LAW Researcher

Overview

LAW Researcher at Office of the Chief Justice in Pretoria.

Requirements

• Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree at (NQF level 8) as recognised by SAQA.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ legal research experience.
• Superior court or litigation experience/A valid driver’s license will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of Basic Conditions of Employment Act and related labour laws & Departmental policies, knowledge of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, Labour and Labour Appeal Court Rules and Practice Manual, Employment Equity Act, Practise Manual of the Court, sound understanding of South African law and judicial system, Interpretation and application of the law and Batho Pele Principles.
• Skilled in communication (verbal & written), problem solving, decision-making, excellent research and analytical skills, report writing and editing, financial management, strategic, presentation, planning and organising, computer literacy (Word, PowerPoint and Excel), applied strategic thinking, budgeting and financial management, communication and information management, customer focus and responsiveness, diversity management, impact and Influence, managing of interpersonal conflict, networking and building bonds, project management and team leadership.

Duties

• Provide support with legal research on various legal issues, statutes, rules, regulations and case law.
• Analyse and apply complex legal principles and provide summaries to the judges, provide research support to judges in the preparation of hearings and trials, carry out research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal issues as requested by a Judge, provide analysis through studying all the relevant material, study all the relevant material and provide a thorough analysis thereof, provide support to the judges with legal arguments analysis submitted by litigants, evaluate merits of each argument, research supporting and opposing case law (precedent) and provide recommendations to the judges, review legal issues, arguments and relevant case law in the form of legal memos, prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the legal research, provide support to judges in reviewing and proofreading draft judgment(s) to ensure clarity and accuracy, proofread all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar, quality assure all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness and accuracy, correct mistakes (typos) with the help of track changes so that judges can accept or decline any proposed changes. quality assure the maintenance of knowledge of recent legal developments, new legislation, and relevant case law, provide support to the monitoring of legal journals, ensure that judges have access to the latest legal information, keep up breast with recent developments in relevant areas of law, such as legislative changes, new precedents, and emerging legal trends.

How to apply

Applications can be sent via email to 2026/116/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

Enquiries: Technical Related Enquiries: Mr PA Nkone Tel No: (012) 492 7606 HR Related Enquiries: Ms. T Mbalekwa Tel No: (010) 494 8515

Notes

The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals. All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form, which can be downloaded on internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts. Prior to appointment for SMS, a candidate would be required to complete the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services as endorsed by DPSA which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG). The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed on both pages by the applicant. The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process. Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation considered. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, social media, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process. All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointment. The Office the Chief Justice complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Act No. 4 of 2013. We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event that your application was unsuccessful, the Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies. All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes. Failure to provide requested information will render your application null and void. The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process. OTHER POSTS