COPFS is offering a number of Legal Traineeships with anticipated start dates commencing:
September 2026 and March 2027.
The COPFS Legal Traineeship offers a wide range of experience and opportunities in the public prosecution service in Scotland. You will have the chance to work at Crown Office, which is COPFS’ Headquarters. The traineeship will also involve successful candidates undertaking a range of responsibilities within the Procurator Fiscal’s offices throughout Scotland, including the preparation and presentation of cases in the Summary courts. If you successfully complete the traineeship you may enrol as a qualified solicitor in Scotland.
Trainees will have the opportunity to work in Procurator Fiscal’s offices throughout Scotland on rotation, flexibility around location is sought. You may also spend a proportion of the traineeship working within another government agency.
Your first seat will most likely be based in Edinburgh, with your following seats likely to become available in the following locations:
Edinburgh
Livingston
Dundee
Falkirk
Kirkcaldy
Perth
Aberdeen
Inverness
Dumbarton
Paisley
Kilmarnock
Glasgow
Airdrie
Hamilton
You will be asked to provide your location preferences in order of merit during the recruitment process. Please note that while efforts will be made to consider preferences, there is no guarantee that you will be given a seat in your preferred location as this is based on business need. You may be asked to relocate or travel to any of the offices listed and should be willing to work in any of the above offices.
Working for COPFS
Starting Salary
Year 1 - £32,455 rising to £36,188 in year 2.
Our benefits
We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:
Eligibility
A Scots Law LLB (or an equivalent Honours Degree in other subjects, combined with a degree in Scots Law)
A valid Diploma in Legal Practice from a Scottish University,
An Entrance Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland.
Criteria/Assessment
Candidates will be required to demonstrate judgement and competence throughout the assessment process. This will include a presentation at the interview stage.
Full information is available in the application pack.
Closing date
Applications must be submitted by 11.55pm on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Other Information
Please also see our full application pack for the behavioural competences which are required for this role. Application packs are available to download from our website. http://www.copfs.gov.uk/careers.
Selection will be competency based.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
If you require further information, please email Recruitment@copfs.gov.uk
Please note that COPFS has exemptions from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974).
COPFS must also adhere to strict Civil Service and Cabinet Office Baseline Personnel Security Standards regarding nationality, identity and history verification rules.