Job Purpose
The School of Law is seeking two enthusiastic and collaborative practising solicitors to contribute to the set-up and delivery of a new Independent Legal Advice Pilot for survivors of sexual violence in Scotland (‘the SOLACE Project’). The 3-year pilot, funded by the Scottish Government, is an independent initiative led by the Emma Ritch Law Clinic within the Glasgow Open Justice Centre (GO Justice) in the School of Law. It will increase access to justice for complainers in sexual offences cases by providing independent legal advice to complainers in High Court Sexual Offences cases in Scotland. The post-holders will also provide innovative teaching and training to students, enabling the next generation of Scottish lawyers to gain critical legal skills and improved awareness of trauma-informed legal practice. Occasional travel within Scotland will be required.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. To deliver independent, specialist legal advice to complainers of sexual crime as part of the SOLACE Project at the Emma Ritch Law Clinic. This includes, but is not limited to, areas such as the exercise of Victims’ Right to Review; the admission of sexual history and character evidence; representations to the Parole Board for Scotland and general criminal procedure.
2. To provide second-tier legal advice and training to agencies and organisations that provide advocacy support to complainers in sexual violence cases in order to build their capacity to identify and address complex and novel legal issues.
3. To support the Principal Solicitor and Co-Directors of the Emma Ritch Law Clinic in the identification of legal issues of strategic importance to survivors of sexual violence in Scotland.
4. To support the Principal Solicitor and Co-Directors of the Emma Ritch Law Clinic in the legal representation of complainers, including the instruction of counsel, in relation to requests to obtain their medical and other sensitive records.
5. To efficiently manage legal casework with appropriate data protection, ethical and legal compliance, ensuring that clients are well supported and receive high quality legal advice.
6. To supervise law students involved in the SOLACE Project, and to ensure student training in legal skills relevant to this project (e.g. client communication, legal research and drafting, client interviewing and advising).
7. Deliver teaching / training to students involved in the SOLACE Project and to students enrolled on the Emma Ritch Law Clinic Honours Course or other relevant courses as required.
8. To support the regular evaluation and review of clinical legal education activity in accordance with the requirements of the School, the University, and any relevant external accreditation.
9. Support the supervision and assessment of students on experiential undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including feedback on reflective portfolios.
10. To reflect on the work of the SOLACE Project and engage in knowledge exchange activities with other criminal justice stakeholders to promote best practice in the field.
11. To ensure that an inclusive, trauma-informed approach lies at the core of how work is conducted.
12. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of areas of sexual offences law and procedure.
13. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the line manager.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or equivalent in related discipline preferably Scots Law or equivalent, with a growing reputation for scholarship within the subject area.
A2 Admission as a solicitor in Scotland and at least 3 years relevant post-qualification experience as a solicitor or equivalent experience as an advocate.
A3 An understanding of, and commitment to, a trauma informed approach to legal service delivery.
A4 Detailed knowledge of law and procedure relating to sexual offences and general knowledge of the criminal justice system in Scotland.
Desirable
B1 Qualification as a Solicitor-Advocate in Scotland.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Proven, excellent organisational skills including the ability to work proactively as part of a team and independently to deliver legal advice within tight deadlines.
C2 An ability to establish excellent working relationships with partner organisations (e.g. charities, referral agencies or other frontline service providers) and to manage the successful delivery of casework and projects.
C3 An ability to ensure casework and projects meet relevant regulatory requirements, including knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity, safeguarding and GDPR processes.
C4 Evidence of the ability to use a range of teaching and training techniques to enthuse and engage students and/or trainees.
C5 Effective communication skills orally and in writing, including the ability to convey complex legal information in an accessible manner.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Proven track record of providing high quality and objective legal advice and representation in a criminal justice context.
Desirable:
F1 Experience of teaching and / or delivering professional legal training.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8, £50,253 - £58,225 per annum.
These posts have funding until 31st March 2029.
We have funding for 1.5 FTE. We welcome applications from candidates looking for full time and part time opportunities. Please note your preference in your cover letter.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Closing Date: 30 April 2026 at 23:45
