Lawyer

Service Care Legal; Easter Howgate; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A legal firm is seeking a lawyer to join its Food & Drink Trade Branch within the Scottish Government Legal Directorate. The role involves providing high-quality legal advice on food and drink trade issues, drafting legislation, and collaborating with various policy teams. A Scottish Qualified Solicitor with strong legal and interpersonal skills is required. This position offers a hybrid work model with a starting salary of £57,701.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of providing legal advice on complex issues.
• Ability to communicate complex legal advice clearly.
• Collaborative team-friendly approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear legal advice on food and drink trade issues.
• Carry out detailed legal analysis across UK, EU, and Scottish law.
• Build effective professional relationships with policy colleagues.

Skills

Strong legal ability applicable to public law

Excellent drafting skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Flexibility and resilience

Education

Scottish Qualified Solicitor

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a lawyer to join the Food & Drink Trade Branch within the Rural Affairs Division of the Scottish Government Legal Directorate (SGLD). The branch is a small, collaborative team of four, working as part of a wider division of 20 lawyers across five specialist teams. This is an exciting opportunity to provide legal support on matters central to Scotland’s food and drink trade, including secondary legislation and work connected with the proposed EU/UK SPS Agreement. You will also have the chance to collaborate across other SGLD divisions, ensuring variety and breadth in your work.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, high-quality legal advice on food and drink trade issues, including drafting secondary legislation.
• Carry out detailed legal analysis, including comparisons across UK, EU, and Scottish law.
• Work with policy colleagues and other teams, building effective professional relationships.
• Communicate complex legal advice in both written and oral form.
• Contribute flexibly to the division’s work, adapting to changing priorities.

Skills & Experience / Qualifications

• Strong legal ability, with skills applicable or transferable to public law in Scotland.
• Must be a Scottish Qualified Solicitor.
• A proven track record of providing legal advice on complex issues.
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to explain complex legal concepts with clarity.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a collaborative, team-friendly approach.
• Flexibility, resilience, and the ability to manage shifting priorities.

Contract & Location

Contract: Start ASAP until 31 August 2026

Location: Hybrid (40% in office, occasional attendance at Parliament)

Salary

Rate: Starting salary in the SGLD is £57,701 + (LTD £302.66 PAYE(inc) £257.02)

How to Apply

Apply today by sending your CV to (url removed) or call on: (phone number removed). We also welcome referrals for this position if they are new to SCS, where a successful recommendation would be worth £250

Additional Information

Job Info

Job Title:

Company:

Service Care Legal

Location:

Posted:

Sep 24th 2025

Closes:

Oct 25th 2025

Sector:

Legal

Contract:

Contract

Hours:

Full Time

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