Senior Law Researcher REF NO: 2026/97/OCJ at Office of the Chief Justice South Africa

REQUIREMENTS :

• Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree at (NQF level 8). A minimum of three (3) years’ legal research experience of which two (2) years should be at supervisory level. A valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage.
• Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge of electronic information resources and the ability to access and utilise computer research programmes (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Jutastats), 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 and Batho Pele Principles. Skilled in Microsoft Office Programs, research, problem solving, planning and organising, good judgment and decision-making, interpersonal relations, time management, effective communication (verbally and in writing) and supervisory skills. Along with the following attributes: Ability to multitask, able to work under pressure, telephone etiquette, professionalism, ability to meet strict deadlines and ability to maintain confidentiality with ability to take charge. 

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, delegate instructions to the researcher, conduct research on electronic databases as per the Judge’s 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 judgments conform to the accepted writing Style Guide of each court, ensure preparation of a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the research, double-check all references and footnotes in all judgements and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness, assist the judges with other extra-judicial tasks, draft speeches, conferences papers and legal articles, ensure that all speeches, conference papers and articles are thoroughly researched, are accurate and of the highest quality, ensure secretarial 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 min 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 regards to all aspect of 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, address enquiries and provide advice and guidance on asset allocations and control