• Full time, Fixed term (two years) - VPS4 position

About us

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) is a jurisdiction within the Court Services Victoria statutory authority, and has a long history of providing justice for the people of Victoria in metropolitan and regional courts across the state. The Court determines in excess of 300,000 cases per annum at 51 venues, equating to approximately 90 per cent of all cases that come before Victorian courts each year. The Court aims to be an innovative, accessible and responsive court that provides quality services to the
Victorian community.

The Magistrates' Court is organised into three Divisions (Criminal Division, Civil Division and Specialist Courts and Programs Division) with a Divisional Head for each Division. The Divisional Lawyer, Criminal Division, will provide support to the Divisional Head, Supervising Magistrates and Magistrates and Judicial Registrars within the Criminal Division. They will also provide support to the Chief Magistrate's chambers.

About the role

The position reports to the Principal Lawyer, Legal Policy Unit, and is part of a legal team which includes the Divisional Lawyer for the Civil Division and the Divisional Lawyer for the Specialist Courts and Programs Division. The Divisional Lawyer contributes to improving the efficiency of the Criminal Division by supporting Magistrates and the Judicial Registrars with a range of legal work.

Key accountabilities include:

  • Undertake research and legal analysis, and draft legal documents as required including memoranda, briefs, background papers and summaries

  • Participate and represent MCV on external stakeholder forums and committees, including law reform and legislation committees

  • Provide expert subject matter advice to the Divisional Head and Supervising Magistrates regarding the development of processes and practices to improve service delivery in the Criminal Division

  • Proactively build and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including the Victorian Bar and the Law Institute of Victoria, providing assistance and advice on a wide range of legal issues as required

  • Other duties as directed and commensurate with the classification of the role.

About you

• Post-admission experience in criminal law is highly desirable
• Advanced knowledge of criminal law and procedure and the practices and processes of the Magistrates' Court
• Highly developed legal research and analytical skills
• Advanced proficiency in the delivery of well-reasoned and insightful legal analysis and opinions on complex and technical legal matters.

How to apply

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now' button, ensuring you include the following documents in your application:

• resume 
• a short covering letter
• short statement addressing the key selection criteria

For further information, please see the attached position description. 

Other Information:

Employees of Court Services Victoria are required to comply with any applicable government pandemic order, as well as any policy implemented by Court Services Victoria, in relation to mandatory vaccinations against COVID-19.  It is a condition of any offer of employment that applicants for vacant roles with Court Services Victoria agree to comply with any applicable pandemic order or policy regarding mandatory vaccinations.