Judges Associate

NZ Ministry of Justice; Wellington; On-site; NZD 67,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday leave (4.4 weeks)

Flexible work hours

Online professional development portal

Inclusive networks access

Job summary

Ministry of Justice (New Zealand) is seeking a Judges Associate to provide high-level executive and administrative support to a High Court Judge. You will coordinate with court staff, manage the Judge's diary, and participate in circuit travel as required.

You will be a trusted point of contact, ensuring confidentiality, accuracy and professional standards, while enabling the Judge to focus on judicial work. Flexible travel and strong Microsoft 365 skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience providing executive level support in a court or legal environment.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 and modern office systems skills, comfortable learning new technology and tools.
• Clear written and verbal communication, strong organisation, calm under pressure, positive and proactive approach.
• Excellent attention to detail and fast, accurate typing.
• Flexibility to travel within Aotearoa, including periods away from home when circuits require.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, format and distribute judgments and minutes, and manage judgment publication workflows.
• Manage the Judge's diary, case materials and court day set up and assist with case management.
• Act as the central liaison with registry, legal clerks, and external stakeholders, resolve issues or escalatet appropriately.
• Organise travel and logistics for the Judge, accompany the Judge on circuit when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality, accuracy and professional standards in every interaction, uphold the integrity of the Court.

Skills

Executive support

Court environment experience

Microsoft 365 proficiency

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

The Opportunity

Provide high level support to a High Court Judge in a dynamic and varied environment. As a Judges Associate, you will work directly with a High Court Judge each day, providing high level executive and administrative support that enables the Judge to focus on judicial work. You will be the trusted point of contact for the Judge, coordinating with court staff and the wider judiciary, and you will travel with the Judge on circuit as required.

There are two opportunities available:

• One permanent role
• One fixed-term, to 31 December 2027

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

• Significant experience providing executive level support in a court or legal environment
• Advanced Microsoft 365 and modern office systems skills, comfortable learning new technology and tools
• Clear written and verbal communication, strong organisation, calm under pressure, positive and proactive approach
• Excellent attention to detail and fast, accurate typing
• Flexibility to travel within Aotearoa, including periods away from home when circuits require

Ngā Kawenga, Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, format and distribute judgments and minutes, and manage judgment publication workflows
• Manage the Judge's diary, case materials and court day set up and assist with case management
• Act as the central liaison with registry, legal clerks, and external stakeholders, resolve issues or escalatet appropriately
• Organise travel and logistics for the Judge, accompany the Judge on circuit when needed
• Maintain confidentiality, accuracy and professional standards in every interaction, uphold the integrity of the Court

Mō mātou/About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Judges Associates are part of Te Tari Toko i te Tumu Whakawā, the Office of the Chief Justice. You will join a supportive, professional team that values the people we serve and the judiciary we support. We promote a healthy, safe workplace where respect and diversity are welcomed and celebrated.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 4.4 weeks holiday leave (permanent employees)
• flexible work hours where possible
• a online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $67,066 and $85,567 based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/Apply

Applications close on 12 November; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date. If you have any questions, please contact [e-mail]