Senior Lawyer

About Us

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 jurisdiction's own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.

SCV

The Supreme Court of Victoria is the highest court in Victoria and comprises the Court of Appeal and the Trial Division. The Court deals with major criminal and civil matters, plus appeals against decisions of lower courts.

The Supreme Court of Victoria recognises that its people are integral to its ability to meet and exceed community expectations and to achieve its goal of being an outstanding superior court. We continually strive to create a high-performance workplace that is characterized by creativity, innovation, flexibility, and quality delivery.

About the Role

This Senior Lawyer role sits within the Appeals & Crime arm of the Supreme Court Registry and will primarily support criminal proceedings in the Trial Division of the Court under the supervision of the Principal Lawyer, Appeals & Crime. Senior Lawyers manage and supervise registry lawyers and are responsible for the management and coordination of criminal proceedings. They provide legal support to judicial officers through management of proceedings, efficient and effective case management, undertaking legal research and drafting memoranda, court orders and/or other court documents as required.

Key accountabilities include:

• Providing tailored legal support to judicial officers and their chambers staff while actively case managing proceedings to ensure they are progressed efficiently;
• Identifying, establishing and implementing practices and procedures relevant to Appeals & Crime and identify issues and areas for legislative law reform, where relevant;
• Managing proceedings to support timely listings, including identifying and triaging complex and/or priority proceedings;
• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with the judicial officers, court staff and external stakeholders;
• Providing guidance and advice to key stakeholders, including judicial officers, court staff, the legal profession and court users in relation to court practice and procedure;
• Supporting and supervising team performance and providing feedback, direction and development to build staff and team capabilities.

Please note: due to the nature of the work of the Criminal Division of the Court, this role may involve exposure to confronting, graphic and/or distressing material.

About You

To be successful in the role, you need:

• excellent written and oral communication skills
• strong attention to detail
• high-level interpersonal, organisational and planning skills
• the ability to analyse and synthesise voluminous and at times complex material
• tertiary qualification in law and admitted to practise (note: a current practising certificate is not required)
• Post-admission experience in criminal law and legal writing is highly desirable

How to apply

Click the `Apply Now' button, ensuring you include the following in your application:

• resume
• a short cover letter

Applications may be considered as they are received, and you may be contacted prior to the application closing date.

Other information

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.

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.

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

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 email the contact person listed in the advertisement.

As part of our commitment to a safe and respectful workplace, CSV conduct pre-employment checks, including reference checks, police checks and misconduct screening. These checks are handled confidentially, with care and are a standard part of our hiring process to ensure the right fit for both candidates and Court Services Victoria.