Job Overview

The Law Officers' Department is seeking to appoint a Legal Adviser Band 2 to provide advice in relation to immigration, customs, trade, data protection and freedom of information matters. This is a unique opportunity to provide legal work which will help shape Jersey’s domestic and international profile and interests. The position will include providing legal advice to Government on technical questions of law and policy in a range of areas, in particular, relating to movements across Jersey’s borders, data protection and freedom of information. The successful applicant will also provide advice in relation to the development of Government legislation projects and support the process of negotiating and implementing Jersey’s new and existing trading and other relationships with the UK and internationally following Brexit.  The post holder will support officers in Jersey Customs and Immigration Services, External Relations, the Department for the Economy, as well as other Government of Jersey Departments. The post holder will also co-ordinate the provision of briefings for the Law Officers on these matters and will work under the supervision of the Legal Adviser 3 or Senior Legal Adviser. The successful applicant will support and deputise for the Legal Adviser 3 and Senior Legal Adviser where appropriate.

Please email Victoria Bell (v.bell@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 Purpose

• Provide legal advice to the Government of Jersey, Government Departments, the Crown, the parish authorities, the States of Jersey Police and Honorary Police, certain States’ bodies, scrutiny panels and other Committees or delegations of the States and, in certain circumstances, States Members.

• Review and advise on draft States of Jersey principal and subordinate legislation with regard to legal functionality and compatibility with EU and other international obligations, human rights requirements and as to any proposed penalty provisions.

• Identify and define the need for new legislation and or changes to existing legislation and prepare or assist in preparing drafting instructions for such proposals in collaboration with policy officers and the Legislative Drafting Office according to the agreed timetable.

• Analyse and interpret United Kingdom legislation, EU legislation and international conventions.

• Represent the Attorney General before Courts, Tribunals, and other forums.

• Supervise, research, and analyse the implications of case law, legislation and regulatory matters and provide reports as appropriate. This will include supporting senior officers with research and reasoned advice.

• Supervise Band 1 legal advisers, assistant legal advisers and support staff, providing advice and guidance as appropriate.

• Assist other Legal Advisers as required.

• Contribute to the business planning and annual review cycle of the Law Officers’ Department (LOD).

• Support the team to plan and deliver their workload in line with LOD and Stats of Jersey (SoJ) priorities to include setting objectives and undertaking performance reviews of other staff as required.

• Ensure adherence to LOD, and SoJ administrative procedures and policies and Lexcel Standards, including time recording, working within delegated authorities, monitoring progress and file reviews.

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

Role Specific Requirements

Essential:

• The successful applicant will have the ability to develop their knowledge in the required areas quickly and will have a good working knowledge of Jersey’s constitutional relationships and Government.

• Strong project management skills are a requirement for the post and the ability to liaise with and advise officials, Ministers and Assembly Members on a range of technical issues.

• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Significant experience in at least one of the areas of immigration, customs, trade, data protection or freedom of information.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with policy officers and legislative drafters to prepare draft legislation.

• Experience of working in the public sector previously.

• Experience of analysing new legislation.

Qualifications

Essential:

Qualified advocate/solicitor/ barrister.

Desirable:

Jersey-qualified advocate or ecrivain.

Knowledge

• Seasoned professional knowledge and experience, which demonstrates the ability to develop, articulate and defend conclusions and recommendations mainly on medium and low risk cases.

• In-depth knowledge of Jersey’s system of government, its legal system, its constitutional position, and status in international matters. Command of current developments in the law and the ability to stay abreast of changes in legal practice, Jersey law and Court procedures.

Technical Work Based Skills

• Seasoned technical competence in more than one specialism of Civil Law; and a sufficient understanding of the technical aspects of other areas.

• Advanced advocacy and litigation knowledge.

• Highly proficient use of Microsoft 365, and electronic Case Management software.

General skills / attributes

• Able confidently and effectively to take decisions on medium and low risk cases.

• Good time management.

• Acts on own initiative on medium and low risk matters, only referring to others in more complex cases. Experience of working with less guidance/supervision, expected to work more autonomously, knowing the limits to one’s knowledge and when to seek advice.

Experience

• Significant relevant post qualification experience with a working knowledge/ability to develop other aspects of legal work as required.

• Experience of preparing and presenting advice on cases, with the ability to demonstrate an aptitude for applying legal theory to practice.

• Experience of handling sensitive matters and complex or novel areas of law, with the ability to absorb and interpret information quickly and accurately.

• Solutions require a good understanding of public legal service best practice.

• Experience of working within a team of one or more lawyers to achieve high professional and technical standards.

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