Deputy Registrar

Family Law
Dandenong VIC 3175
August 15, 2024
Full Time
Application deadline closed.

Job Description

Position overview and key duties

The Courts are seeking to engage a small number of highly capable family law practitioners who are enthusiastic, driven and motivated to assist in achieving the Courts’ objectives and perform the key functions of a Deputy Registrar of the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2) in the Melbourne and Dandenong Registries.

Deputy Registrars will perform certain delegated judicial functions in the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2) pursuant to sections 98 and 254 of the FCFCOA Act, respectively and other legislative instruments, assisting with a variety of legal work across both Courts. The Deputy Registrar position can be multi-faceted and plays a key role within the Courts, including in the following areas:

  • Court work, at the local and national level, conducting national divorce lists;
  • A variety of chambers work, including determining Applications for Consent Orders and considering certain applications as a duty registrar;
  • After appropriate training, undertaking conciliation conferences in small-mid level disputes;
  • Assisting with the formulation of legal policy within the Courts, including in support of various Court Committees and with the implementation of policies on a national basis;
  • National/operational work, assisting with the assessment of the Courts’ caseload under new legislative arrangements in support of the Chief Justice of the FCFCOA (Division 1)/Chief
  • Judge of the FCFCOA (Division 2) (Chief Justice) and the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar (CEO/PR) of the Courts;
  • Playing an important role locally and nationally in helping to deliver and implement the Courts’ reform agenda, together with delivering key Court initiatives; demonstrating leadership in the performance of their legal and other duties and functions; and
  • Liaising with internal and external stakeholders in areas of Deputy Registrar practice and matters of jurisdiction, including with the legal profession.
  • Deputy Registrars may also undertake additional national roles and responsibilities, including participating in case management initiatives within the Court, assisting with the development of coherent and consistent practice and procedure, analyses of workload, and liaison with, and education of, the profession.

After undertaking the duties of a Deputy Registrar at a high level for an appropriate period of time, consideration will be given to Deputy Registrars undertaking higher-level Registrar duties, subject to their performance, skills and experience.

Reporting lines and key relationships

The position of Deputy Registrar reports on a regular basis to the Regional Coordinating Registrar (day- to-day), more broadly to the Director – National Registrar Operations, and ultimately to the CEO/PR.

Deputy Registrars will be required to engage with a wide variety of key judges and staff, including the Chief Justice, judges, the CEO/PR, the Deputy Principal Registrar, the Executive Director – National Registrar Practice and Operations, Senior Judicial Registrars and Judicial Registrars, and key national operations staff. Deputy Registrars will also be required to liaise with the legal profession and Court users.

Formal Qualifications and Experience

  • Legal qualifications and admission as a practitioner of the High Court and/or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory of Australia is essential.
  • Two or more years of post-admission experience, preferably in family law.

Selection Criteria

The successful applicants will need to have:

  • The ability to exercise judicial discretion in an appropriate manner: capacity to preside in court and exercise delegated powers and functions in the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2) pursuant to sections 98 and 254 of the FCFCOA Act, respectively.
  • Demonstrated experience and understanding, or ability to acquire such knowledge quickly, of the Family Law Act 1975, the FCFCOA Act, Rules and Regulations; and the jurisdiction and practices and procedures of the FCFCOA (Division 1) and family law work in the FCFCOA (Division 2).
  • Well-developed understanding of civil litigation and practice in superior courts of Australia, including in family law.
  • Well-developed legal research, analysis and drafting skills underpinned by exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, critically evaluate large volumes of information, manage competing priorities effectively, and exercise sound judgment in decision-making.
  • Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to build and maintain positive professional relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with administrative tasks and technology, including the use of electronic legal resources and the ability to learn and use the Courts’ case management systems and courtroom technology.

Contact Officer

For more information, confidential enquiries can be made to [email protected].

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment with the Federal Court of Australia, you must be an Australian Citizen and will be required to provide proof of citizenship if you are the successful applicant.

Applicants offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a police record check and must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

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