The Scottish Government Legal Directorate (SGLD) is headed by Murray Sinclair and provides legal services to the Government and its agencies. This covers a very wide spectrum including litigation and tribunal work, property and commercial law and procurement advice, instructing Bills and drafting subordinate legislation, including implementation of EC Directives.
SGLD reports to the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General for Scotland who are the principal ministerial advisers to the Government on legal matters. It currently has 122 lawyers, plus a range of support staff.
SGLD has been at the core of the devolution project since its inception and plays a key role in delivering the Government's statutory functions, in exercising its legal powers and its relationship with the Scottish Parliament. It supports Ministers, and in particular the Scottish Law Officers and Ministers for Parliamentary Business, across the range of their legal and Parliamentary responsibilities. Most of its staff are legally qualified, and are either advocates or solicitors, but the Department also includes administrative staff who liaise closely with the rest of the Directorate on the delivery of business objectives.
SGLD is responsible for seconding staff to the Legal Secretariat to the Lord Advocate (LSLA) whose function of the Legal Secretariat is to support the Scottish Law Officers, for instance by researching and helping to draft opinions, and by assisting with Parliamentary Questions, speeches and correspondence. The work very often involves complex issues of human rights and constitutional law. LSLA has produced a paper on the Role and Functions of the Lord Advocate
Our Goal
To provide a cost-effective legal service which continues to improve and places law at the heart of Government, all with a view to achieving the Government's Purpose and National Outcomes.
Objectives
- To support the Government's objectives by effectively contributing to the legislative programme of primary and subordinate legislation.
- To provide advice, guidance and support to all our policy colleagues with a view to assisting in the development of policies to meet the National Outcomes.
- To contribute to effective Government and the National Outcomes by ensuring close and productive working relationships with other public and business legal service providers.
- To maintain and develop existing partnerships with private sector legal practices and Standing Junior Counsel and ensure provision of these services on a fully cost-effective basis.
- To maintain and develop the skills, commitment and professionalism of our staff and provide varied and satisfying careers.
- To achieve an effective balance of financial demand and resource.
Contact details for SGLD Senior Management
Contact (post):
SGLD Secretariat
G B(N)
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Tel no. 0131 244 0815
Email - SGLD Enquiries