Policy Officer

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.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is seeking a Policy Officer to support the implementation of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025. Working within the Judicial Office for Scotland, you will help support the Lord President and Regulatory Judge in delivering the Lord President’s statutory responsibilities as part of a significant programme of legal services reform.

This is a varied and influential role where you will contribute to policy development, stakeholder engagement, governance and the delivery of new regulatory arrangements. You will work closely with a wide range of partners across the legal, public and regulatory sectors, helping to shape policy and support effective decision-making.

We're looking for someone with experience of policy development or major reform programmes, excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, and the ability to analyse complex issues and translate them into clear, practical recommendations.

You will:

• Act as policy officer for the implementation of the 2025 Act responsible for ensuring the Lord President’s regulatory functions are delivered, by:
• providing advice and making recommendations to the Lord President and Regulatory Judge;
• devising, testing and implementing new systems needed to underpin the exercise of regulatory functions by the Lord President;
• developing strong relationships with stakeholders 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;
• supporting the development of a communications, stakeholder management and education strategy for the implementation of the 2025 Act’s functions, including supporting the organisation of a conference of regulatory bodies;
• supporting 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 allocated aspects of the work programme.
• Together with wider Judicial Office and SCTS colleagues, support 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.
• Help manage public correspondence (including FOISA) and respond to same;

undertake 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.

• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 2 years’ service) plus 12 public and privilege holidays
• Speci…