Legal Consultant - Scottish Higher Education / Public Law / Disability Discrimination

Legal Consultant – Scottish Higher Education / Public Law / Disability Discrimination / Mental Capacity

Part-Time: 2.5 Days per Week
Salary: £25,000 per annum (part-time, 2.5 days per week)
Location: Remote
Qualification: Solicitor qualified in Scotland with a current practising certificate

About Us

We are a specialist consultancy supporting students involved in complex disputes with UK universities. This role will focus on matters involving Scottish universities and Scots law.

Our work focuses on academic appeals, academic misconduct and disciplinary proceedings, procedural fairness challenges, and equality-related issues. We particularly assist students who are at risk of suspension, expulsion, or being unable to graduate.

We provide strategic advice and case preparation support in matters involving Higher Education regulations, Public Law principles, and rights arising under the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights legislation.

Where court proceedings are required, matters are referred to or conducted through appropriately regulated legal entities.

The Role

We are seeking a solicitor qualified in Scotland to work with us in a part-time consultancy capacity, working remotely for 2.5 days per week.

The successful candidate will:

  • Provide strategic legal advice on academic appeals, academic misconduct and university disciplinary proceedings in Scotland.
  • Review and advise on appeal submissions, complaints, university decisions and supporting evidence.
  • Advise on procedural fairness, natural justice and compliance with university regulations.
  • Assist with preparing complaints to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO), including issues concerning university procedures, administrative failings and complaint handling.
  • Advise on the scope and limits of SPSO review and the appropriate routes for challenging university decisions.
  • Assess potential grounds for judicial review in Scotland, including relevant time limits and escalation options.
  • Advise on disability discrimination, reasonable adjustments and other relevant Equality Act 2010 issues.
  • Advise on relevant Human Rights Act 1998 considerations.
  • Work collaboratively with external regulated firms where litigation or specialist advice is required.

This is an advisory-focused role within a specialist education consultancy.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must have:

Qualification as a solicitor in Scotland and a current practising certificate issued by the Law Society of Scotland.

Relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Higher education law.
  • Scottish public or administrative law.
  • Judicial review in Scotland, whether through advisory work or litigation support.
  • Equality and discrimination law, including Equality Act 2010 matters.
  • University academic appeals, disciplinary proceedings or academic misconduct cases.

The ability to apply Scots law and relevant Scottish procedures to university disputes.

Strong legal drafting, analytical and evidence-assessment skills.

The ability to assess fairness, proportionality and procedural compliance.

The ability to work independently and communicate complex legal issues clearly and sensitively.

Desirable Experience

  • Experience acting for or advising students.
  • Familiarity with SPSO complaints, jurisdiction and procedures.
  • Experience reviewing Scottish university appeal, disciplinary and complaints procedures.
  • Experience advising on reasonable adjustments, disability discrimination and support for students with mental health conditions.
  • Understanding of Human Rights Act 1998 principles in public decision-making.
  • Familiarity with capacity-related issues under Scots law, including the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, where relevant.
  • Experience supporting vulnerable clients and handling sensitive medical or personal evidence.

Engagement Structure

This is a part-time consultancy role involving 2 days of work per week, delivered remotely.

The position is suitable for a solicitor seeking flexible specialist work alongside other professional commitments.

How to Apply

Please submit:

  • CV
  • A brief cover note outlining your relevant experience in Scottish higher education, public law and/or equality law.
  • An anonymised summary of similar matters handled, if available, without disclosing confidential or identifying client information.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • Flexitime
  • Work from home

Application question(s):

  • Are you a qualified Solicitor of Scotland?

Work Location: Remote

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