advocates' clerk (scotland)

The work

Advocates’ clerks organise the administration and workload for groups or ‘stables’ of advocates (similar to barristers in England and Wales).

The duties an advocates' clerk depend on their level of experience. The work can involve:

• taking books and papers to and from court
• filing, photocopying and dealing with letters and phone calls
• dealing with accounts and invoices, and collecting fees
• organising the law library
• researching information to help advocates prepare for cases
• arranging meetings with solicitors and clients
• negotiating advocates’ fees
• recommending the most suitable advocate for a particular case
• managing each advocate’s daily schedule and organising their court appearances
• recruiting and training junior clerks
• promoting and marketing the practice to attract new business.

Each stable of advocates is managed by one clerk and also employs a small number of deputy clerks.

Hours and Environment

As an advocates' clerk you will normally work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may sometimes need to work longer hours if your advocates are working on a highly complex case. The Advocates' Library is open 24 hours a day.

You will be based in an office near the Advocates’ Library at Parliament House in Edinburgh. You will spend some of your time visiting court and solicitors' offices. Formal business dress is expected.

Skills and Interests

To be an advocates’ clerk, you need:

• good spoken and written communication skills
• good organisational and time-management skills
• confidence and a professional manner
• tact and respect for confidential information
• the ability to work well in a team
• willingness to work long hours when necessary
• the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• computer skills
• good negotiation and financial skills, for senior jobs.

Entry

Higher English is the minimum entry requirement for becoming an advocates' clerk, although you are likely to be asked for three to five Highers including English. A growing number of advocates' clerks have a Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/HND) or degree in a legal subject.

You may have an advantage with if you have experience in court administration, legal secretarial work, accounts or management.

Training

You will usually start as a deputy clerk.

You will be trained on the job under the supervision of an experienced clerk. Your employer may also arrange short training courses from time to time.

Opportunities

As an advocates' clerk you will be employed by Faculty Services Ltd (FSL), a company that provides support services to advocates. 

The profession is very small and opportunities are limited. There are 10 FSL stables, which each work for around 30 to 40 advocates. Each stable has one advocates' clerk and at least one deputy clerks.

Jobs are advertised in the Edinburgh press and on the Faculty's website (see Further Information below).

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Deputy advocates' clerks usually earn £22,000 to £28,000 a year.
Senior clerks earn £28,000 to £40,000 a year.

Deputy clerks are paid overtime if they work more than 35 hours a week.

Further information

Faculty Services Ltd
Parliament House
Edinburgh
EH1 1RF
Tel: 0131 226 5071

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