Location – Land and Environment Court of NSW, Sydney CBD

Employment type – Ongoing Fulltime - Two vacancies available

Salary & Grade – Legal Officer VI - $165,865,00 - $169,359.00

Your role

The Senior Deputy Registrar fulfils statutory and delegated judicial functions and assists the Registrar and Director in leading a specialist registry. The role is required to deliver high quality and professional services to Judges, Commissioners, Acting Commissioners and clients of the Land and Environment Court. 

The role assists in leading and developing staff and promoting a working environment that values teamwork, ethical behaviour and high performance to achieve quality service delivery outcomes and organisational objectives and rewards innovation and performance.

What you’ll do

• Exercise statutory and delegated quasi-judicial functions to conduct directions hearings, conduct conciliation conferences and mediations and hear and determine complex interlocutory applications by applying the facts to the relevant law and communicating the outcome.
• Assist in managing the Registry on a day-to-day basis ensuring systems and procedures are in place to deliver accurate, timely, effective and high-quality services that meet the Court users’ needs and implement new initiatives and strategies to improve Court systems and processes.
• Provide leadership and motivation to staff and manage the resources of the Registry to deliver a high level of client service in compliance with relevant legislation, the Court’s Act, rules and regulations.
• Manage the performance of staff members and direct reports as appropriate and provide procedural assistance and guidance. 
• Prepare complex correspondence and deal with complex enquiries, research and interpret legislation, policy and court rules to provide accurate procedural advice and guidance .
• Undertake special projects and prepare policies, in consultation with the Registrar, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Court.
• Foster good working relationships with the Judges, Commissioners and legal practitioners and provide procedural advice to the Court’s users.
• Provide high level operational support to the Registrar to assist with managing the Registry, reporting accountabilities and facilitating management decision making.
• Assists in the management the efficient and effective operation of a complex specialist registry and supervises registry staff to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures and provides leadership to registry staff, including the promotion of a collaborative and united workforce.

What we’re looking for

• An Australian lawyer with applied experience and proficiency in the law and its underlying principles, particularly in NSW environment and planning law. 
• Someone who is familiar with court processes and procedures, who can make complex decisions in a timely manner and clearly explain their reasons (both orally and in written judgments) to parties.
• Someone who works well under pressure, who has a sound work ethic and can effectively manage their caseload.
• Someone who exercises good judgement, who inspires confidence and who is patient, respectful and courteous when interacting with court users and the Court’s staff, Judges, Commissioners.