Appointment of Lay Representative to the Joint Standing Committee for Legal Education in Scotland
The JSC is a consultative body comprised of representatives drawn from the main branches of the legal profession and the Universities.
Its aims and purposes are to act as a facilitator in promoting the interests of legal education, both at the level of academic training and in relation to legal professional training.
In recent years the Committee has been strengthened by the appointment of non-lawyers in its membership so that their views and experiences may contribute to discussions.
Applicants should have an interest in the practice of law in Scotland and the workings of the Scottish justice system, in quality assurance and professional standards, and in professional education and training. A commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is essential and an interest in trauma-informed practice would be helpful.
Previous experience of committee work would be advantageous, but it is not essential - we are also keen to hear from motivated candidates who are seeking their first committee position. The successful candidate will be keen to challenge constructively and ask curious questions.
The Committee would be particularly interested in receiving applications from applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Higher Education, including widening access;
• Widening participation to the professions, not necessarily the legal profession;
• Improving access to justice;
• Artificial Intelligence in education and / or a professional context.
Please note that, in addition to solicitors and advocates, those employed by the Law Society of Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates or one of the Scottish Universities are not eligible to sit as a lay member of the Committee.
The JSC is based at the University of Edinburgh but is an independent consultative body.