Legal Traineeship

Job Description

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. (subject to COPFS pay award)
 

Our benefits

We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:

• Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 26% of your pay
• 25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 4 years)
• Progressive career development delivered through high quality education and learning
• Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work
• Access to employee services such as Cycle to Work Scheme, Gym Memberships, Eye Care and Season Ticket Loans
• Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme

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 5th October 2025.
 

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.