- $230,347 - $298,337 plus 15.4% superannuation. A competitive remuneration package may be negotiated for the successful candidate based on qualifications, skills and experience.
- Ongoing, Full-time
- Sydney , NSW

Position Overview This role has a particular focus on the Court’s Litigants in Person (LIP) and Pro Bono work. A growing number of matters in the Court involve LIPs. As lay users of the Court, LIPs face challenges with the preparation and articulation of their case.

LIPs also present challenges to the Court in relation to their understanding of Court practice and procedure and the limitations to the assistance that the Court can provide to LIPs. The Court also has specific duties in relation to LIPs. The Court must ensure that LIPs are given a fair and reasonable opportunity to present their case.

This includes the provision of information about Court practice and procedure. This invariably means that matters involving LIPs require careful case management on the part of Judges, Registrars and Registry staff.

To address the particular needs of LIPs, the Court has developed an LIP Strategic Plan which implements a structured whole-of-institution approach for the work of the Court that involves LIPs. Together with the Judges of the Court, the Senior Judicial Registrar (SJR) (LIP and Pro Bono) has responsibility for the implementation of the Strategic Plan and pro bono referral program. This includes representing the Court in various external forums, developing close working relationships with legal aid and community legal centres and other third parties such as universities, overseeing and maintaining the collation, and monitoring and analysis of data on the Court’s LIP and Pro Bono work.

The SJR (LIP and Pro Bono) is a key national leadership position. In addition to the above, it will also lead, coordinate and manage the Court’s expanding LIP and Pro Bono team nationally. This involves performing a leadership, management, and mentoring role for Judicial Registrars and legal and other support staff at a local and national level.

The role will also coordinate induction, training and education sessions for Judges, Registrars and other Court staff in relation to the effective management of matters involving LIPs and vulnerable litigants more generally.

As well as the LIP and Pro Bono focus above, the SJR (LIP and Pro Bono):

- undertakes all of the functions of a Judicial Registrar at a technically advanced level, including:
- performing the statutory duties, powers and functions of a registrar pursuant to the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) and other legislative instruments, as required;
- performing delegated judicial functions;
- conducting technically complex mediations;
- undertaking case management of matters; and
- presiding in Court,



including in determining complex interlocutory disputes.

- exercises strategic organisational leadership through various national committees and works closely in support of various Judicial Committees;
- performing other duties as required or directed from time to time.

Competencies and Attributes To undertake this role the successful applicant must have:

- extensive experience in complex civil litigation;
- a thorough understanding of how high level case management and complex mediations are conducted;
- a detailed understanding of the jurisdiction and practices and procedures of the Court;
- a proven ability to:
- undertake high level analytical and legal work and critically evaluate a large volume of information in a high pressure workplace;
- exercise independent judgement in line with the expectations of a senior leader within the APS;
- manage multiple responsibilities effectively and prioritise matters appropriately; and
- build and sustain positive relationships with a network of key stakeholders internally and externally.

- a proven ability to lead, manage and mentor senior and junior staff at a local and national level.
- a comprehensive understanding of the nature of matters before courts involving LIPs and the challenges faced by both LIPs and courts in relation to such matters.

Formal Qualifications 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.

In addition, it is desirable for the applicant to be accredited as a mediator with experience in conducting mediations.

Selection Criteria

1. Shapes Strategic Thinking Relevant capabilities include:

- Inspires a sense of purpose and direction
- Focuses strategically
- Harnesses information and recognises opportunities
- Shows judgement, intelligence and common sense.

1. Achieves Results Relevant capabilities include:

- Builds organisational capability and responsiveness
- Marshals professional expertise
- Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty
- Ensures closure and delivers on intended results.

1. Exemplifies Personal Drive and Integrity Relevant capabilities include:

- Demonstrates public service professionalism and probity
- Engages with risk and shows personal courage
- Commits to action
- Displays resilience




- Demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to personal development.

1. Cultivates Productive Working Relationships Relevant capabilities include:

- Nurtures internal and external relationships
- Facilitates cooperation and partnerships
- Values individual differences and diversity
- Guides, mentors and develops people.

1. Communicates with Influence Relevant capabilities include:

- Communicates clearly
- Listens, understands and adapts to different audiences
- Negotiates persuasively.

1. The Formal Qualifications, Competencies and Attributes for the role are listed above.

How to apply To apply, please complete the application form on the Court’s careers portal. If you have any issues with applying, please email [email protected].

To be considered you will need to upload a concise expression of interest (2 page maximum) detailing how your experience and skills relate to the position description and selection criteria and attach a current resume.

For more information, please contact Nicola Colbran, Deputy Principal Registrar via email: [email protected].

Eligibility

Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following:

- Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
- Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
- Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired. Diversity and Inclusion The Federal Court of Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability, First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.

The Federal Court of Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.

RecruitAbility

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you. have disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

📌 GAZ - SES 1 - NSW - Senior Judicial Registrar (Litigants in Person and Pro Bono) - FCA (Sydney)
🏢 Federal Court of Australia
📍 Sydney