Job Title: Assistant Legal Adviser - Criminal Courts Team. 

Post requires candidate to be entitled for work: No 

Salary Range: £45,518.38  to £80,436.58 

Contract Type: Permanent 

Full time/Part Time: Full Time 

Term Time only post: No 

Advert Closing Date:02/03/2025 

 

 

 

Job Overview

 

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Criminal Division at the Law Officers' Department. The work is interesting, challenging and varied. You will have the support of a friendly, inclusive and highly professional team at the Law Officers’ Department, under the leadership of the Attorney General for Jersey.

 

The role is for an Assistant Legal Adviser who will work within the Criminal Courts Team.  The Team is made up of 15 lawyers and 2 administrators who are responsible for prosecuting all criminal and regulatory matters in the Magistrate’s Court, Youth Court, Royal Court, and Court of Appeal. The team consists of Crown Advocates, Legal Advisers and Assistant Legal Advisers.

 

For a newly qualified/less experienced candidate, salary will be on a training progression starting at ALA1 (range £45,518 – £50,506) or ALA2 (range £53,000 – £57,989), or ALA3 (range £60,483 - £65,471, or ALA4 (range £67,965 – £72,954) rising, subject to satisfactory progress, to ALA5 (range £75,448 to £80,436) for a 37 hour working week. For a more experienced candidate, immediate appointment at ALA5 is possible.

 

Please contact Linda Forde ( l.forde@lawofficers.je ) to arrange for an informal discussion.

 

The Law Officers’ Department is accredited by Best Companies as ‘officially a very good company to work for’:  Best Companies | Law Officers' Department Jersey Company Profile

Job Specific Requirements

 

You will assist with the workload of the Criminal Division which includes:

 

  • The workload of the Law Officers of the Crown whose functions and responsibilities include the provision of a comprehensive legal service in respect of matters raised by States Members and every Department of the States of Jersey.

 

  • Advising and acting on behalf of the Crown in relation to criminal and regulatory matters.

 

  • Advising and directing the Honorary and States of Jersey Police Forces and other stakeholders on criminal and regulatory matters.

 

  • Preparing for and attending Court hearings in relation to criminal and regulatory matters.

 

Training will be provided in all areas to enable you to progress. This role will provide you with an extensive and clear knowledge of criminal law and enable you to have involvement in the latest developments in the criminal justice system.

Job Specific Outcomes

 

  • Carrying out detailed legal research, often on complex legal questions, regarding statutory and customary law and case law, to assist the Law Officers and legal advisers.

 

  • Preparing legal opinions, both written and oral, for Law Officers or legal advisers.

 

  • Preparing for court hearings, drafting legal papers and correspondence, and attending hearings before the Court and Tribunals as appropriate.

 

  • Liaising with, and where appropriate providing advice to, States Departments and other public authorities, including the Honorary Police and Regulatory Bodies.

 

  • Keeping abreast of current legal developments including new legislation and case law from both Jersey and England and Wales to ensure accurate presentation of information to the Law Officers and legal advisers.

 

  • Ensuring adherence to LOD (Lexcel) and States administrative procedures and policies, working within delegated authorities.

 

  • Working in a ‘digital first’ manner, maintaining records electronically in the LOD’s practice management system and delegating tasks to administrative staff.

 

  • Providing training for external departments and stakeholders, as required.

 

  • Carrying out such other duties as the LOD may reasonably request.

Qualifications

 

Essential: 

 

  • Law degree or a law conversion course.

 

Desirable:

 

  • Professional legal qualification (eg English solicitor or barrister or Jersey advocate or solicitor).

Technical Work Based Skills

 

Essential: 

 

  • Ability to carry out legal research efficiently and to present results with clarity.

 

  • Formulation of legal arguments.

 

  • Highly proficient use of Microsoft 365.

 

Desirable: 

 

  • Experience of law firm Practice Management Systems and legal research resources.

Knowledge

 

  • Knowledge of Jersey’s constitutional position and system of government.

 

  • Knowledge of Jersey’s court procedures.

 

  • Maintaining knowledge of new legislation and case law, including CPD requirements where relevant.

General skills / attributes

 

  • Working to deadlines including lodging dates and court document filing dates.

 

  • Prioritising work according to its complexity and deadline.

 

  • Effective and flexible planning such that there is ability to deal with conflicting demands as priorities shift at short notice.

 

  • Excellent written and oral communications skills required in order to explain legal arguments with clarity and precision.

Experience

 

  • Relevant legal experience obtained either in a public law sector or in private practice.

 

  • Experience in the preparation and presentation of legal arguments, with the ability to demonstrate an aptitude for applying legal theory to practice.

 

  • Experience of handling specific areas of law, with the ability to absorb and interpret information quickly and accurately.

Statutory Responsibilities

 

Active engagement, participation and compliance with any other statutory responsibilities applicable to the role, as amended from time to time. This role is politically restricted at grades ALA5/2 and ALA5/3. At these grades the jobholder is not permitted to undertake political activity involving standing for election to the States or as a Parish Constable, or publicly supporting someone who is standing for election or playing a public part in any political manner.