Legal Officer | Full-time Permanent

Australian Capital Territory; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The ACT Integrity Commission is seeking a Legal Officer to support its Legal Team under the supervision of senior lawyers and the General Counsel. The role centers on applying professional knowledge in law to deliver high-quality legal services to the Commission.

You will conduct legal research, prepare draft opinions, assist with investigations and coordinate with staff to facilitate examinations and appearances in the ACT Supreme Court and other tribunals as required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and analysis of caselaw and other legal material, and prepare memoranda on legal issues.
• Prepare draft legal advice for review by senior lawyers on a range of issues, including operational matters and investigations.
• Assist with progression of investigations by providing legal advice, assisting with warrant applications and drafting investigation reports.
• Draft routine legal documents such as letters, confidentiality notices, non-disclosure notices, summonses, and other documents under the Integrity Commission Act 2018 (ACT).
• Coordinate with legal and administrative staff to facilitate public and private examinations.
• Prepare draft examination plans and draft observations for Counsel Assisting for examinations.
• Appear as Counsel Assisting in examinations, or develop advocacy skills to do so.
• Appear on behalf of the Commission in the ACT Supreme Court and/or other courts or tribunals as required.
• Instruct counsel in the ACT Supreme Court and/or other courts or tribunals as required.
• Assist with the preparation of reports on assessment of incoming matters and investigations as required.
• Conduct high-volume document review, draft chronologies and other summary documents, and compile briefs of evidence.
• Maintain and update Legal template documents and the Legal advice database.
• Maintain records in accordance with the Territory Records Act 2002.
• Assess and respond to Freedom of Information requests and Notice to Produce Information requests.
• Contribute to internal processes, procedures and guidance material to facilitate the work of the legal branch.
• Engage with external stakeholders and contribute to legal knowledge within the Commission.
• Contribute to CPD activities for the Legal team.

Job description

Details: The ACT Integrity Commission (the Commission) is an independent integrity agency with powers under the Integrity Commission Act 2018 (the IC Act) to investigate, expose and prevent corruption, and foster public confidence in the integrity of government.

The Legal Officer will work under the supervision of senior lawyers and the General Counsel. The Legal Officer reports to the Managing Principal Lawyer. The Legal Officer will be responsible for the provision of high-quality legal support to the Commission’s Legal Team to ensure it is fully supported in the delivery of legal services to the Commission.

In this role, the Legal Officer is expected to apply professional knowledge and skills in law and legal practice to:

• Conduct legal research and analysis of caselaw and other legal material, and prepare high quality, timely memoranda on legal issues.
• Prepare draft legal advice for review by senior lawyers on a range of issues, including on operational matters within the Commission as well as issues arising in investigations.
• Assist with the progression of investigations by providing legal advice, assisting with warrant applications and drafting investigation reports.
• Draft routine legal documents such as letters, confidentiality notices, non-disclosure notices, summonses, and other documents issued by the Commission under the Integrity Commission Act 2018 (ACT).
• Co-ordinate and liaise with legal and administrative staff within the Commission to facilitate public and private examinations.
• Prepare draft examination plans and draft observations for Counsel Assisting for examinations.
• Appear as Counsel Assisting in examinations, or be willing to develop the advocacy skills required to do so.
• Appear on behalf of the Commission in the ACT Supreme Court and/or other courts or tribunals as required.
• Instruct counsel in the ACT Supreme Court and/or other courts or tribunals as required.
• Assist with the preparation of reports on assessment of incoming matters and investigations as required.
• Conduct high-volume document review, draft chronologies and other summary documents, and compile briefs of evidence.
• Maintain and update Legal template documents.
• Maintain and update the Legal advice database ensuring that it remains current.
• Maintain records in accordance with the Territory Records Act 2002.
• Assessing and assist in responding to Freedom of Information requests in accordance with applicable legislation.
• Respond to Notice to Produce Information requests.
• Contribute to the preparation and revision of internal processes, procedures and guidance material to facilitate the work of the legal branch and other areas of the Commission.
• Engage and maintain relationships with external stakeholders.
• Contribute to legal knowledge within the Commission through a commitment to continued legal education and training.
• Contribute to CPD activities for the Legal team.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/ Other Requirements:

• The successful applicant must be an Australian citizen and possess, or acquire and maintain a security clearance at the NV1 level as an eligibility requirement for the position which will be sponsored by the ACT Integrity Commission. Further information about the clearance process can be found on theAGSVA website .
• Admission (or eligibility to be admitted) as a practitioner of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
• A restricted practising certificate or the ability to obtain one.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Commonwealth security clearance at the Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) classification; accordingly, applications can only be considered from those with Australian citizenship.

Note: A Merit Pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal .