Solicitor (Legal Aid) | Wellington Region

Job Description

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

This exciting new role seeks a solicitor to provide advice on applying the Legal Services Act 2011 in a practical way to real cases, and to manage the legal processes arising from legal aid debt.  For example, lodging land charges over debtor's property through LINZ e-dealings.

Your advice and recommendations are integral to ensuring the Legal Services Commissioner meets their obligations. 

This is a new role with opportunities to learn about the court system and processes, engage with legal aid lawyers, and work with our Principal Legal Aid Solicitor.

You will need to be eligible for a practising certificate. 

This role would suit lawyers who have been recently admitted to the bar or are looking for an in-house role with no litigation.

You will find challenge and satisfaction with a varied workload, and work in a role that contributes to access to justice for the people of New Zealand.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined and believe you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you!

• You will need to be eligible for a practising certificate
• Experience in legal practice, with expertise in at least two of the following areas: Criminal, Civil, Family, Waitangi Tribunal, general litigation
• Experience with understanding and administering security documents
• Communicating with a wide range of audiences on complex issues
• Experienced in providing written and verbal reports and presentations to a high standard
• Awareness of the role Treaty of Waitangi has in the role of the Ministry and the work being undertaken
• Able to build and maintain positive stakeholder relationships and effective networks across and within organisations.

Mō mātou/About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to working together for a fair and safe Aotearoa.

Legal Aid in New Zealand is a government-funded scheme that provides financial assistance for legal advice and representation to people who cannot afford it. It aims to ensure everyone has access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. Legal aid is available for various types of legal matters, including criminal, family, and civil cases. 

The Legal Aid Services team is split into three core areas; Grants, Debt, and Legal Aid Providers. Each area makes a significant contribution to New Zealanders accessing justice. Our objective is to deliver consistent, quality services quickly each day. We focus on understanding our customers' needs and putting those needs at the centre of the services we deliver.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions. 

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 4.4 weeks holiday leave
• flexible work hours where possible
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $84,562 and $108,862 based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/Apply

You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Applications close on 27 June.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz

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