Paralegal. Self-Represented Litigants Service (Victoria)

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1 Paralegal Self-Represented Litigants Service (Victoria) Play a vital role in improving access to justice Use your legal administrative skills to deliver legal assistance to people experiencing disadvantage Join a dynamic and growing organisation Melbourne Office PO Box Melbourne VIC DX 128 Melbourne Tel Fax justiceconnect.org.au

2 Paralegal, Self-Represented Litigants Service An opportunity has arisen to join one of Australia s most successful public interest and pro bono law organisations. Justice Connect is a not-for-profit organisation with a vision of a world that is fair and just; where rights are respected and advanced, laws are fairer, and systems are more accessible and accountable. Justice Connect provides access to justice through pro bono legal services to people experiencing disadvantage and the community organisations that support them. We also address injustice through law reform, policy work and legal education. With funding committed from the federal government as part of a national program, the Self-Represented Litigants Service will operate in the Federal and Federal Circuit Courts in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT. The service will provide assistance to self-represented litigants who do not have access to legal assistance and advice through other sources. We are currently seeking a Paralegal to assist the Manager and Lawyer of the Service to develop and implement the service in Victoria and Tasmania. The role supports the delivery of access to justice through pro bono legal services for people experiencing disadvantage and includes building, supporting and engaging a strong commitment to pro bono work among lawyers. If you hold or are in your final year of a Bachelor of Laws degree, are committed to access to justice through pro bono and have superior administrative and organisational skills, this is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic organisation that shares your vision of a fairer society. Applications close at 9am, Monday 26 May Position description, selection criteria and application details are available at

3 Position description Position title Position reports to Position works in close collaboration with Employment status Hours Salary Location Paralegal, Self-Represented Litigants Service (Vic) Manager, Self-Represented Litigants Service (NSW) and is supervised by the Lawyer, Self-Represented Litigants (Vic) Paralegal, Self-Represented Litigants Service (NSW) Fixed term for two years Full time (37.5 hours a week) $51,938 per annum, plus 9.25% superannuation, annual leave loading, & generous salary packaging options 1 Melbourne Closing date Applications are due by 9am, Monday 26 May 2014 For further information Phone Tina Turner, Director, Referral Service on (03) Role purpose With funding committed from the federal government as part of a national program, the Self-Represented Litigants Service will operate in the Federal and Federal Circuit Courts in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT. The service will provide assistance to self-represented litigants who do not have access to legal assistance and advice through other sources. The Paralegal will support the Manager and Lawyer of the Self Represented Litigants Service to develop and implement the service in Victoria and Tasmania. The role supports the delivery of access to justice through pro bono legal services for people experiencing disadvantage and includes building, supporting and engaging a strong commitment to pro bono work among lawyers. The Paralegal will need to travel between Victoria and Tasmania, as well as to NSW from time to time. Key responsibilities Undertake intake of potential clients (telephone and on-site) referred to the Self Represented Litigants Service (the Service) and undertake initial assessment of their eligibility for assistance Support the Manager and Lawyer to develop and implement the Service in Victoria and Tasmania Make appointments for clients with the Service Lawyer or Volunteer Lawyers Provide legal administrative assistance to the Service Lawyer or Volunteer Lawyers with the preparation of matters prior to an appointment Provide administrative support to the Manager and Service Lawyer, including maintaining and closing client files and maintaining the client database (PIMS) Undertake legal research as requested by the Service Lawyer or Volunteer Lawyers Assist the Manager and Service Lawyer to promote the Service and to prepare and deliver training and policy and law reform 1 As a Public Benevolent Institution, Justice Connect is able to offer staff generous salary packaging options. The tax savings for a staff member choosing to take full advantage of the salary packaging option mean that their take home salary is more than it would be without access to salary packaging.

4 Provide clients with information about Federal and Federal Circuit Court processes and procedures under the supervision of the Service Lawyer Organise Volunteer Lawyer support including liaising with partner firms and preparing volunteer rosters Assist the Service Lawyer to develop and maintain legal resources for the Service in collaboration with the Service Lawyer and Paralegal in NSW Support the Manager and Service Lawyer to build and maintain strong relationships with the Federal and Federal Circuit Courts Registries in Victoria and Tasmania Generate statistics for the Director of the Referral Service and the Manager of the Service for use in quarterly reporting, including reports to the Justice Connect Board and Federal Attorney-General s Department, and in evaluation of the Service Perform other duties as directed and necessary to the proper performance of the role This job description outlines the current duties and responsibilities of the position. These will be reviewed on a regular basis with the position holder and are subject to change according to the needs and priorities of Justice Connect and the Service. Selection criteria Qualifications Bachelor of Laws or final year student enrolled in Bachelor of Laws Technical expertise Experience Advanced skills in MS Office software, including Outlook, Excel and Access Database and client file management skills Significant experience in a comparable role, in particular: working with people from a wide range of backgrounds experience working or volunteering for a not-for-profit organisation (highly desirable) familiarity with legal practice and terminology (highly desirable) Knowledge, skills & attributes Knowledge of the procedures of the Registries of the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court Excellent oral and written communication skills Excellent legal research skills High level of communication and negotiation skills, with a demonstrated ability to use those skills to build relationships with diverse stakeholders and clients Well organised with excellent attention to detail Highly motivated and professional with a strong work ethic, a positive attitude and demonstrated ability to work in a team A sound knowledge of information and document management practices and an aptitude for analysis and data mining A commitment to Justice Connect s vision and values

5 Employee benefits Justice Connect offers employment benefits including salary packaging (making part of your salary tax-free), flexible working arrangements, above award annual leave provisions and opportunities for professional development. Justice Connect is an organisation that strives to show leadership, operate sustainably and demonstrate our effectiveness. You will be rewarded with a workplace culture that is professional, committed, collaborative and creative and where you can make a real difference through your work. Important information For further information about Justice Connect and its work, please visit The application process is as follows: Applications should be addressed to Tina Turner and should comprise a cover letter, your resume, and a succinct statement outlining your suitability for the role with reference to the selection criteria. Applications should be uploaded via the Justice Connect website as a single word or PDF file. Applications close at 9am on Monday 26 May. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by telephone.