Legal Services Commission OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION Position: Classification Code: Branch: Section: Legal Officer LSC3 Adelaide Criminal Law Practice Division (CLPD) Status: D Ongoing Contract Other Term: 12 months Term: Job and Person ^p^yffcation Approval: -/£ ir/ Date I 11-2- /l^ } JOB 1. Summary of Role The Legal Officer is required to act as both solicitor and counsel in matters before the Magistrates and Youth Court, including as counsel in summary trials. He/she will have the conduct of an assigned criminal law case file load in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts. He/she is required to act as counsel in Magistrates Court sentence and/or conviction appeals, and on bail reviews in the Supreme Couri:. He/she is also required to appear as counsel in the District Court on guilty plea submissions, disputed facts hearings, and on less complex trials as deemed appropriate by the Manager, Criminal Law Practice Division and with guidance from members of the counsel section. He/she may from time to time instruct senior counsel on both conviction and sentence appeals in the Court of Criminal Appeal. 2. Reporting/Working Relationships Reports to the Manager, CLPD through the Team Leader, Major Indictable Team 3. Special Conditions May be required to work out of normal hours from time to time. Hold and maintain a current driver's licence and a willingness to drive is desirable. Page 1 of 4
Transcript
Legal ServicesCommissionOF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Position:
Classification Code:
Branch:
Section:
Legal Officer
LSC3
Adelaide
Criminal Law Practice Division (CLPD)
Status:
D OngoingContract
Other
Term: 12 months
Term:
Job and Person ^p^yffcation Approval:
-/£ir/ Date I
11-2- /l^
}JOB
1. Summary of Role
The Legal Officer is required to act as both solicitor and counsel in matters before theMagistrates and Youth Court, including as counsel in summary trials. He/she will havethe conduct of an assigned criminal law case file load in the Magistrates, District andSupreme Courts.
He/she is required to act as counsel in Magistrates Court sentence and/or convictionappeals, and on bail reviews in the Supreme Couri:.
He/she is also required to appear as counsel in the District Court on guilty plea submissions,disputed facts hearings, and on less complex trials as deemed appropriate by the Manager,Criminal Law Practice Division and with guidance from members of the counsel section.
He/she may from time to time instruct senior counsel on both conviction and sentenceappeals in the Court of Criminal Appeal.
2. Reporting/Working Relationships
Reports to the Manager, CLPD through the Team Leader, Major Indictable Team
3. Special Conditions
May be required to work out of normal hours from time to time.Hold and maintain a current driver's licence and a willingness to drive is desirable.
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Work at the Commission's other metropolitan or locations serviced by the Commissionand the offices or registries of other courts or organisations as required from time totime.
All applicants must provide a satisfactory police records and DCSI working withchildren check.The Legal Services Commission operates a smoke free environment.
4. Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities
The occupant of the position will be responsible for providing high quality representation incriminal law matters to clients of the Legal Services Commission by:
• acting as both solicitor and counsel in matters before the Magistrates and Youth Courtincluding summary trials , and have conduct of an assigned criminal law case file load inthe Magistrates, District and Supreme Court.
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acting as counsel in Magistrates Court sentence and/or conviction appeals and bailreviews in the Supreme Court.
Conducting guilty plea submissions, disputed facts hearings and less complex trials inthe District Court with the guidance of members of the counsel section.
assisting senior counsel on both conviction and sentence appeals in the Court ofCriminal Appeal.
working efficiently to achieve the best possible results for clients of the Legal ServicesCommission.
developing and expanding the client base of the Legal Services Commission's in-housecriminal law practice.
working as part of a team and where required assist and advise junior officers on aninformal basis;
meeting standards and targets set from time to time by the Manager of the Criminal LawPractice Division.
complying with the Commission's costing procedures, maintaining good filemanagement and complying with legal professional ethics and standards.
complying with Legal Services Commission requirements for the recording of clientinformation and other statistical data including the recording of all duty solicitorattendances.
• undertaking duty solicitor work as directed by the Manager of the Criminal Law PracticeDivision.
Perform such other duties commensurate with the position and classification as may bedirected.
Ensure all Work Health and Safety requirements are met and policies and procedures arecomplied with.
Work in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector
Employees.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
1. EducationalA^ocational Qualifications (include only those listed in Commissioner's DeterminationNo 27 as an essential qualification for the specified classification group).
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Be an admitted practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia, or currentlyeligible for admission to practice in South Australia.
Hold, or be eligible to hold, a current practising certificate and in particular havecomplied with the Law Society's Mandatory Continuing Professional Developmentscheme.
Possess a minimum of five (5) years post admission legal experience.
2. Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
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Ability to:-
relate well to members of the public and staff by engendering trust, confidence,openness and frankness.
confidently provide concise legal advice by assessing problems logically, thoroughlyand reliably with due skill and diligence.
respect the rights and preserve the confidence and dignity of all clients.
understand, appreciate and be sensitive to cultural and ethnic differences.
relate effectively to judiciary, police, support staff, government and non-governmentagencies, other professional organisations, and fellow legal practitioners.
work effectively in challenging situations.
work as part of a team and where required assist and advise junior officers on aninformal basis;
exercise judgment in carrying out legal duties - subject to direction and supervisionfrom time to time
deliver high standards of work without the need for close direction or supervision
determine priorities, organise workload and resources and meet deadlines.
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3. Experience
Possess significant experience in the criminal justice system in South Australia.
Significant Criminal law advocacy in the superior courts and courts of summary jurisdiction
4. Knowledge
A broad knowledge of social welfare and the justice system.
DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
1. Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills
A strong commitment to the principle of equality of access to justice for all persons
Highly developed inter-personal skills
Public speaking skills.
2. Experience
Appellate Court experience is desirable.
Country Circuit Court experience is desirable.
3. Knowledge
A knowledge of the Commission, it's procedures and operations.
4. Educational/Vocational Qualifications (Considered to be useful in carrying out theresponsibilities of the position).
