Head of Regulation of Legal Services

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Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service

Edinburgh

Starting Salary from: £61,220 + benefits

SCTS a great place to work, learn and develop

Joining SCTS means that you are joining an organisation that plays a key role in the administration of justice. We fulfil our purpose by providing the people, buildings and services needed to support the judiciary, the courts, devolved tribunals and the office of the public guardian (OPG). Our work focuses on improving access to justice, reducing delay and cost within the justice system, modernising our services in line with reform, and using leading technology to improve our services for everyone.

Outline of the role:

Join the Judicial Office for Scotland and help deliver one of the most significant reforms to the regulation of legal services in Scotland. Working with senior judicial leaders and legal sector stakeholders, you will lead policy development, implementation planning and strategic engagement to support the successful delivery of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a skilled policy professional who can operate confidently at a senior level, influence stakeholders and drive complex programmes of work to successful outcomes.

You will:

· Act as policy lead and project manager for the implementation of the 2025 Act, responsible for ensuring the Lord President’s regulatory functions are delivered, by:
- providing strategic advice and making recommendations to the Lord President;
- devising, testing and implementing new systems needed to underpin the exercise of regulatory functions by the Lord President and the Regulatory Judge;
- developing strong relationships and negotiating with senior level leaders in the Law Society of Scotland, Faculty of Advocates, Association of Construction Attorneys, Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, Competition and Markets Authority, Scottish Government and Parliament, based on mutual trust and candour, to represent the Lord President’s position in meetings and events;
- carrying out research and engagement with the regulators, practitioners, consumers and other stakeholders, seeking out synergies while avoiding conflicts;
- developing a communications, stakeholder management and education strategy for the implementation of the 2025 Act’s functions, including organising a conference of regulatory bodies;
- designing and managing the public consultation processes involved in developing the Lord President’s policies; and
- providing secretariat support to the internal Governance Board chaired by the Regulatory Judge which meets monthly.
Be responsible for day-to-day monitoring and management of the work programme, including oversight of budget management and monitoring in liaison with SCTS Finance and Judicial Office.
Together with wider Judicial Office and SCTS colleagues, ensure revision of the judiciary website to reflect the Lord President role as ultimate regulator of the legal professions and keep same updated as an active “shop window” for the regulatory work.
Have management responsibilities for an HEO policy officer (who will have particular responsibilities for specific aspects of policy development in regulatory matters), providing them with support and direction as required, carrying out performance reviews and identifying opportunities for their professional development.
Have oversight of public correspondence (including FOISA) and respond to same; policy development, such as in response to proposals for legislation.

To help direct us towards achieving our purpose successfully, we embrace three key values of respect, service and excellence. These guide our behaviour, decisions and actions - in pursuit of fulfilling our purpose to the highest standard.

Our benefits include:

Flexible working arrangements
25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 2 years’ service) plus 12 public and privilege holidays
Special leave and paid leave for study or voluntary public service
Excellent Civil Service Pension Scheme
Family friendly policies
Free and confidential Employee Assistance
A variety of staff discounts and offers with major retailers
Payment of professional membership fees
Access to opportunities across all Civil Service departments that are not available to non-Civil Servants
A supportive and professional induction programme with regular check-ins with your line manager
Job stability and security with excellent and varied career prospects
Security of full pay when unwell (up to a maximum of 6 months)
Learning and development (including digital) opportunities

About SCTS

SCTS is committed to equality and diversity in employment and service delivery. The work of SCTS covers a broader range of issues than you may think. In providing support to Scotland’s courts, devolved tribunals and the OPG, we touch the lives of many people on a daily basis – be that through formal court or tribunal business, fulfilling your civic duty as a juror, paying fees or fines, seeking help in managing the affairs of an incapable adult or dealing with the estate of a loved one who has passed away. SCTS deals with over a quarter of a million cases and applications each year. Behind each one of these is an individual – looking to the system to help them assert their rights, address wrongs or provide support in a time of need. It is this work – which takes place every day in our courts, tribunals and administrative centres across Scotland – that consumes most of the time, energy and skill of our staff. We take pride in working as one team and providing high levels of service to all those who use the courts, tribunals and OPG.

The selection process will include a presentation or exercise for candidates invited to interview.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service nationality requirements. SCTS is currently unable to offer sponsorship.

A Level 2 Disclosure check and other pre-employment security checks will be required.

To apply please visit our website.

The closing date for the post is: 4 November 2026 at 23:59.

Interviews will be held week commencing 30 November 2026.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is exempt from the protections of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This permits us to ask applicants details of both spent and unspent convictions, along with details of any formal cautions that you may have. Individuals without existing security clearance will always be considered as all successful applicants will require a standard level Disclosure check completed before employment can commence.

Civil Service Code:

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Recruitment Principles: We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

Complaints:

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk

For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

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