Job Overview

The Assistant Judicial Greffier of the Royal Court and Court of Appeal plays a pivotal role in delivering effective and efficient justice to the Island.  Reporting directly to the Judicial Greffier the post-holder is a key member of the Judicial Greffe's Leadership Team and leads the Samedi division of the Royal Court. 

This is a broad-banded role (Grade 12 - 13) dependent on the level of knowledge and directly relevant experience. 

Job Purpose

The Assistant Judicial Greffier manages all aspects of the provision of efficient, high-level administrative and judicial support to the Royal Court and the Court of Appeal by the Samedi section. The post-holder leads the delivery of a professional, efficient and cost effective service to Court users and ensures that the principles of continuous improvement, business continuity, risk management, well-being and health and safety are embedded in the section.

As the Island’s Taxing Master, the Assistant Judicial Greffier is responsible for the Judicial assessment of civil and criminal costs and advise generally on legal principles to be applied in a judicial capacity

For an informal chat about this role please contact  Stephanie Peats on this email S.Peat@courts.je

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. 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.

Budgetary Responsibility

The post-holder has responsiblity for

• authorising payments of disbursements from the Legal Aid vote of circa £1.5million per annum; and
• as Taxation Master, assesses bills of costs. 

Job Specific Outcomes 1 of 2

1.Manage the Samedi (Royal Court) section in all its functions to ensure that a professional, efficient and cost effective service is provided to the Courts of Jersey.

2. Adjudicate and quantify in a judicial capacity, bills of costs submitted in civil and criminal matters on the basis of written objections pursuant to orders of the Royal Court or Court of Appeal. Where necessary, preside over taxation hearings in the presence of counsel to reach a decision based on judicial principle and to set out the reasons for that decision. Research, identify and apply judicial principles and case law prevailing in this jurisdiction. On appeal to the Royal Court against adjudication, to prepare summary findings and a reasoned judgment.

3. Provide effective leadership to the team, ensuring a performance management culture, monitoring workload, identifying training needs, setting objectives, and providing performance feedback. Communicate effectively to ensure that team members are briefed on departmental and organisational priorities. Act as a role model to support team members of the immediate and the wider team. As a member of the Judicial Greffe Leadership team, participate in a range of departmental initiatives including contributing to annual report and business plans, reviewing performance data and key performance indicators. Reviews services to ensure effectiveness and efficiency and identify improvements through creating a culture of continuous improvement.

4. Adjudicate applications for disbursements from the Legal Aid Vote (in compliance with service pledges) on the basis of legal principle and practises established in this jurisdiction. Where principles are not available, identify and determine what principles to apply and provide a reasoned decision when refusing an application for funding.

5. Provide advice on civil and criminal procedural law to the Courts, the legal profession, other departments and members of the public (especially litigants in person).

6. Undertake all procedural work in administering dégrévement (discumberment of immovable property) proceedings including providing procedural advice and presiding over hearings.

7. Act as Greffier (Proceedings Officer) at sittings of the Royal Court, when required, in order to record decisions, provide information and advice on procedure and to draft the Act of Court. To be responsible for drafting and settling complex Acts of the Royal Court relating to civil and criminal matters. To supervise and ensure that all Acts issued by the Samedi Section are accurate and issued within department service pledges.

8. Manage and authorise applications by lawyers for payment pursuant to the Public Law (Children) and Criminal Legal Aid Schemes (£900k and £1.2M respectively in 2022).

9. Act as Returning Officer during Public Elections for Senators and Deputies.

10. Deputise for the Judicial Greffier as required and undertake any tasks delegated by that post-holder.

Qualifications

Essential qualifications for this role are:

• a Law degree;
• a management qualification at Level  7; and
• a project management qualification such as Prince 2, PMP or Agile.

The successful candidate will either have a Jersey law qualification or be working towards one. 

Knowledge

Success in this role requires extensive knowledge of legislation, procedure and Court practice to provide advice to members of the legal profession and senior members of the Courts of Jersey on a wide range of civil and criminal procedural issues. 

Technical Work Based Skills

The post requires:

• the ability to understand the detail and practical application of a wide range of judicial decisions, Statutes, Rules and Regulations;
• a working knowledge of legal French;
• good working knowledge of IT systems; and
• excellent written and grammatical skills to ensure that complex Acts of Court are recorded accurately.

General skills / attributes

Essential attributes include: 

• The ability to manage, prioritise, plan and organise the fluctuating daily workload of the Samedi Section.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in order to deal with conflict and demands from members of the legal profession.
• The ability to support, motivate and influence staff in order to achieve end results.
• The ability to work accurately under pressure.

The  post-holder is required to act with the highest levels of discretion and probity at all times as dealing with sensitive legal information.

Experience

At least ten year’s managerial experience gained in a legal environment is required as is a proven track record of leading, motivating and managing a team of staff. Experience in project development/management would be desirable. 

Personal Attributes

Excellent communication skills are essential. The post-holder communicates and negotiates with legal professionals, giving verbal and written advice on a range of procedural matters. They are required to deal with difficult and challenging situations with stakeholders and must handle all interactions calmly and sensitively. The Assistant Judicial Greffier communicates judicial decisions following adjudication of costs in the form of a reasoned, written judicial decision and in the form of Acts of Court to legal practitioners and other Court users. Prior to and during Public Elections, they are in daily contact with parish officials, members of the public and politicians and communicate the result of the vote to the local media outlets. At times the post-holder will provide training/presentations on aspects of taxation of costs and the workings of the Legal Aid Vote to law firms.

The post-holder must have strong planning and organisational skills. For example, to ensure that all sittings of the Royal Court are adequately resourced at all times. They are also responsible for efficient organisation in conjunction with the Constables and the Parish Secretaries concerned in the lead up to each of the two annual Visites Royales.

The post-holder is required to analyse information and apply judgement over a range of Court issues including the Taxation of Costs, disbursements from the Legal Aid Vote and the drafting of complex Acts of Court. 

This is a leadership role and the post-holder contributes to the strategic development of the organisation. They are responsible for all aspects of management of the Samedi Team including recruitment and selection, coaching and training and performance management.