Job title: Assessment Officer | Grade: 3 | Employment type: Permanent | Hours: Full time (35 hours per week) | Starting salary: £30, | Directorate: Operations | Department: Civil Finance – Principal Sums | Location: Edinburgh | Closing date: 25 January (23:55)
As an Assessment Officer in the Principal Sums team, you’ll play a key part in managing money recovered through civil legal aid cases. Your work helps protect the Legal Aid Fund while ensuring any remaining balances are correctly released to individuals.
This is a varied role that combines decision-making, judgement, financial assessment, and clear communication with solicitors and assisted persons. You’ll be supported by legislation, guidance, and an experienced team, while also using your own judgement.
Key responsibilities include:
1. assessing if money should be recovered for the Legal Aid Fund following case settlements
2. calculating losses, repayments, and balances due, including interest where applicable
3. carrying out financial assessments and agreeing suitable repayment arrangements
4. reviewing information sent with solicitor accounts, ensuring payments and expenses are processed accurately and on time
5. handling correspondence and enquiries from solicitors and assisted persons
6. referring cases for further recovery action where appropriate.
To succeed in this role, you will need:
7. confidence using IT systems including Microsoft applications
8. the ability to understand and apply legislation or guidance, using your judgement to make decisions
9. good attention to detail and accurate keyboard skills
10. clear and professional written and verbal communication skills
11. Previous administrative or customer service experience (legal or office-based desirable)
12. An interest in financial or legal processes and working with complex information.
For more details about this role and a full list of essential criteria and required competencies, please see the Job Description.
Completed applications should be returned by Sunday, 26 January (23:55).