Legal Traineeship 2026 / 27

The COPFS Legal Traineeship offers a wide range of experience and opportunities in the public prosecution service in Scotland. You will have the chance to work at Crown Office, which is COPFS’ Headquarters. The traineeship will also involve successful candidates undertaking a range of responsibilities within the Procurator Fiscal’s offices throughout Scotland, including the preparation and presentation of cases in the Summary courts. If you successfully complete the traineeship you may enrol as a qualified solicitor in Scotland.
Trainees will have the opportunity to work in Procurator Fiscal’s offices throughout Scotland on rotation, flexibility around location is sought. You may also spend a proportion of the traineeship working within another government agency.
Your first seat will most likely be based in Edinburgh, with your following seats likely to become available in the following locations:
Edinburgh
Livingston
Dundee
Falkirk
Kirkcaldy
Perth
Aberdeen
Inverness
Dumbarton
Paisley
Kilmarnock
Glasgow
Airdrie
Hamilton
You will be asked to provide your location preferences in order of merit during the recruitment process. Please note that while efforts will be made to consider preferences, there is no guarantee that you will be given a seat in your preferred location as this is based on business need. You may be asked to relocate or travel to any of the offices listed and should be willing to work in any of the above offices.

+ a Scots Law LLB (or an equivalent Honours Degree in other subjects, combined with a degree in Scots Law)
+ a valid diploma in Legal Practice obtained from a Scottish university
+ an Entrance Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Alongside your salary of £32,455, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contributes £9,402 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:
+ Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 28.97% of your pay.
+ 25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 4 years).
+ Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work.
+ Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loans.
+ Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.