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Position Overview
The Legal Associate is part of a team assisting a Judge in the day-to-day management of Chambers and Court.
The key duties of the position include:
Key Responsibilities and Duties
- Providing case preparation and research assistance.
- Assisting with the management of cases, and if required, entering data into the Court’s case management system.
- Assisting with the preparation of matters for hearing.
- Assisting with judgements, as required, including giving critical considerations to drafts and drafting catch words and editing judgements in accordance with the Court’s judgements publication style guide and standards.
- Undertaking administrative and client service duties, such as acting court officer, responding to emails, and assisting with the general operation of chambers.
- Other duties as required.
Qualifications
- It is a mandatory requirement that candidates have completed (or at least be in 4th year) a bachelor of laws degree (or equivalent).
- Applicants may be required to provide an example of written work demonstrating their legal research and writing skills.
Selection Criteria
- Ability to undertake legal research (including on-line research) and prepare reports and written material including correspondence.
- Sound organisational skills including the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure in a team environment.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills including tact, discretion, initiative and the ability to communicate effectively with members of the judiciary, the legal profession, the public and other court staff.
- Ability to operate computer-based equipment and associated word processing and other software.
- Knowledge, or ability to acquire knowledge, of Family Court functions, the organisation, practices, procedures and terminology.
The Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar of the Federal Court, together with officers and staff identified under the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 and the Native Title Act 1993, constitute a single Statutory Agency for the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999. Employees are engaged to work in support of the following courts or tribunal:
- Federal Court of Australia,
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and
- National Native Title Tribunal.
Employees are covered by the Federal Court of Australia Enterprise Agreement 2018–2021. The Federal Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court each maintain a distinct statutory identity, with separate functions and judicial independence.
