Description

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.  

CCV

The County Court of Victoria is established pursuant to the County Court Act 1958. It has original and appellate jurisdiction and is the principal trial court in the State of Victoria. The Court hears over 12,000 criminal, common law, and commercial cases each year. The County Court has unlimited monetary jurisdiction in common law and commercial matters. In its criminal jurisdiction, the Court hears all indictable offences except treason, murder, and related offences.

There are a total of 80 Judges of the Court and over 300 staff, including judicial support staff. The County Court regularly conducts circuit sittings at 12 circuit courts situated in major centres throughout regional Victoria.

The County Court is committed to continuous improvement in accordance with the International Framework for Court Excellence. The Court's vision is to be a leader in court excellence, delivering the highest standard of justice to the community and inspiring public confidence in the rule of law. 

About the Role

The County Court of Victoria is seeking a suitably experienced person to be appointed as an Associate to support Her Honour Judicial Registrar Bales.  

Judicial Registrar Bales principally sits in the Common Law Division, managing the Appeals and Post Sentence Applications (APSA) List, and also sits in the Self-Represented Litigant Lists and the Institutional Liability List.

As her Honour's associate, you will provide high level operational, administrative and technical legal support, both in chambers and in Court.  The work of the team sits within a complex, demanding and sensitive environment.  You will be responsible for case file management, a strong emphasis on communication at all levels and undertake legal research and writing.

Duties include: 

• managing all requests for urgent listings before the Judicial Registrar from practitioners, Judges and staff, seeking approval where appropriate
• assisting in the case management and support of self-represented litigants in the Common Law Division
• assisting the Judicial Registrar in the administration of the Common Law Division by reviewing and maintaining practice notes, drafting internal manuals and protocols and contributing to divisional projects
• accompanying the Judicial Registrar in Court and in Judicial Mediations by providing necessary support during hearings and Judicial Mediations, accurate record keeping and preparing orders
• providing administrative assistance to the chambers, including keeping accurate records, preparing correspondence and other documents, conducting research and preparing case summaries and managing the Judicial Registrar's schedule of engagements and hearings
• contributing to continuous improvement and performance of the Common Law Division
   

Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the County Court website: www.countycourt.vic.gov.au to find out more about the County Court's jurisdiction.

Requirements

About You

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated Court experience or legal ability, a particular interest in Common Law and in APSA related matters and have:

• exceptional organisational, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• a high level of attention to detail
• proven ability to exercise sound judgment
• demonstrated skills in balancing competing demands and working well under pressure to meet deadlines
• strong communication skills with persons of diverse backgrounds

Qualifications

A law degree and/or experience in Victorian legal practice will be viewed favourably.
 

How to apply

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

• resume
• a short cover letter
• copy of academic transcript/s 

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, we conduct pre-employment checks, including but not limited to, reference checks, police checks and misconduct screening. These checks are handled confidentially and with care and are a standard part of our hiring process to ensure the right fit for both our candidates and the organisation.