Job Overview

The Law Officers’ Department wishes to recruit an Assistant Legal Adviser to work in the Advice Team within the Civil Division of the Law Officers’ Department. This team provides advice to the Government, Assembly Members, the Parishes and other public authorities on a wide range of issues.  This includes advice on: public law; legislation projects, human rights; international trade, customs and immigration; financial services; digital policy; statutory interpretation and the Royal Assent process.

The work will often be high profile, politically sensitive and challenging. The successful applicant will have the ability to assimilate information quickly, carry out legal research and present a point of view clearly and persuasively in person, and in writing. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of legal areas and the role would suit a self-starter who is motivated to build their career while also serving their community.

To arrange an informal discussion or for further information relating to this role, please contact the Advice Team Manager, Victoria Bell (v.bell@lawofficers.je)

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 Purpose

An Assistant Legal Adviser provides legal support to the Law Officers and legal advisers in order to meet the objectives of the Law Officers’ Department (LOD) which are to:

• provide legal advice to the Government, the States Assembly and the Crown;

• provide an independent public prosecution service for the Island;

• protect the interests of the Crown and Government in civil proceedings;

• help safeguard children and adults at risk;

• enable the forfeiture and confiscation of the proceeds of crime;

• assist overseas law enforcement agencies; • carry out the statutory and customary law duties of the Attorney General

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).

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

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.

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.

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• 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.