Principal Legal Adviser
Location – Edinburgh (Hybrid)
Salary – £96,350 – £108,270
The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) was set up in 1987 to manage legal aid in Scotland. We are a non-departmental public body responsible to the Scottish Government. Our main purpose is to fund, deliver and advise on services that enable people to exercise their rights and live in a fair society that respects the rule of law.
We are seeking to appoint a Principal Legal Adviser who, as SLAB’s senior solicitor, will provide legal support and guidance to the Chief Executive, Executive Team, Board and Committees, via legal advice and support on both specific technical aspects of legal aid legislation and wider matters of Scots Law.
This is a pivotal moment for our organisation and this role is critical to the re-shaping of the current legal aid system, designed in the 1950’s, to reflect what is needed in current times.
As part of the Executive Team, you will provide robust and reliable legal advice, support and services across the organisation, working to drive SLAB forward to effectively discharge its functions, meet its obligations and deliver its corporate objectives. This is an important role that will influence and engage across the sector, which will include leading legal engagement with the sponsor division of the Scottish Government in relation to legislative and regulatory development and reform, and the preparation of new legislative instruments.
The Principal Legal Adviser will be an enrolled solicitor with a non-restricted practising certificate and substantial knowledge of the Scottish justice system, and will bring an appetite for tackling complex issues and expertise in providing sound technical and strategic advice and guidance to senior stakeholders.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board is a high-impact organisation, committed to making a real difference to the lives of individuals across Scotland. If you are an experienced legal professional with a passion for leadership and access to justice, we would like to hear from you.
Applications in the form of a tailored CV and a covering letter (no longer than two pages), highlighting your skills and experience pertinent to the role, should arrive no later than Wednesday 14 January, 2026. For a confidential, informal discussion about the role, or to request a Candidate Information Pack, please contact LHH directly on +44 (0)141 220 6460 or email ScotlandExecutive@LHH.com