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Legal Associate - Appeals

Job No: FedCourt13
Location: Sydney, NSW

  • APS level 4
  • $63,197 - $66,499 per annum plus superannuation
  • Non-ongoing, Full-time
  • Based in Sydney, NSW

Overview of Agency

From 1 July 2016, the Courts Administration Legislation Amendment Act 2016 merged the corporate services of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia with the Federal Court of Australia into a single administrative entity – the Federal Court of Australia. The entity also includes the National Native Title Tribunal.

The Act makes provision for the courts to share corporate services including Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance as well as other functions.

Under the arrangement, each court remains independent to fulfil its statutory obligations. Heads of Jurisdiction continue to be responsible for managing the administrative affairs of their respective courts (excluding corporate services), with assistance from a Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar.

All staff of the courts are employed by the Federal Court of Australia under the Public Service Act 1999 regardless of which court or tribunal they work for or provide services to.

Court Jurisdiction

The Family Court of Australia, through its specialist judges and staff, assists Australians to resolve their most complex legal family disputes. The Family Court is a superior court of record established by Parliament in 1975 under Chapter 3 of the Constitution.

The purpose of the Court, as Australia’s superior court in family law, is to:

  • determine cases with the most complex law, facts and parties
  • cover specialised areas in family law, and
  • provide national coverage as the appellate court in family law matters.

The Court maintains registries in all Australian states and territories except Western Australia. 

Purpose of Position

The legal associate to a judge of the appeal division assists with researching cases, points of law and preparing matters for hearing by the appeal division judge.  Legal associates are responsible for providing assistance and administrative support to judicial officers during full court hearings and at other times as required.  In addition, legal associates perform court support duties from time to time.

Important Functions

The person appointed to this position is expected to carry out his or her duties so as to:

  • satisfy all relevant statutory obligations
  • satisfy the Australian Public Service Values and Code of Conduct
  • contribute to and support achievement of the Court’s Strategic and Business Plans
  • operate within the Court’s policies and procedural guide lines, and
  • support and contribute to the Court’s Service Charter

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The legal associate to a judge of the appeal division is responsible for:

  • assisting the Judge in court during full court sittings in Sydney and other capital cities
  • providing assistance to the Judge in court when hearing appeals from a judge of the Family Court of Australia or the Federal Circuit Court
  • assisting the Judge with research and the preparation of judgments
  • liasing with other legal associates to judges of the appeal division and assisting with the delivery of full court judgments
  • proof reading papers and articles to be presented by the Judge
  • providing general administrative assistance to chambers including typing, preparation of orders and outcomes and booking travel
  • Other general duties as directed by the Judge.

Reporting Relationships

A legal associate of the appeal division reports to:

  • The Team Leader Judicial Services for general administrative matters such as leave and day to day operations.
  • The Team Leader Judicial Support (Appeal Division) for duties associated with Appeal Division functions including travel.

Eligibility

Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, specifically:

  • Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship;
  • Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check, and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment;
  • Health clearance – the successful applicant may be required to complete a health declaration or attend a medical assessment to confirm their fitness for duty.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply, but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.

Qualifications

It is a mandatory that candidates have completed a qualification in law with a strong academic record and completion of family law subject. Academic transcript must be provided.

Selection Criteria

  1. Advanced research skills including use of CCH, Austlii, Lexis Nexis and Law Book data bases.
  2. Ability to prepare detailed reports and written correspondence, including excellent proof reading skills.
  3. Proficient computer skills including the use of Microsoft Office applications and the internet.
  4. 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.
  5. Knowledge or the ability to acquire such knowledge quickly, of the Family Court functions particularly the Appeal Division and the relevant practices, procedures and terminology.

How To Apply

To be considered you will need to upload a comprehensive statement of claims against the selection criteria, attach an up to date resume and academic transcript by 11:55PM (AEDT) on 1 February 2018.

For more information contact Ms Brennan on 02 9217 7119.

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