Job description

We are sourcing Contract Lawyers to support our new Public Inquires team in Edinburgh. The role is 6 months plus on a day rate basis. There is opportunity for extension and more permanent roles leading on from this. Working via an Umbrella company.

As key support to our growing team, you will have a fee-earning role (all work undertaken under supervision of partners and other senior team members) which is likely to include the following tasks:

•  Acting as a supporting Solicitor to statutory and non-statutory inquiries
• Undertaking internal investigations and independent reviews
• Providing legal advice to the Inquiry Team and contribute to senior relationship management with recognised legal representatives, core participants, witnesses and document providers
• Handling or leading complex, multi-disciplinary, professional, multi-strand legal or investigative environments
• Handling or leading complex, large-scale projects, including involvement in delivery of large-scale disclosure/e-disclosure/document production/information management exercises
• Dealing with Public law challenges, advising on merits of defending judicial review claims and grounds for issuing JR challenges.
• Advising on litigation related to national security matters
• Planning, defining and implementing strategies to support delivery against client need
•  Leading and project managing document-heavy review processes to identify key relevant materials
•  Establishing defined programmes of work and monitoring delivery
• Giving clear and detailed instructions to witnesses to ensure delivery of high-quality evidence
• Supporting witnesses in advance of giving oral evidence
•  Supervising the work delegated to other team members, adopting a supportive and collegiate approach to the development of others
•  Working flexibly across workstreams and able to delegate tasks to other team members appropriate to their job role level and skill, driving efficiency and maximising available resource

Your Skills and Experience

• You must be a Scottish or Dual Qualified Solicitor 
• Previous experience of public inquiry work representing a core participant and/or acting for the inquiry itself would be preferred but not essential
• Strong litigation skills and project management skills with experience of managing large scale disclosure exercises and/or working on large scale projects in commercial litigation is essential
• A creative approach to problem solving with an ability to manage critical issues quickly and effectively
• A proven and demonstrable ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with external and internal stakeholders
• Excellent ability to manage and review information and documentation to a high standard with strong attention to detail

The Team

The Public Inquires team at TLT has a wide breadth of experience on all aspects of inquiry work. We represent central government, non-departmental public bodies, local government, high-profile individuals, blue light services and the private sector.

The team provide a full legal service. This includes advising individual key witnesses representing public bodies, private individuals and acting on behalf of inquiries themselves.

This breadth of experience and knowledge allows the team to deal with all aspects of public inquiries and provides a unique perspective. On top of our legal advice, we are able to provide support to an inquiry secretariat. We can provide project management, budget advice and administrative support.

About TLT

Fast paced, fast growing and forward thinking, TLT is the law firm that helps clients stay one step ahead, and we do the same for our people.

We work with high profile clients in innovative sectors. With local, national and international reach, we have over 1,200 people in offices across the UK and a network of partner firms across Europe, India and the US. In 2021 we were named The Lawyer’s Law Firm of the Year, recognising our incredible success story.

Our purpose is to protect, prepare and progress our clients for what comes next and it’s essential that we do the same for our people, our planet and our communities too. In our open and collaborative culture, we encourage everyone to be their whole self, to have a voice and to contribute.

TLT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and encourages applications from all suitably qualified people, regardless of any of the characteristics protected by the laws in the locations in which we op