GovWire

Appointment to the Advocate General for Scotlands Panel of Special Advocates

The Advocate General for Scotland invites applications from interested Counsel and Solicitor Advocates for appointment to a new panel of Special Advocates for Scotland.

Apply to the Advocate General for Scotlands Panel of Special Advocates (2024)

The competition to recruit a Panel of Special Advocates in Scotland is now open. The Advocate General for Scotland is seeking to appoint members to a new Panel of Special Advocates to undertake Special Advocate work.

Appointment is open to KCs, Advocates and Solicitor Advocates.

Advocate General for Scotlands Panel of Special Advocates

The role of the Special Advocate has developed in proceedings before a wide variety of forums where a party, with the permission of the forum, seeks to rely upon closed evidence. Closed evidence may raise issues concerning national security. The effect of closed material being used is broadly that individuals and their legal representatives are excluded from those parts of proceedings in which it is used. Special Advocates perform an important role by representing the interests of the excluded party and subjecting the closed material to independent scrutiny, thereby promoting as fair a hearing as is possible in the circumstances.

This work presents a great opportunity to be involved with high-profile and complex government litigation, ensuring that individuals access to justice is protected.

It is anticipated that the Special Advocates who are appointed will principally be involved in cases before the Court of Session and potentially the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC). The work in the Court of Session may include applications for the review of Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMs), Temporary Exclusion Orders (TEOs) and other disruption measures. More information about the role of Special Advocates is available in the SASO Manual.

Application

The appointment is open to KCs, Junior Advocates and Solicitor Advocates with at least 3 years advocacy experience at the bar/in practice with experience of both advocacy and advisory work in one or more of the following areas:

1. representing either pursuers or defenders in proceedings against the government or other public bodies;
2. judicial review work; or
3. criminal work.

The skills and abilities required are not confined to the public law field but include those of criminal lawyers and those with experience of handling witnesses in civil cases.

Successful applicants will need to obtain Developed Vetting security clearance. Appointments will be for 10 years.

To encourage applicants to apply we are hosting an information event in early October (date tbc). Please contact us at businesssupport@advocategeneral.gov.uk if you would like to attend and further information about joining will be circulated in due course.

For more details about the application process, please see the Information for Applicants and FAQ documents.

The application form is available to download above. Applications (including receipt of references) must be submitted by midday on Friday 18 October 2024.

Please email completed applications in Word (or similar) format to businesssupport@advocategeneral.gov.uk