Deputy Solicitor

Scottish Government OGD Recruitment; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jay Inquiry, a statutory public inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005, is seeking a Deputy Solicitor to lead the Inquiry investigations team in Scotland. You will work closely with the Solicitor to the Inquiry to investigate evidence, identify witnesses, manage oral hearings, and contribute to interim reports and publication deadlines.

The role requires leadership in a fast-paced, independent environment, coordinating with Counsel to support the Chair and ensure timely delivery of

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to the Chair and the Inquiry team, particularly in relation to the application of the Inquiries Act 2005, the Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007, and data handling requirements, including data protection matters.
• Instruct and liaise with Counsel to the Inquiry to identify lines of inquiry to be pursued by the Investigations Team.
• Draft the Inquiry's procedure and protocol documents, monitoring and ensuring compliance with them.
• Work closely with the Delivery & Assurance Programme Team to develop plans and witness trackers that support oral hearing delivery timescales.
• Work closely with the Records & Evidence Team to ensure that the Inquiry record complies with data protection legislation and is appropriately prepared for transfer to the National Records of Scotland.
• Liaise with solicitors representing Core Participants.
• As a member of the leadership team, contribute to a positive working environment that supports diversity, equality, and health and wellbeing.
• Work with other teams to identify, manage, and review evidence and documents submitted to the Inquiry.
• Lead the recruitment and line management of Assistant Solicitors and other legal team members, providing resilience, motivation and support to develop individuals and teams, manage change, and meet challenging deadlines and competing priorities.

Job description

Be part of a statutory public inquiry to keep children safer in the future.

The Deputy Solicitor to the Inquiry will play a leadership role in the Inquiry investigations team, working closely with the Solicitor to the Inquiry in investigating the evidence, identifying witnesses, managing the oral hearings, contributing to drafting of the interim reports and assisting in meeting the publication process deadlines. The overall Inquiry investigations team will work flexibly and constructively with Counsel to the Inquiry and all other teams to ensure the efficient delivery of outcomes and support for the Chair.

The Jay Inquiry is a statutory public inquiry set up under the Inquiries Act 2005 to investigate group based sexual abuse and exploitation of children in Scotland, examine institutional responses to it and make recommendations to better protect children both now and in the future. The inquiry is independent of Scottish Ministers, meaning that the direction and functioning of the inquiry is for its Chair.

When announcing the setting up of the inquiry in early 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for Education stated that "survivors of abuse want to see accountability and improvement delivered as quickly as possible, and that sense of urgency is shared by the Scottish Government. We are determined to act decisively to protect children from the horrendous harm of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

The terms of reference are intentionally broad in nature following discussions with survivors and survivor groups and in order to allow the Chair, Professor Alexis Jay, to set out lines of enquiry that best fulfil the remit. In determining those lines of enquiry, the Chair wishes to hear from survivors.

The Inquiry aims to uphold the highest standards of independence and impartiality. Before applying, all candidates are asked to consider if their career history gives rise to any conflict of interest with the Inquiry's Terms of Reference.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to the Chair and the Inquiry team, particularly in relation to the application of the Inquiries Act 2005, the Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007, and data handling requirements, including data protection matters.
• Instruct and liaise with Counsel to the Inquiry to identify lines of inquiry to be pursued by the Investigations Team.
• Draft the Inquiry's procedure and protocol documents, monitoring and ensuring compliance with them.
• Work closely with the Delivery & Assurance Programme Team to develop plans and witness trackers that support oral hearing delivery timescales.
• Work closely with the Records & Evidence Team to ensure that the Inquiry record complies with data protection legislation and is appropriately prepared for transfer to the National Records of Scotland.
• Liaise with solicitors representing Core Participants.
• As a member of the leadership team, contribute to a positive working environment that supports diversity, equality, and health and wellbeing.
• Work with other teams to identify, manage, and review evidence and documents submitted to the Inquiry.
• Lead the recruitment and line management of Assistant Solicitors and other legal team members, providing resilience, motivation and support to develop individuals and teams, manage change, and meet challenging deadlines and competing priorities.