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Part-time peer reviewers needed for Criminal Quality Assurance Scheme

Opportunity

SLAB is looking to appoint part-time peer reviewers for the Criminal Quality Assurance Scheme.

Peer reviewers are experienced criminal solicitors who review criminal legal assistance case files against agreed quality criteria.

Due to the nature of the role, applicants are unlikely to have sufficient expertise with less than five years’ post-qualifying practising experience.

The role is offered on a consultancy basis for a fixed three-year period.

About the scheme

The Criminal Quality Assurance Scheme was developed with the Law Society of Scotland and Scottish Government and is administered by SLAB under Part IVa of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986. It is overseen by the Criminal Quality Assurance Committee and forms part of the wider compliance regime.

All criminal solicitors registered with SLAB to provide criminal legal assistance are subject to peer review. Reviews consider the quality of work evidenced in case files for summary, solemn and criminal appeal cases, including client contact, bail, pleas, trial preparation, outcomes and legal aid matters.

Find out more: Criminal quality assurance – Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Who we are looking for

Applicants should have strong experience in criminal law and the criminal legal assistance system, including solemn, summary and appeal work. Ideally, applicants should:

  • hold a full and current practising certificate
  • have at least five years’ post-qualifying practising experience
  • have practised within the last two years
  • have experience of solemn, summary and appeal cases
  • continue to practise during the three-year contract period.

Appointment and remuneration

Successful applicants will:

  • be contracted on a consultancy basis for a fixed three-year period
  • be available for up to two days a month to carry out reviews, including occasional on-site reviews at solicitors’ offices
  • attend two days of paid compulsory training before conducting reviews
  • attend annual training once in post
  • be paid £440 per day, excluding VAT (each review is expected to take half a day at £220; travel and subsistence expenses will be paid where required).

Key dates

The closing date for applications is Friday 23 October 2026 at 5pm.

Interviews are expected to take place during the weeks of 16 and 23 November 2026 and will be conducted on Microsoft Teams.

Training is expected to take place in January or February 2027.

How to apply

Please submit:

  • your CV (including full postal addresses for all solicitor-related employment in the last five years)
  • a brief cover letter explaining your reasons for applying
  • a completed Diversity and Monitoring form.

Submissions should be emailed to Lynsey Calder, Criminal Quality Assurance Coordinator, on CalderLy@slab.org.uk.

Candidates can also contact Lynsey with any queries ahead of submitting application.

Applicants can apply for both schemes if they meet the criteria. If you are applying for both, please make this clear in your cover letter.

Part-time peer reviewers needed for Children’s Quality Assurance Scheme

Opportunity

SLAB is looking for solicitors to join our current panel of peer reviewers for the Children’s Quality Assurance Scheme.

Peer reviewers are experienced children’s solicitors who review children’s legal assistance case files against agreed quality criteria.

Applicants must have been on our Children’s Legal Assistance Register for at least three years and have significant experience in working within the Children’s Hearing System.

The role is offered on a consultancy basis for a fixed three-year period.

About the scheme

The Children’s Quality Assurance Scheme is administered by us under section 28P of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 and is part of our overall compliance regime. It is overseen by the Children’s Quality Assurance Committee.

All solicitors registered with SLAB to provide children’s legal assistance are subject to peer review, to examine the quality of the work carried out on behalf of clients based on the quality of work evidenced in case files.

Find out more: Children’s quality assurance – Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Who we are looking for

Applicants should have strong experience in children’s law and the children’s legal assistance system. Ideally, applicants should:

  • hold a full and current practising certificate
  • be currently registered on the Children’s Legal Assistance Register and have been so for at least three consecutive years
  • have a high level of experience working within the Children’s Hearing System and dealing with children’s cases at all levels, from panel hearings to associate court proceedings
  • have strong knowledge and experience of the children’s legal assistance regime and the legal framework that underpins this area of work
  • continue to practise during the three-year contract period.

Appointment and remuneration

Successful applicants will:

  • be contracted on a consultancy basis for a fixed three-year period
  • be available for up to two days a month to carry out reviews, including occasional on-site reviews at solicitors’ offices
  • attend two days of paid compulsory training before conducting reviews
  • attend annual training once in post
  • be paid £440 per day, excluding VAT (each review is expected to take half a day at £220; travel and subsistence expenses will be paid where required).

Key dates

The closing date for applications is Friday 23 October 2026 at 5pm.

Interviews are expected to take place during the weeks of 16 and 23 November 2026 and will be conducted on Microsoft Teams.

Training is expected to take place in January or February 2027.

How to apply

Please submit:

  • your CV (including full postal addresses for all solicitor-related employment in the last five years)
  • a brief cover letter explaining your reasons for applying
  • a completed Diversity and Monitoring form.

Submissions should be emailed to Tracy Brown, Children’s Quality Assurance Coordinator, on BrownTr@slab.org.uk.

Candidates can also contact Tracy with any queries ahead of submitting application.

Applicants can apply for both schemes if they meet the criteria. If you are applying for both, please make this clear in your cover letter.