Job Advert
Solicitor
About the Organisation:
National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best-in-class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well-being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re-invested into essential services.
The Post:
The Central Legal Office (CLO) is part of NHS National Services Scotland. CLO provides legal services to the NHS in Scotland and to the wider public sector.
The Office is looking for a solicitor to join one of our busy litigation teams to spend 50% of their working time advising on (i) Data Protection and FOI issues raised by clients; and (ii) Data Protection and FOI matters relating to the internal operation of CLO. In respect of (ii), this would be as lead at CLO either initially or through time, depending on experience. The remaining 50% of their working time would be spent advising on mental health law and other statutory interpretation matters.
The Candidate:
You will have an interesting and diverse workload and enjoy all aspects of contentious and non-contentious legal work. You will be a team player and enjoy working in a supportive collegiate environment. The post would be suitable for qualified solicitors with some post-qualifying experience. Experience in data protection and FOI work is a pre-requisite. Experience of mental health law is desirable, but not essential.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check. Any candidate who has lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.
Location and Working Pattern:
Gyle Square, Edinburgh.
Currently hybrid working
Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.
Benefits:
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.
Inclusion:
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long-term commitment to staff health and well-being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on NSS.wfrs@nhs.scot
Further information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Michael Stewart, Head of Litigation at michael.stewart5@nhs.scot.
Closing date for completed applications is Sunday 1st June 2025
Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).
NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies