NHS National Services Scotland - Central Legal Office
The NHS National Services Scotland - Central Legal Office provides specialized legal services exclusively to NHS Boards and public sector clients within Scotland. Key services include advice on litigation, employment law, commercial contracts, and property matters. They also offer guidance on the Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme (CNORIS). This office does not cater to personal legal enquiries or provide advice to NHS employees for personal matters. Calls are screened to ensure eligibility, and services are available Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00, excluding weekends and public holidays. Common reasons for calling include seeking legal advice on NHS-related issues. Wait times are typically short, as calls are efficiently directed to the appropriate legal teams.
Updated 15 Dec 2025
Expected outcomes
- Receive legal advice on litigation
- Understand employment law issues
- Get guidance on commercial contracts
- Discuss property legal matters
- Learn about CNORIS scheme details
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- Caller name
- Organization/role
- Nature of enquiry
- NHS Board identification
- Public sector client verification
- Relevant case documents
Known issues
A common issue encountered is confusion among the public and NHS employees who mistakenly call seeking personal legal advice or access to medical records. The Central Legal Office only serves NHS Boards and public sector clients, and does not handle personal matters. Reception staff are trained to screen calls and inform ineligible callers about the scope of services. To avoid frustration, ensure you are calling on behalf of an eligible organization. If you need personal legal advice, consider contacting a private legal advisor or relevant NHS department for assistance.
