Assistant Solicitor

Role overview

An opening has arisen for assistant solicitors to join the legal team supporting the Emma Caldwell Inquiry. The Inquiry was established on 9 December 2025, and its published Terms of Reference focus on the original investigation into Emma Caldwell’s murder and whether anything could have been done to arrest Iain Packer earlier.

The legal team is led by the Solicitor to the Inquiry, Ciara Pang. As the Inquiry is still at an early stage, this post offers a chance to contribute meaningfully to an important public investigation from the outset. The successful candidate will work closely with the other assistant solicitors, the wider Inquiry team, and report to the deputy solicitor, Duncan Peat.

This post suits someone with strong accuracy, sound judgement, and the confidence to work across a wide range of legal tasks in a small team environment. It also offers the rare opportunity to support a high-profile public inquiry. The Inquiry must remain, and be perceived to remain, independent and impartial to preserve public trust.

Key duties

• Gathering and retrieving evidence, including dealing with external organisations and stakeholders.
• Assessing recovered material for relevance to the Terms of Reference and preparing evidence summaries and thematic reports for counsel.
• Using evidence to help develop new lines of inquiry, identify witnesses, and contribute to the Inquiry’s issues list.
• Managing redaction and disclosure in line with Inquiry policies and procedures.
• Working closely with counsel and providing regular instruction and liaison support.
• Offering legal advice to the Chair when needed.
• Coordinating with solicitors for core participants and helping facilitate witness statements from their clients.
• Supporting counsel in identifying and instructing expert witnesses where appropriate.
• Drafting and maintaining compliance with the Inquiry’s procedural and protocol documents.
• Ensuring GDPR compliance across relevant workstreams.
• Providing practical and legal support to the Chair and counsel during hearings, including producing post-hearing summaries of oral evidence.

Skills and experience sought

Applicants should be able to carry out robust legal analysis using information from multiple sources and large sets of data. The role also requires experience of complex legal casework or investigations involving substantial volumes of sensitive evidence.

Strong communication, collaboration, decision-making, and delivery skills are essential, alongside the ability to influence effectively and work well with others in a fast-moving setting.

Application process

Applications must be submitted online with a CV and a supporting statement of no more than 1000 words. The statement should show how you meet the required skills, experience, and behaviours set out in the Success Profile.

AI tools may be used to assist with an application, but every statement and example must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on the applicant’s own experience. Any plagiarism, including presenting AI-generated content or someone else’s experience as your own, may lead to withdrawal of the application and disciplinary action for internal candidates. Additional guidance is available on acceptable and unacceptable AI use in recruitment.

If shortlisted, candidates will complete an interview and presentation. The expected timeline, subject to change, is sift during the week commencing 13 July 2026 and interview during the week commencing 27 July 2026.

Location and working pattern

The role is based in Scotland, with Victoria Quay named as the in-person assessment location. The Inquiry will operate from two bases: Edinburgh for administration and Glasgow for oral hearings. The successful candidate will need to travel regularly between the two sites and should expect to be present in Glasgow for the duration of the hearings. Some virtual and hybrid working may be possible at certain points.

Standard working hours are 35 hours per week. Because the role supports public hearings, annual leave and flexible working arrangements will be restricted at times, and this should be considered by applicants, including those on job-share or other working patterns.

Appointment type and duration

This is a fixed-term appointment under a fair and open process, with a total duration of 47 months.

Security and recruitment conditions

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) before appointment. This includes identity, right to work, employment history, and an unspent criminal record check. Internal candidates may also need to obtain a higher level of clearance than they currently hold.

As a government organisation, the Scottish Government follows Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and will investigate complaints related to recruitment cases.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a solicitor or advocate qualified to practise in Scotland. Applications from candidates qualified in other jurisdictions will also be considered. The organisation will not consider applications from anyone who has worked for the Crown Office or Police Scotland, due to the need to maintain independence and impartiality.

About the employer

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland and is responsible for major policy areas including education, health, the economy, justice, housing, and transport. It offers careers across Scotland in a variety of professional roles and operates as part of the UK Civil Service under the Civil Service Code.

The organisation describes itself as supportive and inclusive, with a wide range of employee benefits and a commitment to diversity, equality, and recruitment adjustments for candidates who need them. Staff are also subject to the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Further information

More details about the organisation, employee benefits, and the application process are available through its careers resources and candidate guidance. Enquiries about this opportunity may be directed to Ciara Pang or Duncan Peat using their provided email contacts.