reporting on title.
Preparing states for settlement and cash statements to clients.
Preparing cash forms and instructing bank transfers.
Taking client’s instructions, providing quotes and dealing with the opening of files.
Instructing searches and reports required for residential and commercial property transactions.
Taking instructions from Solicitor for sale and purchase files, transfers of title, new build purchases, discharge and remortgage work.
Dealing with clients, estate agents, mortgage lenders and solicitors at every stage of the transaction from initial instructions and noting interest, throughout missive stage (under supervision) and through to completion.
Advising and keeping clients up to date with the progress of their transaction both via email and telephone contact.
Preparing Standard Security for signature.
Ordering Searches on sale and on purchase reviewing same and interpreting results.
Preparing Disposition and all other conveyancing drafts.
Raising observations both standard and in light of search entries and Home Report review.
Ordering funds from Lender.
Preparing settlement terms in readiness for completion of transaction.
Submitting LBTT Returns online and having a general knowledge of LBTT requirements to include ADS.
Registering property with Registers of Scotland and completing necessary Forms for registration.
Dealing with post settlement claims under guidance from Solicitor.
Be aware of Brodies’ information security policies, and protect information assets from unauthorised access, disclosure, modification, destruction or interference at all times.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Previous experience of residential transactions is desirable.
Previous experience of examination of title to Scottish property is essential.
Excellent team player.
Adopts a flexible and proactive approach to work duties.
Professional in all dealings with clients and projects a positive image of the firm at all time.
SKILLS
Self-motivated and driven
Accurate
Prepared, organised and able to prioritise
Commercial and profit focus
Excellent communication skills
To apply for this role, please send a copy of your CV with a covering letter to legalrecruitment@brodies.com quoting reference BR1047.
Thorntons has one of the largest Private Client teams in Scotland. Our team are experts in every aspect of Private Client work and are recognised as leaders in their field. Our firm is growing and we are looking for additional Solicitors to join the busy team. These roles can be based from any of our Edinburgh, Dundee, Fife or Angus offices and our hybrid working approach allows for a blend of working at home as well as in the office.
Where every day is different
You will advise individuals and families on all aspects of planning for their future including Wills, Executries, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Tax and Estate planning and Asset protection. The strength and breadth of experience in the team means that you will have a strong support network as you develop your experience and expertise in this field and we will fully support you to achieve your long term career goals.
About you
You will ideally have some previous experience in Wills, Trusts and Executries either during your Traineeship or as a Qualified Solicitor. You will be passionate about client service and committed to building and sustaining good client relationships. You will be comfortable working in a fast paced environment, have excellent attention to detail, and strong communication skills necessary to work in a multi-location team. You will also be keen to play a role in business development and networking activities and participate in the strategic growth of the firm.
About us
Thorntons has grown significantly in recent years following a number of strategic mergers and investments into one of Scotland’s top 5 independent law firms. Throughout its successful expansion, our focus has remained the same, to provide the highest quality legal advice and service, when and where clients need it.
We are progressive and ambitious. While we expect high standards from our people, we recognise and value the contribution they make to our business – and our success. We see the whole person, not just the person in the workplace – and we’re aware that our people have busy lives outside work. Our advanced technology allows many of our people to benefit from agile working. It’s simple common sense: do our best for our people and they’ll do their best for us.
At Thorntons we pride ourselves on doing what is right, and as two time winners of the Scottish Business Insider Employer of the Year Awards you can see why our People choose, and enjoy a career with Thorntons.
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm, 35 hrs per week.
Benefits
Competitive Salary
Investment in Training, Development and Career Advancement Opportunities
25 days holiday (rising with length of service to 30 days) plus 7 public holidays
We have an exciting opportunity for a solicitor of up to 5 years PQE to join BTO’s Family Law Team in Edinburgh. This role will involve a broad case load in respect of family law.
The successful candidate will support Lesley Gordon, Partner, and others in the team, whilst managing their own caseload in all aspects of family law.
Candidates must have excellent client care skills, the ability to work in a team orientated environment as well as independently, and have high levels of initiative and motivation. Experience in family law is preferred but not essential.
BTO offers a friendly and positive working environment with a competitive salary and benefits package.
For further information please visit the Careers page on our website: http://www.bto.co.uk/careers.aspx
To apply, please forward your CV to hr@bto.co.uk along with a covering letter and details of your salary expectation.
We are seeking a talented Real Estate Lawyer to join our Edinburgh based team. You will be at the forefront of a successfully growing venture for a market-leading firm at an exciting time of expansion. You will benefit from the guidance, support and expertise of an award-winning Leadership team.
You will find our offices in Edinburgh’s Exchange District, located in the heart of the city’s leading financial and business centre. Edinburgh is a vibrant city overflowing with culture, creatives, comedy, festivals, food and heritage.
Team
Our Edinburgh Real Estate team, led by partner Robert Forman, provides a full range of transactional and advisory real estate services in both commercial property and the energy sector.
You will be joining a UK wide award-winning, multi-disciplinary team, ranked in the top tier by both Chambers and Legal 500.
We offer high-quality, commercial advice and support to a wide range of clients across a variety of sectors including offices, retail, industrial and logistics, housing, healthcare, energy, hotels, student accommodation and government and infrastructure.
You will be expected to actively participate in the firm’s efforts to cultivate new and existing clients; to continue to improve your technical skills and your understanding and application of the professional standards required of you as a lawyer; and to contribute positively to the culture of the firm.
If you are not already qualified in England and Wales, you will have the opportunity to do so, with full support from the firm.
What Others Say…
“The team is very good at understanding not only the wishes but also the personality of the client noting that the lawyers are able to respond to client needs accordingly."
(Chambers)
“There is top-to-bottom collaboration in understanding the issues involved in a project – from the partner in charge to the senior associate and the solicitor.”
(Legal 500)
Requirements
We look for individuals who have developed themselves and their capabilities, coupled with strong commercial and legal potential.
You will have recent and relevant work experience delivering real estate legal services
You will be a strong team player, demonstrate a willingness to learn and be self-motivated.
You must be able to manage a complex and varied workload effectively.
A full overview of all the benefits of working at Burges Salmon can be found on the 'working at Burges Salmon' section of our careers page. We are committed to finding the right person for this role and we are open to discussing flexible working, full time or part time working patterns.
It's important to us that our organisation represents the diverse community in which we operate and we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. As a Disability Confident employer we will provide a fully accessible recruitment process.
Get in touch!
Our Resourcing team can provide further insight into the firm and an overview of the department to make sure this is the right career move for you. For a confidential conversation please contact Penny Bowring on 0117 307 6201.
Solicitor - Housing and General Court Department – Legal Services Agency
Salary: £27,082 to £38,447; SP 27- 39 (dependent upon experience)
plus pension contribution
Experience: Newly qualified applicants welcome
Contract: 35 hours per week Location: Glasgow (Due to COVID-19, currently operating blended office based and remote working service)
Closing date: 30th November 2021 at 5pm Interviews: To be confirmed
Legal Services Agency (LSA) has opportunities for enthusiastic and committed individuals to join our team. We are seeking fully qualified solicitors holding an unrestricted Scottish practicing certificate with interest in social justice to address disadvantage and experience in one or more of the following:
Social welfare law
Discrimination and equality law
Housing and homelessness law
Employment law
Public law
LSA is one of Scotland’s largest Law Centres. Through its solicitors and other staff, operating as Brown & Co. Legal LLP, LSA has a 30-year legacy of serving individuals, families and communities across Scotland, addressing unmet legal need and the effects of poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. LSA’s legal service has developed pioneering legal remedies through test cases and campaigns on issues such as dampness, housing repair and evictions, Criminal Injuries Compensation, mental health law and asylum and immigration law. LSA also delivers a wide range of seminars and training programmes and publications on legal themes.
We provide high-quality legal advice, assistance, and representation in areas of housing law, preventing homelessness, mental health, discrimination, welfare benefits and social security, community care, criminal injuries compensation and employment law.
The work is rewarding, and the expertise of the Service is highly regarded and nationally recognised. The position offers considerable scope and opportunity for personal and long-term professional development.
About you
You will be a highly motivated and resilient individual who welcomes challenges. You will have experience of handling your own caseload and accustomed to dealing with a diverse range of clients.
You will be an excellent team player with a commitment to equality and diversity and an eagerness to tackling the unmet legal needs of those in disadvantage. You will have experience of civil legal aid with excellent fee consciousness. Knowledge of the voluntary sector and successful delivery of projects will be advantageous.
Application process:
We would keen to hear from applicants committed to social justice.
Please submit your CV with a covering letter addressing the job description and person specification stating why this post is of interest to you to: elizabethstewart@lsa.org.uk. Please include details of your current salary, notice period and a note of two referees one of which should be your most recent employer. For equality purposes, please do not include your full name on either the covering letter or CV, only in your email. The personal information in your email will not be made available to the selection panel.
Please also complete and return the Equality and Diversity Questionnaire. This information is used purely for statistical purposes and will have no bearing on your application.
Please indicate whether you are eligible to work in the UK and if you require a work permit/visa to work in the UK.
Please also indicate if you have you any convictions (other than spent convictions) under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If yes, please give details.
Legal Services Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
Legal Services Agency Ltd. is a registered charity no SC017160 and a company limited by guarantee, registered no. SC12391
DAC Beachcroft is looking to appoint a 2 - 5 year PQE solicitor to join our Complex Injury Team in Glasgow. Our clients are a mix of leading names in the insurance industry and our Complex Team primarily deals with large loss and catastrophic injury claims across motor, EL and PL cases. The role will primarily see you provide assistance to two Partners and an Associate in running their complex and catastrophic injury files of a high value and importance, whilst also running your own caseload primarily consisting of lower to mid-value claims. This is an outstanding opportunity to join an established and well regarded team and to devleop your career accordingly.
Conveyancing/Commercial Property roles – MHD Law LLP
Have two vacant posts
Conveyancing Solicitor or Conveyancing Paralegal and
Commercial Property Conveyancer
Fed up with time recording and billable hours?
MHD Law LLP, is a long-established, highly regarded firm based in Leith. We are committed to developing a diverse workforce and promoting equal opportunities. You will be joining a small friendly firm comprising 24 people. We think that this is a great place to work.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, hard-working solicitor or paralegal with experience in residential conveyancing for a permanent full-time position.
We are also looking an enthusiastic, hard-working solicitor with experience in commercial conveyancing for a permanent full-time position.
PQE 1-10 years. Good career prospects for the right candidates.
We are looking to expand our established Private Client Team within our busy North East firm.
Due to the nature of our client base, providing advice on all aspects of Private Client matters the successful candidates will handle a broad range of Private Client service areas, with particular emphasis on conveyancing, Wills and Powers of Attorney.
This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidates to develop their career with genuine Partnership prospects in a professional and rewarding rural environment.
Applications are invited from Solicitors at any stage of their legal career who feel they can contribute to the Firm’s growth, whilst working in an environment where they will be encouraged and supported.
A competitive salary based on skills and experience is offered. If you are interested in applying for this role, please send a full CV to: fpurdie@stewartwatson.co.uk
Govan Law Centre seeks a Solicitor to join our award-winning legal team in Glasgow.
Competitive salary.
Govan Law Centre is seeking a qualified solicitor (newly qualified would be considered) with civil court experience. Experience in the legal fields of housing, homelessness, employment and public law would be an advantage.
This is a full time position, however, job share will be considered. (If applying for job share, please indicate your preferred working hours.)
The position will be based in our Govanhill office and will include provision of a variety of legal advice and representation in terms of mainly housing, employment, debt and homelessness, working with an extremely vulnerable client group. It will also include supporting our Prevention of Homeless Caseworker and Welfare Rights Caseworker and providing legal representation at court and tribunals.
The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to work with our respected Solicitor Advocate and be involved in Court of Session work.
The successful candidates MUST :
Hold a degree in Scots Law
A diploma in legal practice
An unrestricted Law Society of Scotland practising certificate
Have good research and analytical skills
Ability to work well under supervision
Work well within an experienced legal team
It would be desirable if the candidates had
Knowledge and experience of issues relating to social welfare law
Experience in housing and employment law
Experience in appearing in court or tribunal settings
Experience in dealing with vulnerable clients
Experience in handling a large and varied workload
Please send a CV and covering letter explaining why you are interested in this position to: Candy Walker, Service Manager, Govan Law Centre, 18-20 Orkney Street, Glasgow, G51 2BX or by e-mail to cwalker@govanlc.com.
CLOSING DATE: TUESDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2021 AT 12 NOON
Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Senior Solicitor or Associate, Personal Injury and Commercial Litigation – Morton Fraser
Edinburgh
Full Time, Permanent
To assist partners and other solicitors in providing litigation services and provide legal advice on defender personal injury cases and a range of other commercial litigation.
Key Tasks
Manage your workload competently, professionally, efficiently and cost effectively with minimum supervision to achieve client and firm objectives.
Advise clients on rights and remedies.
Draft pleadings efficiently and accurately.
Represent clients in court.
Instruct counsel speedily and accurately.
Be pro-active in the financial control of all your own matters, including accurate time recording and prompt feeing.
Contribute constructively to the work of other members of the division.
Support the firm's marketing initiatives and identify and maximise opportunities to sell the services of the firm.
Contribute to organising and delivering technical training within the division and team.
Qualifications and Experience
2-4 years' PQE
Person Specification
You have excellent communication skills, you are articulate, you communicate clearly, concisely and without any jargon.
You enjoy working within a team and autonomously on your own initiative.
You are personable and good at building and developing client relationships.
You are confident and you have a strong belief in yourself and your own ability.
You are committed to providing a good client experience and willing to put in extra time and effort when required
Conveyancing solicitor/paralegal roles available As our name would suggest conveyancing is what we do at Your Conveyancer. Residential conveyancing and specifically purchase, sale and remortgage is our core business. We provide volume conveyancing services dedicated solely to the financial services and property sectors and to their customers. Our clients include many of the UK’s leading mortgage lenders, estate agents, mortgage brokers, IFAs and builders.
We are looking for experienced Solicitors and/or paralegals to join our ambitious and growing property team.
We can offer you a varied caseload and any appropriate training. You will work on a range of residential conveyancing matters and will be adept in all types of domestic conveyancing matters. You will be encouraged to develop your own skills alongside our experienced team.
To be successful in the role, you will:
Ideally have 2 years' PQE Residential Conveyancing Experience. (Minimum 2+ years Qualified)
Be able to build and maintain effective relationships with clients and colleagues at all levels
Be highly organised with the ability to cope with multiple responsibilities within tight timescales
Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
Be Computer literate
You will be joining a friendly and approachable law firm with approximately 100 employees.
Established Inverclyde practice seeks an experienced solicitor. Based in the Greenock office the role will include some other chamber work but will focus on conveyancing.
Very much a career move than just a job, there will be significant opportunity for advancement for the right candidate.
Competitive salary and benefits.
All interested parties should contact Duncan Luke on 07858 659464 and by email on dluke@blair-bryden.co.uk
Solicitor - Catastrophic Injury Team (At least 2 years’ PQE) – Digby Brown Solicitors
Full-time, Permanent
Glasgow
Due to ongoing growth within the business, an opportunity has arisen for a client-focused litigator to join our Catastrophic Injury Team in the Glasgow office.
This post will suit a qualified lawyer who has at least 2 years PQE, strong litigation skills, and some experience in civil litigation. Alternatively, you may have had commercial training/experience and be seeking an opportunity to move to an area of law where you can make a difference to clients and know that you are doing work that really matters.
The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail, the ability to act on their own initiative and a strong desire to assist others, displaying an empathetic and proactive approach in dealing with clients.
Digby Brown has been one of the success stories of the Scottish legal sector in the past decade – we now operate in seven regional areas across Scotland, having tripled in size in the last nine years.
We are the only firm top ranked by Chambers and Legal 500 for personal injury work, which has been the case now for 15 years running. The Firm has also been voted Scottish Law Firm of the Year in three out of the last six years.
We have developed a reputation as a formidable court firm, focused on quality service for our clients and expertise in our people. We work in a distinctive way – what we do works and makes a difference in people’s lives.
Digby Brown is committed to being an employer of choice, which is evidenced by our competitive salary and benefits package, as well as the opportunities we provide for further development – a total of 14 of our 25 Partners joined us as NQs or Trainees.
To support the quality of service we provide to our clients, and our people’s personal development, we have innovated together and built a brand new, cutting edge, digital client case management system. We have focused on providing modern digital solutions and unique case workflow to our employees and we will continue to adapt this technology in line with our firm values.
In addition, the events of the past year surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic have enabled us to implement a more flexible working approach moving forward, which we are calling Hybrid Working. This will enable our people to split their working time between their homes and the office, on a pre-agreed number of days per week, in line with the needs of their department.
This is a wonderful opportunity to join one of our specialist teams and develop your skills in a very challenging area of PI law.
If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and covering letter to David Hendrie, by e-mail at recruit@digbybrown.co.uk by Thursday 21 October 2021.
Residential Property Law Seminar | Law Society of Scotland | Live Online Sponsored post
30 November | 3 hours' verifiable CPD
Join us this November where we look at the past year, the challenges it presented for the Residential Property Sector, the lessons learned and assess what the future looks like. Our speakers will bring you essential case law and legal updates, strategic insights and practical guidance on a range of practical issues and how to the top-tips on the issues for best results.
Turcan Connell | Carbon Seminar Series: The Evolution of the UK carbon market Sponsored post
Turcan Connell are hosting a series of short virtual seminars covering the legal (and other) implications of the evolving market for trading carbon in the UK. These free online seminars will be hosted via Zoom – sign up details below.
Thursday 25th November - 10am to 11am
The Evolving Carbon Market - how much has it actually evolved, and where must it go?
Death, Disease and Pestilence
Risks and rewards – featuring:
David Robertson, Scottish Woodlands
Stephen Prior, Forest Carbon
Freddie Ingleby, Caledonian Climate Partners
Thursday 9th December - 10am to 11am
The Evolving Carbon Market - are the UK Carbon Standards fit for purpose in a commercial market?
UK off-sets for UK pollution?
Featuring Dr Vicky West, the UK Woodland Carbon Code Manager.
For more information on the seminars and to register your place, please click here.
CPD Packages | Law Society of Scotland Sponsored post
Like to be organised and get great value?
Book a flexible CPD Package and receive a bank of 20 hours you can use to attend any of the CPD conferences, webinars and seminars we offer throughout the practice year. You can use your hours to book in-person, live online or on-demand CPD.*
While our packages are completely flexible, we do recommend specific training for each individual package based on practice areas. We will continue to add tailored CPD to our programme throughout the year, so there will be a wealth of options for you to choose from.
Follow the links for full details of each package:
For more information about Law Society of Scotland CPD Packages please visit our website.
*Please note Certification Courses, Essential Skills Courses, Trainee CPD and the New Partner Practice Management Course are not covered by CPD packages.
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Scottish Legal News is a digest of news stories from many sources. We strive to be accurate. If you see anything in the bulletin which is misleading or wrong, please contact the Editor
The UK government must address ethical, legal, logistical and political challenges arising from new border checks due to launch next year that will affect UK residents travelling to the EU, according to the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
Scotland is to introduce 'sobriety tags' for offenders who commit alcohol-fuelled crimes.
The number of traineeships begun in the last practice year totalled 744, up from 434 in the previous year, new figures from the Law Society of Scotland show.
New homes and buildings such as supermarkets and workplaces, as well as those undergoing major renovation, will be required to install electric vehicle charge points from next year, under new UK government legislation announced today.
Thompsons Solicitors has announced the appointment of Craig Snee to the role of senior solicitor in its Dundee office.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has been attacked by the bar over claims he is ignoring the problems in the criminal courts, The Times reports.
Just Employment Law has raised £73,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland through an online auction.
Legal technology expert and Denovo Operations Director, Steven Hill, says; “Technology is only as good as the processes already in place. Now is the time to start rethinking processes. For example, Litigation is a notoriously difficult process with a lot of risk —it’s rigid, time-consuming, introduces friction and delays. To truly solve the problem of litigation we must start thinking about dealing with the matter differently. Because if all we do is apply technology to an already broken process, we’ll just exasperate the problem.”
Technology in the 21st Century is providing us with the means to communicate our thoughts and ideas across the planet in a way that would have been unthinkable, even 10 years ago.
Job Ref: LS02
We currently have a vacancy for a paralegal to join our friendly executry team.
Fife Law Centre is seeking to recruit a Legal Assistant with previous experience in a legal environment, to work as part of a small team focused on improving the lives of people across Fife.
Well established firm in Cambuslang seeks an Assistant Solicitor experienced in both Residential and Commercial Conveyancing. (Minimum 2 + years qualified).
Grade 7 Employment Lawyers
Dumfries
We are a young and growing firm that specialise in family law and have an exciting opportunity for a Solicitor of at least 2 years' PQE to join our team in Stepps, Glasgow. This role will involve a broad caseload of private family law clients.
Full-time, Permanent
Starting Salary: £41,867 per annum
Ranging from local village halls to Colleges and Universities, the Scottish charity sector is as diverse as the country itself. If you would like to play a key part in this exciting area of Scottish life, and to help build a trusted and respected Scottish charity sector which positively contributes to society and the national outcomes, then come and join our Board. Due to upcoming retirements, and as part of effective succession planning, Scottish Ministers wish to appoint up to five members to the Board of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). As a board member you will help us to hold charities in Scotland to account, and enable the charity sector to improve so that the public have trust and confidence in charities. 
Permanent
Location - Glasgow
Brodies LLP is a UK law firm headquartered in Scotland. It is the largest firm in its jurisdiction measured by income, directory rankings, and lawyer numbers. In the last three years, the firm's revenue has grown by 20%, and almost 100 new colleagues have joined. Today, we have more than 750 colleagues and offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, The Highlands, London and Brussels. We combine colleagues' expertise in all business areas, to deliver Enlightened Thinking - new knowledge and new legal possibilities - uniquely suited to our Scottish, UK and international clients.
Edinburgh/Fife/Angus/Dundee
Unique opportunity to realise your potential 
Salary: £27,082 to £38,447; SP 27- 39 (dependent upon experience)
DAC Beachcroft is looking to appoint a 2 - 5 year PQE solicitor to join our Complex Injury Team in Glasgow. Our clients are a mix of leading names in the insurance industry and our Complex Team primarily deals with large loss and catastrophic injury claims across motor, EL and PL cases. The role will primarily see you provide assistance to two Partners and an Associate in running their complex and catastrophic injury files of a high value and importance, whilst also running your own caseload primarily consisting of lower to mid-value claims. This is an outstanding opportunity to join an established and well regarded team and to devleop your career accordingly.
Have two vacant posts
We are looking to expand our established Private Client Team within our busy North East firm.
Govan Law Centre seeks a Solicitor to join our award-winning legal team in Glasgow.
Edinburgh
Location: Dunfermline
Established Inverclyde practice seeks an experienced solicitor. Based in the Greenock office the role will include some other chamber work but will focus on conveyancing.
