Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

POSITIONS AS JUDGES' CLERKS: 2022/23

Te āhuatunga a te tūranga/About the Role

A position as judges' clerk in the Court of Appeal has become available for an applicant with a very high level of academic ability and proficiency in legal research. Preferably applicants must be students who will complete their undergraduate law degree studies this year or recent graduates. The position is based in Wellington.

The appointment will commence immediately and finish at the end of 2024.  The person appointed will be expected to stay in the role for the entire period (unless prior dispensation is granted in exceptional circumstances). 

The role of judges' clerk is to undertake legal research at the direction of the judge or judges to whom the clerk is allocated.  Clerks write legal opinions and collate authorities on particular points.  They provide comments to judges on their draft judgments and check those judgments for error before delivery.  They also write summaries of recent decisions of the courts and provide analysis of issues arising in particular appeals or first instance hearings undertaken by the judges of the courts in which they work.  They may also assist with the preparation of speeches and undertake some administrative tasks for their judges. 

Many participants in the court system are vulnerable and many suffer the effects of intergenerational trauma.  This can be distressing.  Potential candidates should also be aware that some of the material clerks are required to work on may be graphic and confronting, especially in the criminal field.  Support services are available to assist clerks in dealing with such material. 

He pūkenga tou/Skills and Experience

When recruiting clerks, the judges will be looking, as far as is consistent with the attributes necessary for the role, to make diverse appointments, including diversity of background, experience and subject knowledge.  The full attributes the judges will be looking for are:

• Very high level of academic ability
• Proficiency in legal research, although an Honours degree is not essential
• Regard for human rights and dignity, including gender, ethnic and cultural equity
• Cultural competence, including a commitment to Te Tiriti and understanding tikanga
• Commitment to handle confidential information and materials with absolute discretion
• Good organisational skills and proven ability to prioritise and manage workflows
• Ability to handle important relationships with skill and sensitivity
• A professional and focused approach to work
• An ability to cope with stress
• Self-motivation and initiative
• The ability to grasp unfamiliar concepts quickly and to multi-task
• Lateral and critical thinking ability
• Ability to work co-operatively with colleagues and court staff
• Ability and commitment to produce quality work consistently and often under tight deadlines
• A broad legal education, preferably including Evidence and Company Law

Mō te tīma/About our Team

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to working together for a fair and safe Aotearoa.

Joining the Ministry of Justice means you will become part of an inclusive organisation that values you and the communities we serve. It's our promise to ensure our workplace is one where our people feel healthy and safe, supported and able to be themselves at work. We value respect as the foundation for building a positive workplace culture and one where diversity is welcomed and celebrated. 

Tono mai/How to Apply

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form.

Applicants should submit: 

• Short covering letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of their academic transcript
• Their GPA in law (excluding the first year)
• A copy of one piece of legal writing or research
• The names of two or three referees on their CV (one of whom should be a legal academic) who may be contacted in relation to suitability for appointment

In addition to contacting the nominated referees, input on the academic ranking and other attributes of candidates will be sought on a confidential basis from deans of the relevant law school and other academic staff and any recent legal employers (applicants must provide contact names and details in their CV).

Salary Range: The present starting salary of Judges' Clerks on appointment at all levels is $53,402 per annum, progressing in six-monthly increments to $67,556 per annum for the last six months of their contract.

Applications close on: Wednesday, 25 May 2022

The Ministry's top priority is the safety and wellbeing of its employees. We already have existing protocols in place to provide a safe workplace. We're now strengthening those protocols with a COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring that all roles across Te Tāhū o te Ture are carried out by people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All candidates are required to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status as part of the application process.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz