Uniqueness of GLSS Work
Lawyers working with the GLSS and its related offices are engaged on a wide variety of interesting and intellectually challenging work, much of it unique to government. A central theme to much of what goes on in the GLSS is the development and implementation of new law.
Preparation of legislation for both the Scottish Parliament and Westminster forms a large part of the workload. But it also includes handling high profile, sensitive litigation and dealing with novel devolution or other constitutional problems.
The fact that government is the client means that the work of the GLSS is often newsworthy, and it is always necessary to consider political consequences and potential sensitivities or wider implications. Given the nature of the work, the GLSS lawyer has a very influential role and a real opportunity to make a difference.
GLSS lawyers are involved in almost all aspects of government - whether it be resolving legal problems in policy development, operational delivery of services to the public or the smooth running of corporate services. European Union, human rights and devolution law and practice form a constant background to government legal work.
GLSS lawyers may also be seconded to work in policy posts, particularly in areas which relate to legal policy such as the Governments's Justice and Communities Directorates or Constitutional Policy Unit. GLSS lawyers also provide support for public inquiries.
Lawyers working at the Scottish Law Commission contribute directly to the Commission's aims of improving, simplifying and updating the law of Scotland and lawyers at the Scottish Parliament are central to the Parliament's work as a legislature.
One aspect of working practice which differs markedly from many private sector firms is that lawyers in the GLSS tend to move between different areas of work over the course of their careers.
They are viewed as specialist government lawyers, rather than specialising in a particular subject area for lengthy periods of time.
This approach means that lawyers develop transferable skills and are able to deal with novel subjects which frequently arise.