Senior Legal Counsel – Office of the Registrar General Full Time

Job Description
This incumbent is required to assist in the day-to day management of the Department of Public Prosecution and to perform the more complex Civil Law legal work. Duties include representing the Registrar Generals Department in the more complex Civil matters in the High Court and Magistrates Court, attending interlocutory proceedings and preparing interlocutory matters, performing pre-trial work, instructing and briefing attorneys on matters before the Privy Council, providing advice and opinions on Civil matters and supervising lower-level legal professionals engaged in Civil Law work. Dependent on assignment, the incumbent may be required to perform some or the full range of the duties of the position.
Key and Critical Responsibilities
– Assists in managing the day-to-day operations of the Department.

– Supervises lower-level professional legal staff engaged in performing Civil Law work.
– Performs pre-trial preparatory work such as attending pre-trial conferences, carrying out legal research, preparing summaries, drafting/vetting indictments, fixing Cause lists, perusing witness statements, interviewing witnesses, preparing them to give testimony and ensuring their availability in Court.
– Represents the Director, Public Prosecutions in the more complex Criminal matters involving multiple counts, multiple accused and complex issues in the High Court.
– Attends the more complex interlocutory proceeding in the High Court in Civil matters.
– Prepares all interlocutory matters in each Civil trial such as the disclosure of documents, applications to admit fresh evidence, applications to sue depositions of absent witnesses.
– Prepares other legal documents and instruments such as Notice of Discontinuance, Applications for Judges Warrants to be executed by the registrar General and other such documents.
– Instructs and briefs Attorneys-at-Law in respect of matters before the privy Council.
– Formulates and prepares indictments for the final review and signature of the Registrar general and vets simple indictments.
– Drafts and settles affidavits in respect to preliminary proceedings such as abuse applications.
– Provides advice to a Judge in Chambers in respect of the more complex civil matters, and to Police on evidence and other legal issues.
– Writes opinions in respect of the more complex criminal matters.
– Advises the Registrar General on issues of Civil law, procedure and evidence in relation to specific matters.
– Attends conferences and seminars and prepares relevant reports, and meetings of committees, Boards, tribunals and workshops for the purpose of giving advice on Civil matters.
– Attends to members of the public who visits the office for advice; also responds to letters from members of the Public.
– Performs other duties as may be required.

Key Competencies
KNOWLEDGE

– Extensive knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago.
– Extensive knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures.
– Extensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of trial advocacy.
– Extensive knowledge of the principles, methods, practices and references utilized in legal research.
– Extensive knowledge of the court procedures and practices of Trinidad and Tobago and the Rules of Evidence.
– Extensive knowledge of the statutes governing the functioning of the Department of Public Prosecutions.
– Extensive knowledge of the methods and practices involved in presenting and prosecuting civil matters before the Courts.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
– Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and the internet for research purposes.
– Skill in advocacy, negotiation and mediation.
– Skill in preparing, presenting and prosecuting civil matters in Court.
– Ability to interpret and analyse the law and legal issues.
– Ability to present and explain statements of fact and the law, and to argue clearly and logically both orally and in writing.
– Ability to think analytically.
– Ability to advise on Civil Law matters.
– Ability to supervise professional legal staff performing Civil Law work.
– Ability to maintain confidentiality.
– Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and members of the public and stakeholders.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
– Minimum of eight (8) years experience as an Attorney-at-Law practicing Civil Law including four (4) years experience managing/supervising legal professional.
– Bachelor of Laws Degree from a recognized institution.
– Legal Education Certificate or equivalent from a recognized institution.
– Admission to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago.