Legal Profession
The Legal Profession provides a high-quality legal service, supporting the rule of law at the heart of the Scottish Government and promoting the creation of a more successful Scotland.
Law at the heart of government
Our legal professionals play a vital role across the Government Legal Service for Scotland, providing high‑quality legal advice that upholds the rule of law and supports effective decision‑making. They advise Ministers and Scottish public sector legal bodies, helping to strengthen understanding of the law and ensure that policies and services are delivered responsibly and effectively.
The Legal Profession offers a rewarding and varied career. With a strong focus on innovation, resilience, diversity, and wellbeing, we invest in our people and our workplace — creating an environment where legal professionals at all stages can grow, make a meaningful contribution, and help shape a sustainable legal service for the future.
The Legal profession at Scottish Government
What we do
We help shape the laws and policies that affect the lives of the people of Scotland.
Our legal professionals advise Ministers and officials on the law, draft and instruct legislation, and represent Ministers in litigation and at Inquiries, to ensure government action aligns with the rule of law.
We also support policy development across government to ensure robust and lawful policy making, working closely with colleagues in other areas including specialist drafters in the Parliamentary Counsel Office.
Our values
We are committed to being a modern, supportive and resilient legal service. We value wellbeing, diversity of thought, kindness, and upholding the rule of law.
Acting openly and transparently, we carry out our work with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Our impact
Our impact is felt across Scotland, from upholding the rule of law to enabling the delivery of national outcomes.
These are just two examples of how our professionals play a role in shaping decisions that influence the country’s future by providing clear and expert legal advice.
Covid‑19 in Scotland
During the COVID 19 pandemic, Government Legal Service for Scotland lawyers drafted and maintained complex secondary legislation to give legal effect to public health protection levels across Scotland.
This work required rapid turnaround, close attention to legal clarity, and careful consideration of proportionality, human rights, and enforceability — ensuring that urgent public health measures were implemented lawfully and transparently.
The Scottish Law Commission
Lawyers within the Government Legal Service for Scotland also support the work of the Scottish Law Commission, contributing to independent law reform projects that modernise and clarify Scots law.
This includes advising on legal policy, supporting consultation processes, and helping to translate detailed recommendations into clear and workable legislation.
Pathways into the Legal profession
There are a range of ways you can enter the Legal profession at the Scottish Government:
Qualified Lawyers
Early and mid‑career lawyers can work across a wide variety of legal areas, contributing to high‑impact public work.
Our comprehensive induction includes peer mentoring, extensive public law training and role‑specific orientation.
With a strong development culture and hybrid working, we offer a supportive environment that enables lawyers to grow professionally while balancing flexibility and meaningful work.
Vacancies for qualified Lawyers, when available, will appear on our careers website.
Legal Trainees
Our Legal Traineeship programme is open to graduates in Scots Law.
As an accredited Law Society of Scotland training provider, we offer one of the most varied and rewarding traineeships available. Our Legal Trainees work at the forefront of public law, gaining hands‑on experience that shapes national outcomes.
Our Legal Traineeship programme offers a supportive environment, with the help of a dedicated Trainee Committee, which oversees development, planning and the overall trainee pathway.
We recruit most years for these posts, usually in early January.
Legal Support Professionals
Our legal support professionals play a key role across our profession; this includes legally qualified roles such as Paralegals, as well as other legally trained roles like Legal Executives, and Professional Legal Support Assistants.
A wide range of opportunities are available for candidates with legal qualifications, for paralegals there is also support to work towards Law Society of Scotland paralegal accreditation.
These roles offer meaningful work, opportunities for development, and a strong foundation for progression within government legal services.
When available, any legal support opportunities will be advertised on our careers website.
Check out our staff stories
Leanna
Discover how Leanna helps turn policy ideas into real legislation.
Robert
Meet Robert — applying his legal training to work that impacts Scotland.
Where you could work
Legal professionals in the Scottish Government work across a wide range of teams and public bodies.
You could join the Scottish Government Legal Directorate advising Ministers, instructing and drafting legislation, or handling government litigation. You could also work in more specialist organisations such as the Scottish Law Commission, Revenue Scotland, the Lord President’s Private Office, or at a public inquiry. As part of the Government Legal Service for Scotland, you would also have the opportunity to work for the UK Government at the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland.
There are also exciting opportunities to work in policy‑focused legal teams supporting areas like Health, Equality or Justice.
How you can make a difference
Your work can influence national outcomes through legislation drafting, policy support and high‑quality legal advice. You may contribute to public law and litigation, ensuring government acts lawfully and responsibly.
With frequent involvement in cross‑government collaboration, you’ll help shape decisions and improve public services across Scotland.
Connectedness and community
Community is at the heart of our profession.
We have vibrant staff networks, including those related to diversity and inclusion, and wellbeing.
We also run annual events within our profession, charity initiatives, and social gatherings to help strengthen colleague connections.
A culture of collaboration and support makes our profession a welcoming and inclusive place to work.
Continued Professional Development (CPD)
We invest in your ongoing development with funded Law Society membership and CPD opportunities.
You’ll have access to coaching, mentoring, a full programme of internal legal seminars, the annual GLSS conference, and a wide range of external training.
We also support career progression through specialisation or cross‑training into new legal areas.
Current vacancies
Check out our current vacancies within the Legal profession.
Professions
Learn more about the other professions within our organsation