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Jobs at Aberdeenshire Council

A Career as a Solicitor

Aberdeenshire has been voted top place to live and work five times in the past seven years. Our solicitors therefore benefit as they particularly enjoy the variety and quality of work that come with working for an innovative and progressive local authority – we are involved in amazing commercial projects, get to explore new ways of working and get great work satisfaction from knowing the work we do benefits our communities. No two days are the same and every day’s a school day! A particular highlight is seeing positive results when sitting on the Permanence (Adoption) Panel especially when applicants (who are present) are approved as adopters and or/matched with a child.

Our three teams of solicitors are involved in every aspect of the Council’s work and cover a wide variety of areas of law from Adoption to Zoos (licences). We provide legal advice and support to all services within the Council and also to elected members (“Councillors”) and represent the Council in Courts, tribunals and outside bodies.

Our dedicated and conscientious high calibre solicitors have a wide range of knowledge and experience with recognised areas of specialism gained in various backgrounds in Local Authority, other public and private sector organisations and private practice.

The Advice team provides legal advice on areas of the law from Education and Social Work to Employment, Roads and Debt Recovery; while the Representation team represents the Council’s interests in Courts, inquiries and tribunals.

Commercial comprises three sub-teams: Commercial, Conveyancing and Developer Obligations. The team provides legal advice and expertise in commercial legal agreements and Procurement; the acquisition, disposal and lease of land; and the negotiation and collection of funds from the development industry to mitigate the impact of their developments on local infrastructure.

Governance supports the role of the Head of Service as the Council’s Monitoring Officer ensuring that decisions of the Council, its Committees and Officers comply with the law and that elected members are supported and guided in their role. Governance includes civic and liquor licensing, planning law and the effective administration of Council meetings through Committee Services.

Our A-Z covers : Adoption, Alternative business models, Animal Welfare, Anti-social behaviour, Charities, Child and adult protection, Commercial , Committee work, Community care, Construction law, Contaminated Land , Contract, Conveyancing, Data protection law, Debt, Education, Employment law and TUPE, Equality, Governance, Gypsy Travellers, Health and safety law, Health and social care integration, Housing, Intellectual property, Licensing, Mental health, Noise Nuisance, Performance bonds, parent company guarantees and collateral warranties, Planning , Procurement, Property, State aid, Trusts, Zoo licences.

Aberdeenshire Council operates a flexible working policy and “Worksmart” allowing working from home and remote locations within the area in addition to the main offices.

What Qualifications and experience do you need?

The Law Society of Scotland website is the best place to check up to date requirements if you wish to qualify as a solicitor in Scotland. However, the majority of people wishing to become a Scottish Solicitor will complete three distinct stages:

•LLB Degree in Scots law
•A postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• a “traineeship” – a period of paid, in-office training which usually takes two years.

There is also an alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor which does not require an LLB. It is typically taken by someone already working in an office with a Scottish solicitor. Anyone considering this route should check the Law Society of Scotland website for up to date information and requirements.

Future Career opportunities with Aberdeenshire Council

Trainee Solicitors
Aberdeenshire Council currently employs four trainees and usually offers a traineeship every two years. Our trainees, once qualified, are well placed to apply for posts within the Council where we have a good “retention rate”. However, our trainees are not restricted to working for a local authority and we have seen some go on to other organisations such as the Scottish Government and top private practice firms and PLCs.

Solicitors
We have a good retention rate of solicitors, but people do sometimes move on. The Council’s varied workload often involves new projects providing exciting opportunities for our current solicitors and which often require us to recruit externally. Posts are advertised on MyjobScotland

For further information contact:

Head of Legal and Governance
Aberdeenshire Council
Woodhill House
Westburn Road
Aberdeen
AB16 5GB

Governance – geraldine.fraser@aberdeenshire.gov.uk – 01467 538044
Commercial & Conveyancing – patricia.jericevich@aberdeenshire.gov.uk – 01467 536179
Advice & Representation – alistair.stobie@aberdeenshire.gov.uk – 01467 535645