Law Researcher

POST 26/116 : LAW RESEARCHER REF NO: 2026/83/OCJ

SALARY : R487 197 - R573 897.per annum (Level 09). The successful candidate will be

required to sign a performance agreement.

CENTRE : Eastern Cape Division of The High Court: Makhanda

REQUIREMENTS : Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree or a four-year recognised

legal qualification as recognised by SAQA. A minimum of three (3) years’ legal

research experience in the relevant field. Superior court or litigation experience

and a valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage. All shortlisted

candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the

assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's

technical and generic requirements. Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge of

Electronic Information Resources and online retrieval (Westlaw, LexisNexis,

Jutastat SAFLLI and Sabinet) Practice Manual of the Court, sound

understanding of South African law and judicial system, Interpretation and

application of the law, Batho Pele Principles, communication skills (verbal and

written), problem solving and decision-making skills, excellent research and

analytical skills, report writing and editing skills, analytical skills, presentation

skills, planning and organising skills, computer literacy. communication and

Information Management, accuracy and attention to detail. Diversity

Management, managing interpersonal conflict, Project Management, ability to

work under pressure and time management skills.

DUTIES : Provide support to legal research functions for the Judges and other Court

officials: Provide support with legal research on various legal issues, statutes,

rules, regulations, and case law, analyse and apply complex legal principles

and provide summaries to the judges, provide research support to judges in

the preparation of hearings and trials, carry out research and retrieve all

material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal

issues, as requested by a Judge, provide analysis through studying all the

relevant material, study all the relevant material and provide a thorough

analysis thereof. Prepare and compile legal opinions: Provide support to the

judges with legal arguments analysis submitted by litigants, evaluate merits of

each argument, research supporting and opposing case law (precedent) and

provide recommendations to the judges, review legal issues, arguments, and

relevant case law in the form of legal memos, prepare a comprehensive

memorandum on the outcome of the legal research. Provide support with

drafting of clear, consistent and comprehensive judgments: Provide support to

judges in reviewing and proofreading draft judgment(s) to ensure clarity and

accuracy, proofread all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers

with respect to spelling and grammar, quality assure all references, full citation

of judgments and footnotes in all draft judgments and legal articles against the

original text to ensure correctness and accuracy, correct mistakes (typos) with

the help of track changes so that judges can accept or decline any proposed

changes. Ensure that Judges are up to date on recent developments in case

law, practice directives and legislation: Quality assure the maintenance of

knowledge of recent legal developments, new legislation, and relevant case

law, provide support to the monitoring of legal journals, ensure that judges have

access to the latest legal information, keep up breast with recent developments

in relevant areas of law, such as legislative changes, new precedents, and

emerging legal trends.

ENQUIRIES : Technical Related Enquiries: Ms. L Frazer Tel No: (046) 603 5000

: HR Related Enquiries: Ms. Z Sulo at (087) 086 6929

APPLICATIONS : Applications can be sent via email to 2026/83/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

NOTE : The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the

Employment Equity goals.

Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree or a four-year recognised legal qualification as recognised by SAQA. A minimum of three (3) years’ legal research experience in the relevant field. Superior court or litigation experience and a valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage. All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements. Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge of Electronic Information Resources and online retrieval (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Jutastat SAFLLI and Sabinet) Practice Manual of the Court, sound understanding of South African law and judicial system, Interpretation and application of the law, Batho Pele Principles, communication skills (verbal and written), problem solving and decision-making skills, excellent research and analytical skills, report writing and editing skills, analytical skills, presentation skills, planning and organising skills, computer literacy. communication and Information Management, accuracy and attention to detail. Diversity Management, managing interpersonal conflict, Project Management, ability to work under pressure and time management skills.

Provide support to legal research functions for the Judges and other Court officials: Provide support with legal research on various legal issues, statutes, rules, regulations, and case law, analyse and apply complex legal principles and provide summaries to the judges, provide research support to judges in the preparation of hearings and trials, carry out research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal issues, as requested by a Judge, provide analysis through studying all the relevant material, study all the relevant material and provide a thorough analysis thereof. Prepare and compile legal opinions: Provide support to the judges with legal arguments analysis submitted by litigants, evaluate merits of each argument, research supporting and opposing case law (precedent) and provide recommendations to the judges, review legal issues, arguments, and relevant case law in the form of legal memos, prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the legal research. Provide support with drafting of clear, consistent and comprehensive judgments: Provide support to judges in reviewing and proofreading draft judgment(s) to ensure clarity and accuracy, proofread all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar, quality assure all references, full citation of judgments and footnotes in all draft judgments and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness and accuracy, correct mistakes (typos) with the help of track changes so that judges can accept or decline any proposed changes. Ensure that Judges are up to date on recent developments in case law, practice directives and legislation: Quality assure the maintenance of knowledge of recent legal developments, new legislation, and relevant case law, provide support to the monitoring of legal journals, ensure that judges have access to the latest legal information, keep up breast with recent developments in relevant areas of law, such as legislative changes, new precedents, and emerging legal trends.

Applications can be sent via email to 2026/83/OCJ@judiciary.org.za The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals. All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form, which can be downloaded on internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts. Prior to appointment for SMS, a candidate would be required to complete the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services as endorsed by DPSA which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG). The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed on both pages by the applicant. The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process. Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation considered. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, social media, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process. All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointment. The Office the Chief Justice complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Act No. 4 of 2013. We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event that your application was unsuccessful, the Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies. All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes. Failure to provide requested information will render your application null and void. The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process. OTHER POSTS

Applications: OCJ@judiciary.org.za