Civil Legal Assistance Office Inverness
Job title: Solicitor | Grade: 6 | Employment type: Fixed term (6 months) | Hours: Full time (35 hours per week) | Starting salary: £51,010 | Directorate: Client Legal Services (CLS) | Department: Civil Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) | Location: Inverness | Closing date: 21 June 2026 (23:55)
We’re looking for a committed and capable Solicitor to join our highly skilled, collaborative and supportive team, where you will make a real difference to people’s lives across the Highlands and Islands.
You will manage a varied and meaningful legal aid case load, delivering high-quality, trauma-informed advice and representation in such areas as child law, public family law, Adults with Incapacity and housing. This is a role where your work truly matters – helping vulnerable individuals access justice while being fully supported by experienced colleagues. You’ll be part of a close knit and experienced team who actively support one another with casework, share knowledge, and provide informal and formal supervision. We recognise the challenges of this work and prioritise wellbeing, team collaboration, and peer support.
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone with a track record of excelling at civil litigation work, particularly those who have experience with either representing parents and children in the children’s hearing process, adults seeking support for guardianship and detention under the Adults with Incapacity Act, or housing and homelessness law. It is also a great opportunity for a newly or recently qualified solicitor looking to develop such skills in a highly rewarding work environment.
The role is linked to our Inverness office and offers the opportunity to work across the Highlands and Islands, attending courts and hearings in a unique and rewarding legal landscape. While regular attendance in Inverness is expected, we are open to considering candidates based further afield, where feasible.
Key Responsibilities Include
* managing your own complex and varied civil legal aid caseload
* advising and representing clients in a timely, independent, and trauma-informed manner
* working collaboratively with colleagues across CLAO’s network, sharing expertise and supporting high-quality practice delivering and contributing to training and resources for staff, partner agencies, and external organisations
* participating in duty solicitor scheme, CLAO helpline, and second-tier advice rotas
* developing expertise through involvement in training, mentoring and knowledge sharing initiatives
* building strong relationships with local solicitors, courts, and support organisations
* assisting with policy development and CLAO’s strategic project work
* supporting Heads of Office with peer supervision, work allocation, and team support.
To Succeed In This Role, You Will Need
* strong civil court experience and advocacy skills
* in-depth knowledge of the civil justice system and legal aid legislation
* experience in at least one key area: child law, housing, homelessness, mental health, AWI, debt or benefits appeals
* confidence in working with vulnerable groups and managing complex, often urgent cases
* excellent communication, legal research and IT skills
* a proactive, self-motivated attitude with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
What We Offer
* A meaningful role where your work makes a real impact
* A supportive, inclusive and values-driven working environment
* Opportunities for learning and professional development
* Flexible working to support a healthy work-life balance
* A competitive salary and benefits package, including pension contributions
* Generous annual leave entitlement (34 days, rising to 42 days after two years’ service)
* Enhanced family-friendly leave entitlements
* Access to wellbeing support, mental health support and an employee assistance programme
* Access to a wide range of discounts (including gym and retail) and the Cycle to Work scheme through our partner, Edenred.
For more details and a full list of essential criteria and required competencies, please see the Job Description.
Completed applications should be returned by Sunday 21 June 2026.
Apply here
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