Associate to a Judge of the County Court of Victoria

Associate to a Judge of the County Court of Victoria

- Opportunity to work with a judicial officer in Victoria's largest trial court
- Join a highly collaborative team to further develop your legal career
- Exciting role working primarily across the Common Law Division and the Criminal Division

Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission.

Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the 'Courts Group'.

Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdictions own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.

CCV

The County Court of Victoria is established pursuant to the County Court Act 1958. It has original and appellate jurisdiction and is the principal trial court in the State of Victoria. The Court hears over 12,000 criminal, common law, and commercial cases each year. The County Court has unlimited monetary jurisdiction in common law and commercial matters. In its criminal jurisdiction, the Court hears all indictable offences except treason, murder, and related offences.

There are a total of 80 Judges of the Court and over 300 staff, including judicial support staff. The County Court regularly conducts circuit sittings at 12 circuit courts situated in major centres throughout regional Victoria.

The County Court is committed to continuous improvement in accordance with the International Framework for Court Excellence. The Court's vision is to be a leader in court excellence, delivering the highest standard of justice to the community and inspiring public confidence in the rule of law.

Cases are heard across three divisions: Criminal, Commercial and Common Law.

About the Role

This position will primarily work across theCommon Law and Criminal Divisionsof the County Court of Victoria, supportingHer Honour Judge Davis.

The Common Law Divisionhas a broad jurisdiction dealing with damages and compensation cases. This includes workplace, transport accident and medical negligence claims, and claims by a beneficiary under a will. The Court has an unlimited monetary jurisdiction for damages in cases within the Common Law Division.All trials are heard by a single judge, or at a party's request, a judge and jury. Some other matters are heard by a Judicial Registrar.

The Criminal Divisionhas jurisdiction to hear indictable offences under Victorian and Commonwealth Law and appeals from the Magistrates' Court and Children's Court. This Division of the Court hears all criminal matters except treason and murder and certain other murder- related offences. The broad range of offences includes serious theft, armed robbery, drug trafficking, sexual offences, fraud and dishonesty offences, culpable driving, serious assault and income and sales tax offences. All trials listed are heard before a judge and a jury. Some other matters are heard by a Judicial Registrar.

The position of Associate is a highly sought after role and provides high-level legal and administrative support to the Judge so they can meet their obligations both within the Court and in chambers. The role requires articulate, passionate and resilient individuals who can build positive professional relationships with stakeholders.

As an Associate, you will benefit from strong insight into the different approaches taken by barristers for legal arguments and have the opportunity to develop a strong professional network. You will have exposure to sophisticated and complex legal cases.

The role will include:

- Providing operational, administrative and technical legal support
- Preparation of complex written correspondence
- Proofreading judgments and orders, including the verification of citations
- Managing the Judge's schedule of engagements and commitments
- Liaising with internal and external stakeholders including judicial officers, barristers, solicitors, Court users, registry officers and the public.
- Assisting the judge with the coordination and case management of matters, including court sittings and liaising with parties, as required
- Undertaking accurate, timely data entry and maintaining all relevant information in the case management systems in accordance with record keeping guidelines
- Undertaking legal research using online legal resources

In addition to hearing matters in Melbourne, the Judges of the of the County Court regularly sit across 12 circuit locations. Circuits are generally several weeks in length and most Judges undertake two circuits annually.

Associates are expected to travel to these regional locations to assist Judges on circuit.

About You

As a preferred candidate/s, you will have:

- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrated ability writing legal correspondence
- The ability to work both autonomously and as part of a small team
- Strong organisational awareness
- Demonstrated experience planning and prioritising workloads
- The ability to maintain flexibility with changing priorities in a sensitive and confidential environment
- Demonstrated ability to undertake work in a precise and accurate manner
- Strong computer literacy with demonstrated experience using word processing programs
- A valid Australian State or Territory driver licence
- A law degree and/or experience in legal practice or an associated field will be considered highly desirable

Recent law graduates, legal practitioners, those who have undertaken clerkships and placements at the County Court and candidates interested in a future at the Victorian Bar, are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

- a cover letter outlining your interests and suitability for the role
- a copy of your academic transcript
- the completed report titled Questions (Judge Davis)-attached with this advertisement

If you would like to learn more, please reach out to:

Sue Pearce

Email: sue.pearce@courts.vic.gov.au

Other information

Court Services Victoria (CSV) is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for these opportunities. For cultural support please contact the CSV Koori Unit:ku@courts.vic.gov.au

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Talent Acquisition team:careers@courts.vic.gov.au

We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

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