Job description

Agency Department of the Attorney-General Work unit Justice Services – Courts and Tribunals

and Justice

Job title Legal Research Officer Designation Administrative Officer 4

Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 6 months

Salary $73,091 – $83,611 Location Darwin

Position number 79230162 RTF 278717 Closing 14/10/2023

Contact officer Sarah Milligan, Principal Registrar and Director, Local Court on 08 8999 9519 or

sarah.milligan@nt.gov.au

About the agency https://justice.nt.gov.au/

Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=278717

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY, DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF TERTIARY

QUALIFICATIONS.

Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans

The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates

people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment

process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the

merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Primary objective

To conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis and prepare high quality written materials for the Judges, Judicial

Registrar, and Principal Registrar of the Northern Territory Local Court.

Context statement

The Local Court sits at approximately 30 locations across the Northern Territory. The Legal Research Officer is required to

research and draft materials at high levels of legal complexity and to distil complex legal issues into simpler forms for both

legal and non-legal audiences. The Legal Research Officer works across all jurisdictions, including but not limited to criminal,

civil, youth, coronial and work health courts. The position would suit a final year law student or recent law graduate. The

position holder may be required to travel on circuit from time to time.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Analyse requests for information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.

2. Conduct comprehensive research and analyse relevant legal instruments, including legislation, case law and academic

articles to provide high level advice to judicial officers of the Local Court.

3. Draft high quality written materials, including online content, case summaries, research papers, fact sheets, submissions

and reports for a range of internal and external stakeholders.

4. Keep informed of relevant legal and policy developments for the purpose of providing advice, and where appropriate

training, for a range of internal and external stakeholders.

5. Contribute to the reporting activities of the Local Court, including monitoring and evaluating operational data.

6. Assist to develop and maintain library services for the Local Court in consultation with Supreme Court library staff.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis, including statutory interpretation.

2. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex legal issues in written and verbal form to both legal and non-legal

audiences, including the delivery of training and/or presentations.

3. High level organisational and time management skills, including the ability to work autonomously and meet deadlines.

4. Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain working relationships with a range of internal

and external stakeholders and demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, discretion and confidentiality.

5. A working knowledge (or demonstrated ability to quickly acquire a working knowledge) of the court system in the

Northern Territory and relevant legislation, such as the Local Court Act 201, Local Court Regulations 2016 and related rules.

6. Ability to travel on circuits as required, which includes travelling on light aircraft, travelling for long distances in vehicles

and staying overnight in remote communities.

Desirable

1. Tertiary qualification in Law or undertaking study to attain that qualification.

Further information

The Successful applicant will be required to undergo a criminal history check. A criminal history check that has disclosable

outcomes will not necessary exclude an applicant from this position.