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 Scotland’s 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 Scotland’s 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.

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:

• a. representing either pursuers or defenders in proceedings against the government or other public bodies;
• b. judicial review work; or
• c. criminal work.

To encourage applicants to apply we are hosting an information event late afternoon on Wednesday 2 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.

The application pack, which includes further information for applicants, is available on the OAG website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/appointment-to-the-advocate-generals-panel-of-special-advocates

The application deadline is midday on Friday 18 October 2024.