Senior Law Researcher, REF NO: 2025/277/OCJ at Office of the Chief Justice South Africa

SALARY : R582 444 - R686 091 per annum (Level 10). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.
CENTRE : GAUTENG DIVISION OF THE HIGH COURT: JOHANNESBURG
REQUIREMENTS :

• Matric certificate, and an LLB degree at (NQF level 8) or four (4) year legal qualification as recognized by SAQA. A minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a Law Researcher.
• Skills and Competencies: Knowledge of Electronic Information Resources and the ability to access and utilize computer research programmes (Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Jutastat): General Legal Knowledge,
• Knowledge of operating DCRS/CRT machine, Employment Equity Act,Practice Manual of the Court, Sound understanding of South African law and judicial system, Interpretation and application of the law, Batho Pele Principles,
• Computer literacy skills (MS office), Excellent research skills, Report Writing and editing skills, Excellent communication skills (written and Verbal), Problem analysis and solving skills, Planning and organising skills, Decision-making skills, Time management skills, Creative and analytical skills, Ability to meet deadlines, Critical thinker, Strict adherence to high ethical standards, Attention to detail, Flexibility, Time bound, Self-driven, Assertiveness, Creative, innovative and Accuracy.

DUTIES :

• Provide legal research: Consult with the judiciary in chambers and take instructions, peruse all the material lodged, identify the issue and initiate appropriate research, provide analytical summary of counsels’ arguments or written evidence in the court record, Delegate instructions to the researchers, conduct research on electronic databases as per the Judges’ request, ensure that all research provided to Judges is comprehensive and accurate. Ensure that draft judgments, articles, and speeches are clear, consistent and comprehensive: Ensure there are no stylistic, syntactical or grammatical errors,
• Ensure Judgments conform to the accepted writing Style Guide of each Court,
• Ensure preparation of a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the research, Ensure all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar, Double-check all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness.
• Assist the Judges with other extra-judicial tasks: Draft speeches, conference papers and legal articles, Ensure that all speeches, conference papers and articles are thoroughly researched, are accurate and of the highest quality,
• Ensure secretariat functions including Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committee (PEEC) meetings are being effectively performed, Ensure the judiciary of the Division is up to date on recent developments in case law, practice directives and legislation, Keep abreast of all the landmark judgments / recent developments in the law, changes in legislation and regulations,
• Ensure researchers attend to publisher related queries (e.g. Juta, Lexis and Saflii) Supervise and develop staff : Ensure general supervision of employees, Allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered by officials,
• Manage leave of staff, Advise and lead supervisees with regard to all aspects of the work, Manage performance, conduct and discipline of employees,
• Ensure that all employees are trained and developed to be able to deliver work of the required standard efficiently and effectively, Develop, implement and monitor work systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective functioning and Address enquiries and provide advice and guidance on asset allocation and control.