Positions vacant

As a service to our members, we maintain this page to disseminate information about legal roles available in the ACT region.

Members of the Law Society may list jobs on this page for free. Non-members may also list jobs on this page, but a small fee will be charged. 

To advertise a job on this page, please contact the communications manager on communications@actlawsociety.asn.au or visit our advertising page for paid listings. 

Positions vacant

The Sentence Administration Board is an independent tribunal-like body established under the Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005 (the CSA Act) with the objective to ensure as far as practicable that the sentences imposed by courts are given effect. The majority of its work is exercising ‘supervisory powers’ under the CSA Act for:

  • Granting or refusing parole
  • Breaches of parole
  • Breaches of Intensive Corrections Orders (ICOs)
  • Granting or refusing re-instatement of a cancelled ICO
  • Management hearings into parolee progress and compliance in the community
  • Overseas travel requests by those on parole or subject to an ICO.

Job description

The Attorney-General of the ACT, Tara Cheyne MLA, invites expressions of interest from eligible and suitably qualified people for appointment to the Sentence Administration Board of the ACT as part-time non-judicial members.

Expressions of interest are sought from all areas of the community, including the private, government and community sectors. Women, people with disabilities and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Information regarding eligibility and selection criteria may be obtained from the documents below:

- Non-judicial member

Remuneration

Remuneration is set by the ACT Remuneration Tribunal. Other terms and conditions may be set by the Executive at the time of appointment.

How to Apply

For further information regarding the position and to apply, please visit the ACT Diversity Register Board here.

Sentence Administration Board
Casual Temporary

Closes: 03 January 2025

Classification: Board/Committee/Council
Position No: Deputy Chair (judicial member)
Directorate: Independent Statutory Offices including boards, tribunals and committees
Advertised (Gazettal date): 03 December 2024
Contact Officer: Robyn Hakelis on robyn.hakelis@act.gov.au or (02) 6205 1192

The Sentence Administration Board is an independent tribunal-like body established under the Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005 (the CSA Act) with the objective to ensure as far as practicable that the sentences imposed by courts are given effect. The majority of its work is exercising ‘supervisory powers’ under the CSA Act for:

  • Granting or refusing parole
  • Breaches of parole
  • Breaches of Intensive Corrections Orders (ICOs)
  • Granting or refusing re-instatement of a cancelled ICO
  • Management hearings into parolee progress and compliance in the community
  • Overseas travel requests by those on parole or subject to an ICO.

Job description

The Attorney-General of the ACT, Tara Cheyne MLA, invites expressions of interest from eligible and suitably qualified people for appointment to the Sentence Administration Board of the ACT as a part-time judicial member.

A person is eligible to be appointed as a judicial member of the board where the Attorney-General is satisfied that the person has been a legal practitioner for not less than five years.

Expressions of interest are sought from all areas of the community, including the private, government and community sectors. Women, people with disabilities and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Information regarding eligibility and selection criteria may be obtained from the documents below:

- Judicial member

Remuneration

Remuneration is set by the ACT Remuneration Tribunal. Other terms and conditions may be set by the Executive at the time of appointment.

How to apply

For further information regarding the position and to apply, please visit the ACT Diversity Register Board here.

The Attorney-General's Department is inviting applications from suitably qualified individuals with either experience in migration or protection matters, or with general administrative review skills that are adaptable to the migration and protection jurisdictional areas.

Appointments will be for a term of up to 5 years. Eligible candidates will be assessed as suitable for appointment through a transparent and merit-based process conducted in accordance with the requirements in the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 and the Administrative Review Tribunal Regulations 2024.

The selection criteria, candidate information pack and link to apply can be found on the Attorney-General Department’s website. Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Wednesday 8 January 2025.

Further information about this reform is available on the Attorney-General Department’s website. The ART website contains other useful information about the new Tribunal

 

 

The Attorney-General’s Department is currently undertaking a recruitment process for the roles of Independent Reviewer of Adverse Security Assessments and Independent Reviewer of Security Clearance Decisions. Both roles are responsible for reviewing certain decisions by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

Both roles are expected to be part-time, with the time commitment to be determined by the number of review applications.

Information on the roles, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, can be found on the AGD Careers Page here

Applications close at 11:59pm on 27 January 2025. Applicants may apply for either or both positions.

Who we are?
We are dedicated to providing expert legal services in family law, committed to delivering exceptional client outcomes through personalised attention and professional excellence. We are seeking skilled family lawyers to join our team and contribute to our growing success.

Why us?
At Parker Coles Curtis, you are an important part of our team from the very start. We are a high performing, growth focused firm where we invest in our staff. In our recent engagement survey, we achieved an engagement score of 85% with 90% of respondents incredibly proud to work at Parker Coles Curtis. Lead by 3 incredible female directors who are leaders in their field, Parker Coles Curtis and their specialised focus on family law are unique. If you have wanted a career path in family law, we are the firm for you. Learn more about what it's like to work with us and the benefits you'd enjoy via our website: parkercolescurtis.com.au

The role?
As a senior family lawyer, you will be pivotal in handling a range of family law matters in consultation with our directors. This role requires a combination of legal expertise, client management skills, and business acumen, with a focus on providing high-quality service and contributing to our firm's growth. We are a small but mighty firm, who is growing. We encourage our team members to contribute to our organisational culture and live by our values. You will be given exposure across family law as well as ongoing CPD.

Key Responsibilities include:
• Conduct family law matters
• Creation of documents and precedents, including organised administration related to matters
• Represent the firm at events showing care and commitment in promoting the firm's business
• Exemplify advocacy and dispute resolution skills
• Fiscal responsibility by meeting financial targets and understanding billing processes
• Engage with ongoing professional development and continuous learning

About you:
• You have experience as a senior family lawyer including attending Legal Aid, FDRCs, FVO, Return Conferences and procedural Court hearings with limited guidance. 5-6 years of experience preferred, however open to considering candidates with less experience if you are a strong fit for the role.
• You are competent in preparing briefs and observations to Counsel
• You have an understanding of and ability to apply Court rules and Practice Directions to practical situations
• You have the ability to manage competing priorities and triage tasks according to priority/urgency
• You are able to provide support to directors and other senior lawyers/associates in the conduct of files including demonstrating initiative, flexibility and proactiveness in conduct of the case
• You have a growth mindset and a commitment to personal career development
• You have high-level professional communication skills, both written and oral, with demonstrated ability to deliver written work

Next steps:
Get in touch via hr@parkercolescurtis.com.au and send us your latest CV along with a cover letter telling us why you are the right person to join our team. We will be reviewing applications as they come through, expect to hear back from us swiftly. We care about the candidate experience and you dedicating the time to apply.

Inclusion
We are committed to inclusive recruitment practices, if you require any assistance during this recruitment process or have any further questions, please contact hr@parkercolescurtis.com.au

The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) is seeking expressions of interest from lawyers willing to represent subjects under the appointed lawyer provisions set out in Division 3 of Part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (the ASIO Act).

Overview

Division 3 of Part III of the ASIO Act contains a questioning framework to assist the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to gather intelligence in relation to politically motivated violence (including terrorism), espionage and acts of foreign interference. ASIO may only question an individual pursuant to the authority conferred by a questioning warrant issued by the Attorney-General.
Questioning of a subject under a questioning warrant is overseen by an independent prescribed authority appointed by the Attorney-General (ss 34AD and 34BD of the ASIO Act). The prescribed authority supervises and provides directions during the execution of the questioning warrant in accordance with Division 3 of Part III of the ASIO Act. The prescribed authority may make directions under the ASIO Act, which must be consistent with the warrant, or otherwise:

  • be approved in writing by the Attorney-General, or 
  • be necessary to satisfactorily address a concern of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) of which the prescribed authority has been informed under section 34DM of the ASIO Act.

The prescribed authority is required to explain to the subject of the warrant a number of procedural matters, including the subject’s rights and obligations under the warrant, when the subject first appears before the prescribed authority.

In certain circumstances, the prescribed authority must make a direction to appoint a lawyer for the subject of a questioning warrant (ss 34FB and 34FC of the ASIO Act). For example, under paragraph 34FB(2)(a) of the ASIO Act, the prescribed authority must give a direction that a specified person be appointed as the lawyer for the subject of an adult questioning warrant where:

  • the warrant includes an immediate appearance requirement, and
  • a lawyer for the subject is not present while the subject is appearing before a prescribed authority for questioning under the warrant.

In these circumstances, the subject may also contact a lawyer of choice other than the appointed lawyer. To enable questioning to commence without delay, the subject will be questioned in the presence of the appointed lawyer until the subject’s lawyer of choice arrives.

In addition to this, a minor must not be questioned in the absence of a lawyer under any circumstances. Therefore, to ensure questioning may commence without delay, the prescribed authority must give a direction that a specified person be appointed as the lawyer for the subject of a minor questioning warrant where:

  • the warrant includes an immediate appearance requirement, and a lawyer for the subject is not present while the subject is appearing before a prescribed authority for questioning under the warrant (s 34FC(2)(a)), or
  • questioning has been deferred to enable the subject to obtain a lawyer, and the prescribed authority is satisfied that such time as is reasonable to enable a lawyer for the subject to be present during the questioning has passed (s 34FC(3)(b)).

The prescribed authority has the authority to appoint a lawyer independently of ASIO and the Australian Government.

What would you do as an appointed lawyer?

Lawyers appointed for the subject of an adult questioning warrant must be present while the subject is questioned before a prescribed authority, unless the subject voluntarily chooses to be questioned in the absence of a lawyer (s 34FA), the prescribed authority gives a direction under subparagraph 34FF(7)(c)(i) that the lawyer is removed due to disruption of questioning proceedings, or the prescribed authority gives a direction that questioning can occur without a lawyer present (this can only occur in the limited circumstances set out in s 34FB(3)(b) or 34FF(7)(c)(iii)). The subject of a minor questioning warrant must not be questioned in the absence of a lawyer.

The lawyer provides advice to the subject during breaks in questioning (s 34FF). A lawyer must not intervene in the questioning or address the prescribed authority during questioning, except to:

  • request clarification of an ambiguous question, or
  • request a break in questioning in order to provide advice to the questioning subject.

The prescribed authority must provide a reasonable opportunity for the lawyer to advise the subject during breaks in the questioning. During a break in questioning, the lawyer may request an opportunity to address the prescribed authority on a matter.

Eligibility requirements:

  • You must be enrolled as a legal practitioner of a federal court or of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory.
  • You must hold a current practising certificate granted under a law of a State or Territory.

Remuneration

Appointed lawyers will be renumerated at an hourly rate of $290, inclusive of GST, to be billed in six-minute units. This hourly rate is consistent with the solicitor fees set out in the Commonwealth’s cost assessment policy for legal financial assistance, available at Commonwealth Legal Financial Assistance Schemes Assessment of Costs—July 2012 (ag.gov.au).

Pursuant to section 34JE of the ASIO Act, applications for financial assistance may be made to the Attorney-General in respect of the subject of a questioning warrant’s appearance before a prescribed authority for questioning under the warrant. Grants under this ASIO scheme are made on written application at the discretion of the Attorney-General. Payment of fees for appointed lawyers by the Government is not contingent on a successful application for financial assistance by the subject of a questioning warrant.

Time commitment

Questioning may take place at short notice, for a maximum permitted questioning period of 24 hours (s 34DJ of the ASIO Act), or 40 hours where an interpreter is present (s 34DK). The subject of a questioning warrant may be questioned initially for a total period of 8 hours of questioning time. The prescribed authority may give a direction to extend the questioning time by two additional 8-hour questioning blocks under certain circumstances (s 34DJ(7) and s34DK(7)). A questioning warrant may remain in force for a period of no more than 28 days, although the Attorney-General may revoke the warrant before the period has expired. Questioning may take place over several days within this 28-day period, provided the maximum permitted questioning period is not exceeded.

Questioning time does not include time occupied with procedural matters, breaks or deferrals of questioning.

The prescribed authority may set breaks between periods of questioning by giving appropriate directions under paragraph 34DE(1)(e). While there is no prescribed number of breaks, a 30 minute break will be offered to an adult questioning subject every 4 hours.1 A minor may only be questioned for continuous periods of 2 hours or less, separated by breaks as directed by the prescribed authority.2 The prescribed authority must provide a reasonable opportunity for the lawyer to advise the questioning subject during breaks in questioning.
In addition to this, the questioning subject must be given a break of sufficient duration in any 24 hour period of questioning to ensure they have an opportunity for an appropriate amount of continuous and undisturbed sleep, having regard to the subject’s age (at least 8 hours for an adult, or 10 hours for a minor).

Appointed lawyers must be willing to attend as required for each questioning session under a questioning warrant. This may be during ordinary business hours or, in exceptional circumstances, outside of ordinary business hours (including at night).

The prescribed authority will work with an appointed lawyer to take into account their availability and other commitments when scheduling questioning sessions.

Secrecy requirements

Division 3 of Part III of the ASIO Act contains a number of secrecy offences in relation to information associated with a questioning warrant (s 34GF of the ASIO Act). Section 34GF of the ASIO Act includes criminal offences if a person discloses information relating to a questioning warrant during the specified period the warrant remains in force, or for a period of up to two years after its specified expiry.

Strict liability applies to paragraphs 34GF(1)(c) and (2)(c) where the subject of the warrant or their lawyer discloses information that indicates the fact that the warrant has been issued, or a fact relating to the content of the warrant, or to the questioning or apprehension of a person in connection with the warrant and/or the information is operational information.

A subject’s lawyer is a lawyer who has at any time been:

  • present, as the lawyer for the subject of the warrant, during the questioning of the subject under the warrant, or
  • contacted for the purpose of the subject obtaining legal advice in connection with the warrant, or
  • contacted for the purpose of the subject obtaining representation in legal proceedings seeking a remedy relating to the warrant or the treatment of the subject in connection with the warrant.

How to express your interest in being an appointed lawyer

Lawyers who wish to nominate their interest should email intelligenceandsecuritypolicy@homeaffairs.gov.au with:

  • Their full name and contact details (landline and mobile phone numbers, and email address).
  • Details of their employer (if any).
  • Their jurisdiction and date of admission as an Australian legal practitioner.
  • Their curriculum vitae, including a written statement confirming the accuracy of the information therein.
  • A copy of their current practising certificate.

By providing this information to the Department, applicants consent to the Department of Home Affairs and relevant Commonwealth agencies, collecting, using and disclosing their personal information for purposes connected with the Appointed Lawyer Scheme in Division 3 of Part III of the ASIO Act. This includes consent for the Department to provide their personal information to ASIO and the prescribed authority for purposes connected with the Appointed Lawyer Scheme. For further information on how your personal information will be collected, used, stored and disclosed please refer to the attached Privacy Notice – Collection of personal information for the purposes of the Appointed Lawyer Scheme under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (APP 5).

What happens once you submit your nomination?

Individuals who express their interest in being an appointed lawyer and who meet the eligibility requirements outlined above will be placed on a confidential register maintained by the Department. Lawyers who are on the register will be contacted each year to confirm they are willing to remain on the register. Lawyers may request that they be removed from the register at any time, and can do so by emailing intelligenceandsecuritypolicy@homeaffairs.gov.au.
Should the need arise, the details of lawyers on the register will be made available to the prescribed authority responsible for overseeing questioning under a questioning warrant, in order for the prescribed authority to appoint a lawyer for the subject of a questioning warrant where necessary. While the choice of lawyer will be at the prescribed authority’s discretion, lawyers retain the discretion on whether to accept or decline to act for the questioning subject in any particular matter. Details of lawyers may also be provided to ASIO to assist in security and administrative arrangements in relation to questioning.

Lawyers who are contacted through the register may be asked to provide further information before appointment. Lawyers will also be provided with further information concerning the questioning process before they are required to represent a questioning subject. Terms of engagement will also be settled at that time.

There is no guarantee that lawyers placed on the register will be appointed as lawyers in connection with a questioning warrant. ASIO’s compulsory questioning powers are exceptional in nature and likely to be used sparingly.

Further information

If you would like further information about the Appointed Lawyer Scheme, please email intelligenceandsecuritypolicy@homeaffairs.gov.au.

Interested in tutoring at ANU?

The Research School of Accounting in the College of Business and Economics at The Australian National University is seeking expressions of interest from legal practitioners interested in tutoring in 2025. The Research School of Accounting teaches courses in Introduction to Commercial Law, Law of Business Entities and Taxation Law at undergraduate and graduate level. Further information can be obtained from Associate Professor Keturah Whitford on (02) 61254726. Please submit your expression of interest to:

https://jobs.anu.edu.au/jobs/rsa-casual-sessional-academic-canberra-act-act-australia

 

The job description and application process can be found in the link above. The position closes 31 January 2025.

Position title Legal Advisor
National Gallery level NGA6
Position number Position No. 3309
Employment type Fulltime ongoing (flexible work available)
Department Legal and Procurement
Portfolio Chief Operating Officer Portfolio
Immediate supervisor Legal Manager, EL1
Direct reports Nil
Position location National Gallery, Parkes, Kamberri/Canberra
Requirements Australian citizenship Police check Baseline security clearance

ABOUT THE NATIONAL GALLERY – ABOUT OUR TEAM
The National Gallery is one of Australia’s leading visual arts institutions. The National Gallery is based in Canberra and is a vital part of the Australian cultural landscape. Our Purpose is to collect, preserve, promote and share the national collection of art. The Vision of the National Gallery is to be the international reference point for art in Australia, inspiring all people to explore, experience and learn. Our Values include excellence, creativity, courage, respect, and accountability.

This is an exciting role to join our expanding Legal and Procurement team, which is responsible for providing critical legal and procurement advice and assistance across a variety of legal matters. Your immediate supervisor will be a Legal Manager (EL1), and you will report to the General Counsel/Head of Legal and Procurement, within the Chief Operating Officer portfolio.

The role will require you to advise on compliance issues that are common to most Commonwealth entities such as commercial contracts, procurement and privacy. However, it also presents a rare opportunity to become involved in issues that are unique to cultural institutions including intellectual property, the loan and acquisition of art, agreements with artists, provenance advice, and a broad range of commercial matters. In addition, you will gain hands-on practice management type experience

WORKING AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY
When you work at the National Gallery you will be exposed to some of the world’s leading Australian and international art and artists. We are located in the parliamentary triangle on the waterfront and your lunchtimes can be spent in our beautiful sculpture garden or around Lake Burley Griffin.

We support flexible working practices, including working from home, and you will have access to low-cost, onsite car parking. 

The National Gallery is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our people and we expect our people to share this commitment and work safely at all times.

We value the contribution that a diverse workforce brings and encourage people from a diverse background to apply. This might include identifying as First Nations peoples, people with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people and LGBTQIA+ people.

SKILLS AND CAPABILITY - OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE
Our ideal candidate will have:

1. 2-4 years’ experience as a lawyer either working for the Commonwealth or advising the Commonwealth.
2. Experience in advising on broad range of legal issues, including commercial contracts and procurements, advice writing and statutory interpretation. Experience in intellectual property law, Freedom of Information, privacy is highly desirable, but not essential.
3. Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to adapt messages to different audiences and influence stakeholders, including clearly communicating complex issues.
4. Sound research and critical analysis skills and demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction and proactive, practical advice.
5. Strong inter-personal skills and ability to engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders. We are a small and newly established so you must have a proven ability to foster engagement, build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders and a strong commitment to driving collaboration.
6. A high level of self-motivation, resilience, professionalism, integrity and discretion, demonstrating sound judgment and taking responsibility to set and manage competing priorities and deliver quality outcomes within the National Gallery operating environment.
7. Experience in, and willingness to assist with, practice management and legal administration functions such as compliance and financial reporting, document management, filing, arranging meetings, drafting management instructions and a new starter guide, reviewing and uploading requests for quote, arranging training etc.

THE KEY DUTIES OF THE POSITION - WHAT WILL YOU DO?
In accordance with the NGA Level 6 work level standards, you will:

1. Research, interpret and apply established legislation, policies, procedures and better practices relating to all facets of the National Gallery’s operations including commercial contracts, loan, donor, funding and exhibition activities, procurement.
2. Undertake high level analysis of complex issues and inquiries and prepare defensible and pragmatic advice based on all matters within the position’s remit. This may include the application of Commonwealth laws, rules and policies, whilst working closing with the team to ensure the advice is proactive, user centred advice and is tailored to meet the broad range of needs across the National Gallery.
3. Assist with contract management, contract development and negotiation activities including assisting with administrative tasks related to contract reporting as well as contract registers and related records.
4. Assist with the further development and implementation of training and organisational policies and procedures.
5. Contribute to and conduct staff training on legal and compliance matters and maintain strong relationships with teams across the National Gallery.
6. Perform practice management and legal administration functions.
7. Other duties as required commensurate with your skills and abilities.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate, or have the ability to develop the following, You will:

1. Have the ability to align your work with the strategic priorities of the National Gallery, inspiring a sense of purpose and direction with project stakeholders.
2. Have experience in managing your own and your team’s workload to achieve results, often working with tight timeframes and competing priorities.
3. Be able to communicate with influence, including negotiating persuasively, understanding and adapting to the audience, and building strong relationships between audiences, partners and other stakeholders.
4. Take a versatile, flexible and creative approach to cultivating productive working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
5. Be willing and able to assist with a variety of tasks, including those of an administrative nature.
6. Take your ethical and professional obligations as a lawyer seriously, and act with integrity at all times.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this role please go to the National Gallery's Careers portal.

You should provide a tailored CV (maximum of three pages) along with a statement of no more than two pages that outlines your skills, capabilities and experience, against the information above.

In your statement response you should keep in mind the capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role, as identified in the information above. Try not to duplicate information that can be found in your CV but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

An order of merit may be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months. Selection may be based on application and referee reports only. If you do not wish to be added to an order of merit, please notify us in your application.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To be eligible for this role you must

▪ hold an Australian Citizenship, and
▪ satisfy a police check, and
▪ hold a baseline security clearance.

Role specific mandatory qualifications certification and/or registrations include:
▪ Admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory, and
▪ A current practising certification issued by the Law Society of the ACT or in their state or territory of residence

Work, Health & Safety Obligations
The National Gallery is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our people and we expect our people to share this commitment and work safely at all times. This role is required to ensure that they meet duty of care obligations as required under WHS legislation. This is achieved by:
▪ being accountable and taking ownership of health and safety matters within their control or ability to promote a culture of health and safety within the National Gallery
▪ working with colleagues to enhance health and safety and ensure that it becomes a part of everyday National Gallery business

Contact
Further information about the position may be obtained by contacting Laura van Klaveren, General Counsel/ Head of Legal and Procurement via email at laura.vanklaveren@nga.gov.au

Closing date: 5 January 2025