Hamilton
Job Summary
he Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) is currently seeking to recruit a Head of Legal Services to join her team who are based in Hamilton.
The PIRC was established in 2013 and is responsible for carrying out independent investigations into incidents involving the police and independently reviewing the way the police handle complaints from the public.
Our aim is to secure public confidence in policing in Scotland by supporting continuous improvement and promoting positive change.
As Head of Legal Services, you will provide advice and guidance to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and PIRC's Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure the effective delivery of all professional legal matters. As a member of the SLT reporting directly to the Commissioner, you will provide strong leadership and effective direction of the functions exercised by PIRC. You will line manage PIRC's Principal Solicitor.
Job Description
LEGAL SERVICES
Ensure effective delivery of legal services by providing legal advice and guidance to the Commissioner, SLT and PIRC staff, and execution of legal work, particularly litigation and advice
Support, and provide legal and strategic advice to, the Commissioner and SLT regarding the statutory functions of PIRC
Represent (including by way of appearance or instruction of suitable Counsel or Solicitor Advocate) the Commissioner's interests in:
any civil litigation in the Scottish Courts and Tribunals, including Summary and Statutory Applications to the Court seeking commission and diligence
criminal proceedings including Petitions seeking commission and diligence for recovery of documents
other forums, such as Public Inquiries
Monitor and manage contractual relationships with external legal advisors, including quality assuring their services on an annual basis and managing the legal budget to ensure value for money.
Provide relevant legal advice on matters arising from investigations relating to misconduct and, if relevant legislation is commenced, present cases at gross misconduct hearings for senior officers
Advise on and support the development of PIRC's role in relation to whistleblowing
Advise on the interpretation and implementation of new legislation and policy initiatives, liaising with Bill Teams and providing evidence to Parliament as necessary
Advise on and support effective information governance, including in relation to data protection and freedom of information matters
Actively promote understanding and appreciation of the work of the Legal Services team
Line management of PIRC's legal services team members.
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
As a Member Of The SLT:
Support effective corporate governance, including the management of risk
Actively contribute to the development and delivery of PIRC's Strategic Plan and Annual Business Plans, and support continuous improvement in the service provided by PIRC to the public and referring agencies
Act on behalf of the Commissioner as required
Act in accordance with and role model PIRC's values
Promote inclusive practice across all aspects of PIRC's work, ensuring that policies, procedures and decision-making processes actively support equality, diversity and inclusion. This includes fostering a workplace culture that values and respects individual differences, removes barriers to participation and ensures PIRC fulfils its statutory duties, including those under the Equality Act 2010, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024
Attend CPD and other PIRC events as required.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Prepare, review and implement protocols and memoranda of understanding with policing bodies and other stakeholders
Establish and develop strong working relationships with external stakeholders and key partners including Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and other policing bodies operating in Scotland; Scottish Government; Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Scotland; Scottish Biometrics Commissioner; and other relevant bodies, through collaborative working to support and promote continuous improvement of policing in Scotland.
The above accountabilities and responsibilities are not exhaustive, and the Jobholder may be required to undertake additional duties that are consistent with the level and grading of the role.
LEGAL SERVICES
Ensure effective delivery of legal services by providing legal advice and guidance to the Commissioner, SLT and PIRC staff, and execution of legal work, particularly litigation and advice
Support, and provide legal and strategic advice to, the Commissioner and SLT regarding the statutory functions of PIRC
Represent (including by way of appearance or instruction of suitable Counsel or Solicitor Advocate) the Commissioner's interests in:
any civil litigation in the Scottish Courts and Tribunals, including Summary and Statutory Applications to the Court seeking commission and diligence
criminal proceedings including Petitions seeking commission and diligence for recovery of documents
other forums, such as Public Inquiries
Monitor and manage contractual relationships with external legal advisors, including quality assuring their services on an annual basis and managing the legal budget to ensure value for money.
Provide relevant legal advice on matters arising from investigations relating to misconduct and, if relevant legislation is commenced, present cases at gross misconduct hearings for senior officers
Advise on and support the development of PIRC's role in relation to whistleblowing
Advise on the interpretation and implementation of new legislation and policy initiatives, liaising with Bill Teams and providing evidence to Parliament as necessary
Advise on and support effective information governance, including in relation to data protection and freedom of information matters
Actively promote understanding and appreciation of the work of the Legal Services team
Line management of PIRC's legal services team members.
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
As a Member Of The SLT:
Support effective corporate governance, including the management of risk
Actively contribute to the development and delivery of PIRC's Strategic Plan and Annual Business Plans, and support continuous improvement in the service provided by PIRC to the public and referring agencies
Act on behalf of the Commissioner as required
Act in accordance with and role model PIRC's values
Promote inclusive practice across all aspects of PIRC's work, ensuring that policies, procedures and decision-making processes actively support equality, diversity and inclusion. This includes fostering a workplace culture that values and respects individual differences, removes barriers to participation and ensures PIRC fulfils its statutory duties, including those under the Equality Act 2010, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024
Attend CPD and other PIRC events as required.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Prepare, review and implement protocols and memoranda of understanding with policing bodies and other stakeholders
Establish and develop strong working relationships with external stakeholders and key partners including Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and other policing bodies operating in Scotland; Scottish Government; Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Scotland; Scottish Biometrics Commissioner; and other relevant bodies, through collaborative working to support and promote continuous improvement of policing in Scotland.
The above accountabilities and responsibilities are not exhaustive, and the Jobholder may be required to undertake additional duties that are consistent with the level and grading of the role.
Person specification
Qualifications
You will be a qualified solicitor holding a current unrestricted Practicing Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland and have at least 5 years relevant post qualification experience as a legal practitioner.
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Experience
Experience in providing legal advice including the production of sound legal analysis based on effective legal research
Experience of managing litigation efficiently and effectively including the provision of clear, high quality and timely instructions to counsel and preparation of high-quality submissions to court on time
Exercise of reliable legal judgment, with a good appreciation of legal risks
Effective court skills with proven achievements and substantial experience of litigation and advice work.
Experience of working with a broad range of stakeholders across all levels
Senior level specialist knowledge/skills in one of the core areas (investigations, complaint reviews) or any relevant aspect of law enforcement or criminal justice.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing – Level 4
Working together – Level 4
Making effective decisions – Level 4
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here
Security Checks
The successful candidate must undergo Non Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 3 and Baseline Personal Security Scotland (BPSS) prior to appointment. Please see here to ensure you are aware of the requirements prior to submitting an application. Applicants should be aware that they are required to have lived in the United Kingdom for at least 3 years to meet the first element of the vetting requirements.
Equality Statement
The PIRC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting a diverse workforce, with an emphasis on the PIRC values of integrity, impartiality and respect. We therefore encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. We are committed to the Disability Confident Initiative and offer a guaranteed interview to any applicant who meets all of the selection criteria required for the post and considers themselves to be disabled.
For information on this vacancy please contact the Human Resources Department at or call on
Licences
Unrestricted Practicing Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland
Memberships
the Law Society of Scotland
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions
Alongside your salary of £77,460, Police Investigations and Review Commissioner contributes £22,440 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Hybrid working
Flexible working
25 days of annual leave
5 privilege days
6 public holidays
Pension with generous employer contribution
Competitive pay for sickness, maternity & paternity leave
Access to Edenred My Lifestyle discount site
Access to Employee Assistance Service
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
How To Apply
Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
Successful applicants will be invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and a presentation.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on Experience 1.
We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications, it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 24th February 2026.
Please continue to check your account on our recruitment portal as all applicants will have the status of your application updated on their account.
Please note we are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Medical
Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
Name : HR Team
Email :
Telephone :
Recruitment team
Email :
Further information