Application number: 1/2025

Application closes: 21/02/2025

Role: Senior Legal Officer
Level: JLG 04
Salary range: $43,989 – $55,999
Location: Suva
Unit/Division: Legal Practitioners Unit
Reporting Responsibilities;
a) Reports to: Manager Legal
b) Liaises with: All officers in th:e Legal Practitioners Unit
c) Subordinates: Legal Officers, Investigating Officers, Court Officers, Clerical
Officers, Assistant Court Officers and GWE’s

Position Purpose
The position is responsible to the Chief Registrar through the Manager Legal on legal issues with respect to any complaints made against legal practitioners or law firms or their employees and agents. To render legal opinion and to appear before the Independent Legal Services Commission or the appellate courts on behalf of the Chief Registrar in disciplinary proceedings against the aforementioned parties. Provide advice to the Chief Registrar as to whether Legal Practitioners and/or Law Firms have complied with the provisions of Legal Practitioners Act 2009 and the Trust Accounts Act 1996. To confirm and advise the Chief Registrar on whether legal practitioners are in compliance of the Legal Practitioners Act and the Trust Accounts Act prior to issuing of Practising Certificates.

Key Responsibilities

• Render Preliminary Brief Assessment on complaints received against legal practitioners by perusing the complaints and giving recommendations as to whether further evidence or investigation is needed or whether the complaint/allegations have sufficient basis for it to be referred to the legal practitioner concerned;
• Supervise and assist the Investigating Officers with investigations;
• Render legal opinion on complaints;
• Draft correspondence with stakeholders and filing;
• Draft disciplinary charges, affidavits, Notice of motion and other court documents;
• Appear before the Independent Legal Services Commission, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and conduct trials and hearings;
• Carry out extensive research;
• Prepare written submissions for the Independent Legal Services Commission or the appellate courts;
• Conduct witness conferencing;
• Attend meetings with stakeholders for instance the Registrar for Titles/Companies, Director of Lands, Bank Managers, auditors, etc;
• Assist the Principal Legal Officer to supervise the Legal Officers and all subordinate officers;
• Vetting of Practising Certificate applications and trust account audit reports;
• Assist the Principal Legal Officer in the overseeing of registry procedures;
• Assist the Principal Legal Officer in planning, organizing, reviewing, managing and maintaining registry procedures and compliance.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Person

Professionally qualified under the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act 2009 with an essential Bachelor of Laws Degree with at least Five years post admission experience. Must be admitted to the High Court of Fiji together with the following Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities are required to successfully undertake this role:

Knowledge and Experience

1. Good knowledge and understanding of the Legal Practitioners Act 2009 and Trust Accounts Act;
2. Experience in prosecution or civil litigation is preferred;
3. Good knowledge on the procedures followed by Courts and Independent Legal Services Commission;
4. Sound working knowledge on Practicing Certificate applications and Trust Accounts;
5. Good knowledge and understanding on Civil Service Act, Regulations, General Orders, Financial Instructions and Circulars;
6. Knowledge and Understanding of the Fijian Constitution.

 

Skills and Abilities

The applicant should have demonstrated the following skills and abilities:

1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
2. Excellent research skills;
3. Strong analytical, interpretive and organizational skills;
4. Ability to draft charges and affidavits;
5. Ability to assist in investigations, prepare reports and submissions;
6. Planning and organization skills and the ability to work cooperatively within a team environment;
7. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of information;
8. Demonstrated capacity to render accurate legal opinions;
9. Demonstrated ability to supervise and lead support staff.

 

Personal Character and Eligibility

Applicants for employment in the Judicial Department must be Fijian Citizens, under Age 60, in sound health, with a clear police record. The selected applicant will be required to provide a medical report and police clearance prior to taking up duty.

The Judicial Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applications are encouraged from all eligible, qualified applicants.

To apply for this role please provide an up-to-date resume with a photograph, copies of Academic Certificates & Transcripts, at least two referees, with one being a current or recent supervisor, a filled JD Form 01 which is available on website www.judiciary.gov.fj or from any Court Registry Fiji wide or HR Office in Suva.  Applications that do not meet the selection criteria will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  If you are not contacted by the Judicial Department, your application has not been successful and we thank you for your interest in applying.

 

Applications for the position must be received by 4.00pm on Friday 21^st February, 2025 and addressed to:

 

Applications by Post:

The Chief Registrar

Judicial Department

P.O.Box 2215

Government Buildings

Suva

 

OR

Applications delivered:

Judicial Department

HR Section

Level 3, Kelton House

Loftus Street

Suva, Fiji

 

OR

 

Email Application:

vacancies.judicial@judicial.gov.fj

 

LATE, UNSIGNED OR INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AND ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED AND THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT NOT TO MAKE ANY APPOINTMENT.

 

Apply now