Assessment Officer

Job title: Assessment Officer | Grade: 3 | Employment type: Permanent | Hours: Full time (35 hours per week) | Starting salary: £31,220 | Directorate: Operations | Department: Civil Finance – Principal Sums | Location: Edinburgh | Closing date: 10 May 2026 (23:55)

As an Assessment Officer in the Principal Sums team, you’ll play a key part in managing money recovered through civil legal aid cases. Your work helps protect the Legal Aid Fund while ensuring any remaining balances are correctly released to individuals.

This is a varied role that combines decision-making, judgement, financial assessment, and clear communication with solicitors and assisted persons. You’ll be supported by legislation, guidance and an experienced team, while also using your own judgement.

Key responsibilities include:

• assessing if money should be recovered for the Legal Aid Fund following case settlements
• calculating losses, repayments, and balances due, including interest where applicable
• carrying out financial assessments and agreeing suitable repayment arrangements
• reviewing information sent with solicitor accounts, ensuring payments and expenses are processed accurately and on time
• handling correspondence and enquiries from solicitors and assisted persons
• referring cases for further recovery action where appropriate.

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• confidence using IT systems including Microsoft applications
• the ability to understand and apply legislation or guidance, using your judgement to make decisions
• good attention to detail and accurate keyboard skills
• clear and professional written and verbal communication skills
• Previous administrative or customer service experience (legal or office-based desirable)
• An interest in financial or legal processes and working with complex information.

What we offer:

• A meaningful role where your work makes a real impact
• A supportive, inclusive, and values-driven working environment
• Opportunities for learning and professional development
• Flexible working to support a healthy work-life balance
• A competitive salary and benefits package, including pension contributions
• Generous annual leave entitlement (34 days, rising to 42 days after two years’ service)
• Enhanced family-friendly leave entitlements
• Access to wellbeing support, mental health support and an employee assistance programme
• Access to a wide range of discounts (including gym and retail) and the Cycle to Work scheme through our partner, Edenred.

For more details about this role and a full list of essential criteria and required competencies, please see the Job Description.

Completed applications should be returned by Sunday, 10 May 2026.

About Us

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) plays a vital role in ensuring access to justice for all individuals in Scotland. As a non-departmental public body, SLAB operates independently but is accountable to the Scottish Government. Our mission is simple: to provide essential legal support to those who need it most, ensuring fair access to justice for all.

We manage and continually improve the delivery of publicly funded legal assistance and provide strategic advice to Scottish Ministers, shaping the future of legal aid in Scotland. In a dynamic and evolving legal landscape, our work is central to the functioning of the justice system, supporting the courts and helping people navigate complex legal matters.

At SLAB, we believe in the power of a diverse, talented workforce. We employ individuals from all backgrounds, bringing a range of skills and experiences to our workforce. Every role, whether directly interacting with the public or providing behind-the-scenes support, makes a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

We offer an inclusive, supportive work environment with a comprehensive employment package. To learn more about working with SLAB and the benefits we offer, please visit www.slab.org.uk/recruitment/working-for-us.

We are an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to being fair, inclusive and a place where all belong.

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people.

We will ensure that the disclosure of disability status will not negatively impact anyone’s application. Where reasonable, we are committed to guaranteeing an interview to every applicant who indicates they have a disability, under the Equality Act 2010, and meets the minimum criteria for the role.

For further information on SLAB’s services, values, and how the legal aid system works, please visit www.slab.org.uk.