Legal Counsel (Regions)

Network Rail; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Rail, Scotland, is seeking a dynamic Legal Counsel qualified in Scots Law to provide high-quality legal advice to Scotland's Railway. The role emphasises risk management and delivery of legal services with a Monday to Friday pattern and strong work-life balance.

You will work within the Scottish Legal team, collaborating with regional colleagues and the wider legal department on projects from infrastructure to safety and governance.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with post-qualification experience.
• Experience in a relevant legal discipline and ability to get up to speed quickly.
• Ability to identify and minimise corporate legal risk.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing.
• Proactive and commercially minded.
• Creative problem solver with can do attitude.
• Works well under pressure, with the ability to prioritise and handle competing demands.

Responsibilities

• Assist and work alongside the Head of Legal (Scotland) on complex and/or high value legal matters, including major infrastructure projects, procurement, commercial agreements, material litigation. Responsible for delivery of legal advice on a wide range of issues to reduce risk and achieve objectives.
• Advise the business on resolution of day-to-day disputes whether regulatory, criminal or commercial and assist in more material disputes.
• Assist the Head of Legal (Scotland) on developing appropriate company policies, processes and training for Regions legal team.
• Participate in ad hoc multi-function project teams advising on legal aspects to achieve commercial objectives.
• Instruct and supervise external lawyers to support their areas of responsibility when required.
• Provide regular information and reports of work in progress to the Head of Legal (Scotland).

Skills

Qualified solicitor

Post-qualification experience

Legal risk management

Communication skills

Commercial mindset

Problem solving

Working under pressure

Job description

At Network Rail, we're the publicly owned operator of Britain's rail infrastructure.

We're trusted custodians of one of our nation's most critical public assets: Scotland's Railway.

We keep Scotland moving - connecting people and places, supporting businesses, public services and communities - driving economic, social and environmental success.

Our work spans almost 20% of the UK network and between 2024 and 2029, we're investing £4.8 billion to enhance our stations and routes, supporting new passenger and freight rolling stock.

Working together with train operators, our investment will mean a more reliable, climate resilient railway; a better customer experience; and greener, more sustainable travel that links cities, towns, urban and rural communities with each other and with the wider UK.

But it's our people who make this progress possible. At Network Rail Scotland, you'll find an inclusive, supportive and flexible working culture where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real. Join us.

About the role

We are looking for a dynamic Legal Counsel qualified in Scots Law to provide high-quality legal advice to Scotland's Railway having regard to the need for appropriate management of corporate legal risk and delivery of legal services to the Company.¿This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced legal professional seeking a rewarding in-house role with a Monday to Friday working pattern and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. The successful candidate will be a key part of our growing Scottish Legal team and will work collaboratively with other regional colleagues and members of the wider legal team.

As a key member of our in-house legal team, you will provide high-quality legal advice, often on complex and/or high value legal matters from working on major infrastructure projects such as the reopening of the Levenmouth line, high-profile health and safety events such as the recent fire at Glasgow Central and complex, high value actions in the Court of Session, Sheriff Courts and Lands Tribunal.¿

Reporting to the Head of Legal (Scotland), you will demonstrate innovation and agility by providing business-focussed and pragmatic legal advice on a wide range of issues including property, health and safety, employment, contracts and litigation. You will support our ambitions to continually improve what we do to support our customers and deliver value for the taxpayer.

Salary: This position has a salary of up to £67,813 per annum. Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer,

Closing date: Midnight of 22nd October 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please note the recruitment process for this role is a competency-based interview. If any additional stages or testing/assessments are to take place, you will be notified of these.

We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone! Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Your experience and skills

Here are some of the duties your role will include:

• Assisting and working alongside the Head of Legal (Scotland) on complex and/or high value legal matters, including major infrastructure projects, procurement, commercial agreements, material litigation etc.¿ Responsible for delivery of legal advice on a wide range of issues that is business-focused, accurate and appropriate so allowing the company to reduce its risk of exposure and achieve its commercial and business objectives.
• Advising the business on resolution of day-to-day disputes whether regulatory, criminal or commercial in nature and assisting the Head of Legal (Scotland) in resolution of more material disputes.
• Assisting the Head of Legal (Scotland) on the development of appropriate company policies, processes and/or training for the areas covered by the Regions legal team.
• Participation in various ad hoc multi-function project teams advising on legal aspects and problem solving in order to achieve commercial objectives.
• Instruct and supervise external lawyers to support their areas of responsibility when required.
• Providing regular information and reports of work in progress to the Head of Legal (Scotland) as required.

What you will bring to the role:

• Qualified solicitor with post qualification experience, preferably with some experience in - house.
• Experience in a relevant legal discipline and an ability to get up to speed quickly with unfamiliar areas.
• Ability to identify and minimise corporate legal risk
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing.
• Proactive and commercially minded
• Creative problem solver with can do attitude
• Works well under pressure, with the ability to prioritise and handle competing demands.