Assistant Legal Counsel at NZ Ministry of Justice, Wellington City

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Assistant Legal Counsel

Office of the Chief District Court Judge

Permanent Full Time

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

The Assistant Legal Counsel provides legal advice, research, and operational support to the Office of the Chief District Court Judge (Te Whare) and contributes to ensuring that decisions and initiatives undertaken by Te Whare are legally sound, strategically informed, and operationally effective.

The role works closely with the Chief District Court Judge and Legal Counsel, providing legal advice to support the discharge of the Chief Judge's statutory role of ensuring the orderly and efficient conduct of the business of the court. This includes developing advice on matters relating to the operation of the District Court, constitutional matters, as well as judicial conduct and judicial terms and conditions.

The Assistant Legal Counsel also provides professional guidance, feedback and coaching to the Judges' Clerks who work in the Office, and plays an active role in fostering a supportive learning environment.

This position is based in Wellington and reports to the Legal Counsel.

About the role

Key responsibilities

• Provide timely, well-researched, accurate and practical legal advice on matters affecting the operation and administration of the District Court
• Undertake complex legal research and prepare briefing papers, legal opinions, submissions and correspondence
• Assist the Legal Counsel in advising the Chief District Court Judge and Judicial Leadership Team on strategic, constitutional, operational and judicial administration matters
• Develop and update protocols and practice notes for the District Court
• Monitor legislative, policy and case law developments relevant to the District Court and prepare explanatory briefings where appropriate

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

• A recognised law degree and a commitment to ongoing professional development
• Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and holder of an annual practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society
• Approximately 4 – 7 years post qualification legal experience
• Experience undertaking legal research and providing legal advice on complex matters.
• Experience within the public sector, justice sector, courts, or litigation practice, or familiarity with court procedure, would be advantageous

What you need to be successful

• Understanding of New Zealand's constitutional framework, including the separation of powers, the role of the judiciary, and the constitutional conventions that underpin judicial independence and impartiality
• Knowledge of the District Court's statutory framework and operations
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and confidently to a wide range of audiences
• Strong legal research, analytical and drafting skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities, and respond to changing needs
• Excellent relationship skills and confidence to engage with, and obtain the trust and confidence of, the judiciary
• Knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori would be an advantage

Mō mātou/About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The Office of the Chief District Court Judge, known as the Chief District Court Judge's Chambers / Te Whare o Ngā Kaihautū Waka o Te Kōti-ā-Rohe o Aotearoa is a small, high-impact team that provides administrative, advisory, operational and strategic support to the District Court Judicial Leadership team, the Kaihautū, comprising the Chief District Court Judge, Principal Family Court Judge, Principal Youth Court Judge, National Executive Judge, and Chief Community Magistrate. This support enables the Kaihautū to undertake their statutory and non-statutory functions and their overall leadership and administration of the District Court to ensure the delivery of timely, impartial and open justice.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture – Ministry of Justice means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions. 

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 4.4 weeks holiday leave
• flexible work hours where possible
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $99,208 and $127,683 based on skills and experience

Tono mai/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 by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Applications close on 16 October; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.

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

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