State Law Advisor: Litigation at Eastern Cape Office of the Premier

REQUIREMENTS :

• LLB (or as otherwise determined by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development).
• At least 5 years’ appropriate post qualification litigation and advisory experience. Admission as an Attorney or Advocate.
• A valid driver’s licence. An applicant must be able to understand public service prescripts and its applications, relevant legal prescripts to enable the management of litigation and mediation/ arbitration processes.  

DUTIES :

• Manage all litigation in the OTP and the Province. Implement the provincial litigation management strategy: Promote a legally compliant environment in the Eastern Cape Province. Ensure compliance with the litigation management strategy by continuously advising the department accordingly.
• Provide opinions and advice as required by the OTP. Attend quarterly provincial legal advisors’ forums. Attend State Attorney’s Liaison meeting with the various State Attorney Offices in the Province.
• Research, source and author legal articles. Render support to Principal State Law Advisor by conducting research, and research new case law which impacts on litigation. Investigate litigious matters and advise the department on the merits and further conduct of the matter.
• Facilitate external mediation/arbitration processes that may include attendance of court proceedings. Maintain a register of all cases including contingent liabilities and agency fees. Report on progress of all legal matters to the Principal State Law Advisor.
• Research relevant legal prescripts and case law in order to provide sound opinions. Collect and monitor compliance with court orders: Obtain court orders from various high courts in the province and collate same for receipt by the Department. Ensure compliance with court orders, thereby preventing contempt of court proceedings against the OTP.
• Render support in identifying, managing and facilitating the investigation of litigation claims. Support the development and implementation of an investigation plan and facilitate adherence to it. Manage area of responsibility:
• Assist in the review of the Litigation Unit’s performance and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness. Report on the Litigation Unit’s information as required by internal and external stakeholders.
• Co-ordinate the effective and efficient running and management of the Litigation Unit. Develop and implement service delivery improvement programmes. Develop the implementation of the Litigation Unit’s Annual Operational Plans.
• Monitor and report on the implementation thereof monthly, quarterly and annually Ensure that performance agreements and development plans are developed and implemented in the Litigation Unit within set timeframes.