The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) was set up in 1987 to manage legal aid in Scotland and is a non-departmental public body responsible to the Scottish Government. Legal aid supports people who would otherwise not be able to afford it, to get help for their legal problems.
The role of the Board is to provide leadership, direction, support and guidance to ensure SLAB delivers and is committed to delivering its functions effectively, efficiently and in line with the general aims, policies and priorities of the Scottish Ministers. The Board is also expected to provide creative contribution and constructive challenge on all matters whether financial, risk or strategic in nature.
Role
To ensure the Board has the benefit of appropriate specialist knowledge, professional perspectives and technical insights to contribute to its role of overseeing SLAB’s performance and strategic development, the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act requires that membership includes:
- two members of the Faculty of Advocates,
- at least two members of the Law Society of Scotland
- at least one person having experience of the procedure and practice of the courts. This experience need not be current and can have been attained in a variety of ways such as a Sheriff, in-court adviser, a McKenzie friend or someone who has worked or researched within a court setting.
- Non legal members from a range of communities with backgrounds in business, the third sector and public service to give the Board a wide and balanced variety of knowledge, skills and experience.
In this round we are looking for a legal member from the Faculty of Advocates, a legal member from the Law Society of Scotland, one member with court experience and two non-legal members.
Remuneration and time commitment
£249.00 per day. Reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed. The role is non-pensionable.
3.5 days per month (to a maximum of 42 days per year which includes reading time).
Term of appointment
The appointment will be for a period between 3 and 5 years.
Further information about the Board, its structure, mission, vision and strategic objectives can be viewed here: https://www.slab.org.uk/corporate-information/what-we-do/
Responsibilities
Public Appointees are responsible for:
- ensuring that the public body delivers its functions in accordance with Scottish Ministers’ policies and priorities
- providing strategic leadership
- ensuring financial stewardship
- holding the Chief Executive and senior management team to account
Further information about the role and the board can be found in the
candidate information pack.
ROLE CRITERIA
We particularly welcome applications from women, disabled people, LGBT+ people, people from ethnic minority communities and people aged under 50.
Applicants will wish to be aware that
for these roles to the Scottish Legal Aid Board we are operating a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants. For further information, please see the applicant information pack.
Legal Member (Faculty of Advocates)
The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate evidence of the following:
- Member of the Faculty of Advocates with current or recent (within the last 3 years) experience of practicing in criminal or civil law.
- Ability to understand and analyse complex information and to make objective balanced judgements
- Ability to contribute to the strategic development of the organisation
- Ability to challenge constructively
- Ability to communicate effectively work collaboratively as part of a team
Legal Member (Law Society of Scotland)
The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate evidence of the following:
- Member of the Law Society of Scotland with current or recent (within the last 3 years) experience of practising in criminal or civil law
- Ability to understand and analyse complex information and to make objective balanced judgements
- Ability to contribute to the strategic development of the organisation
- Ability to challenge constructively
- Ability to communicate effectively work collaboratively as part of a team
Court Experience Member
The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate evidence of the following:
- Recent experience (within the last 3 years) of the Scottish courts system.
- Ability to understand and analyse complex information and to make objective balanced judgements
- Ability to challenge constructively
- Ability to communicate effectively work collaboratively as part of a team
Non Legal Members
The successful applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of the following:
- Change management and/or Communications and Media Strategy
- Ability to understand and analyse complex information and to make objective balanced judgements
- Ability to challenge constructively
- Ability to communicate effectively work collaboratively as part of a team
ONLINE EVENT
Changing the Chemistry will be hosting an online event on
8 December at 18:00 where you can find out more about the member roles and SLAB from the Chief Executive, Colin Lancaster, and from William Moyes, Board Chair. There will also be a Q&A session where you can put your questions to them. You can register for this event free at Eventbrite.
You can also find short videos on SLAB’s website where you can hear more from current members. These can be found here: Vacancies - Scottish Legal Aid Board (slab.org.uk)
TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE ROLES PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
- Download the candidate information pack. This will explain more about the role, the board and the application process.
- You will be asked to supply some personal information and then complete the questions relating to political activity and any conflicts of interest.
- You will be asked to evidence the essential criteria questions and upload your CV. You must complete these questions in order to apply for this role
Completed applications must be received on or before
1pm on Monday 12th January 2026.
Please note that we recommend you follow the ‘How to Apply’ section of the
candidate information pack as you complete your application, this contains more detailed instructions.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the appointments process or if require further support with your application, please contact the Public Appointments Team at public.appointments@gov.scot.
About Us
Public appointments are made by Scottish Ministers. The appointments process is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner you can find out more about the Commissioner here: Public appointments | Ethical Standards Commissioner
EQUALITY STATEMENT
Scottish Ministers value highly the benefits of diverse Public Body Boards. People from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for public appointments.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
FURTHER INFORMATION
FAQ’s about the application process is here: Public Appointments - Frequently Asked Questions
Guidance to support applicants is here: Public appointments - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Find out more about public appointments here: Public appointments - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
