Trainee Solicitor (Ref: 80443)

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Trainee Solicitor

This role is a fixed term appointment for 24 months with the potential to become permanent.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. We receive over 30,000 applications a year for compensation, from people who have lost loved ones or have been injured as a result of violent crime. We know financial compensation can never fully redress what they have suffered. Nevertheless, what we do is an important part of providing justice for victims and we take pride that the compensation we pay helps people move forward with their lives.

Some of the material you will access may include upsetting personal accounts of harm inflicted by others. This could include sexual assault and violence against children which is distressing. We recognise the personal impact this may have over a prolonged period and we provide resilience training, to promote wellbeing.

We employ around 300 people and are based in Glasgow city centre, with excellent transport links. We are a small, engaged, productive workforce with a real sense of corporate community. We want to keep improving our services and the way we work to best serve the public, meet new challenges, deliver value for money and ensure CICA is a great place to work.

This position is based at Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Alexander Bain House, Glasgow, G2 8JQ. In early 2024 we will be moving to a nearby city centre office location. We currently operate a hybrid working business model, where a typical employee works 2-3 days a week in the office and the remainder from home.

Job Description

This is a fixed term appointment for a period of 24 months with the potential to become permanent. Upon successful completion of probation and the traineeship, and subject to there being an appropriate vacancy within the Legal and Policy Team, the candidate may be offered a permanent role which may include a role as a SEO Legal Advisor.

This is an exciting opportunity to work as a Trainee Solicitor within our Legal and Policy Team.

You will provide a high quality legal service to staff from all areas of the organisation, whilst gaining competency to practice as a Solicitor in a supported environment. You will work closely with experienced Solicitors in the Legal and Policy Team.

You will work across the entire range of legal services provided by the Legal and Policy Team, assisting in the drafting of guidance and legal submissions and making decisions on legal queries. There may also be the opportunity to become involved in wider organisational project work, representing the Legal and Policy Team and working with operational colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide prompt, accurate and well written legal advice to staff from all areas of the business on a range of issues, including interpretation and application of the Schemes
• Assist in the management of applications for judicial review, ensuring that the interests of the Authority are protected
• Assist in the drafting of trust deeds and management of the trusts caseload, liaising with representatives and the Official Solicitor as necessary
• Draft submissions in cases involving CICA before the First-tier Tribunal and, as appropriate, the Upper Tribunal
• Assist in drafting policy guidance for operational teams
• Manage a case-database of decisions relevant to the Schemes
• Present cases before the First-tier Tribunal
• Provide advice in respect of corporate governance issues as required
• Comply with Law Society training requirements
• Work in a flexible way and undertake other any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility for this post

Essential Criteria 

• Candidates must be in possession of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree in Scots Law
• Candidates must be in possession of a valid Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (PgDip)
• Candidates must be in possession of an Entrance Certificate, issued by the Law Society of Scotland prior to taking up post
• Excellent oral, written and listening communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely
• A good understanding of public and criminal law
• Ability to analyse and assess complex information
• Positive, self-starting and enthusiastic attitude, and ability to work well both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively at pace

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

How to apply

The selection process for this vacancy will utilise Civil Service Success Profiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours and Strengths.

Stage 1

Applicants should provide a CV and a statement of suitability which evidences the essential criteria. The statement should be no more than 500 words in length.

Stage 2

If you are invited to interview, you will be tested on the following behaviours:

Working Together

Making Effective Decisions

Communicating and Influencing

Delivering at Pace

You will also be asked to deliver a short presentation, topic to be confirmed prior to interview. The interview will also include strength-based questions.

For further information about this vacancy please contact Emma.Hannay@cica.gov.uk

Important Information Regarding Interviews

Interviews are expected to take place in December 2023.

All interviews will be conducted at Alexander Bain House, Glasgow.

Further Information

Following the closing date, this job advertisement will no longer be available to view. You may wish to retain a copy for your records.

A reserve list will be created and will be valid for 12 months. If further vacancies arise for this or similar roles within the organisation, candidates may be appointed from the reserve list in order of merit.

We offer flexible working 7am – 7pm, Monday to Friday. This role is offered on a full-time (37 hours per week) basis.

Disability Confident

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Reasonable Adjustments

Please tell us if you have a disability when you apply, and we can offer reasonable adjustments to help with the selection process.

If you require any assistance at any time, please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm) or e-mail MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com