Principal Lawyer

Description:

About Us
Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission.
Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the ‘Courts Group'.
Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdictions own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.
VCAT
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) is a justice service that resolves a wide range of disputes for the Victorian community, including renting, planning, and consumer disputes. VCAT is committed to delivering an accessible service for all Victorians and is transforming our digital products and services to make it faster, easier, and more convenient for people to come to the tribunal.
About the Role
The Principal Lawyer is responsible for providing high level legal and policy advice to internal and external stakeholders. The role engages with stakeholders regarding new legislation and proposed legislative reforms and assesses the implications of these reforms on the Tribunal.
You will work with key stakeholders and be responsible for assessing resource implications and for considering and advising on implementation strategies to ensure VCAT is compliant with new legislation.
The role may require you to exercise the legal and statutory duties and functions of the Prinicpal Registrar as delegated in the VCAT Act, VCAT Rules, regulations and other legislation.
The role acts as the supervising lawyer for other lawyers in the VCAT Legal team.
You will be required to:
* review and report on high priority legislative and policy issues, risks and trends
* prepare and present comprehensive reports, ministerial briefs and cabinet and agency submissions on complex and sensitive issues
* provide authoritative legal advice and comment on draft legislation and regulation
* monitor changes to legislation, respond to draft bills and assess implications of reform on the Tribunal
* work closely with leadership roles at the Tribunal to provide advice on legislative changes
* work closely with stakeholders to develop funding agreements and proposals to ensure VCAT is adequately resourced
This is a fixed term position until 24 January 2026.
About You
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated:
* highly developed conceptual and analytical skills with a proven ability to provide authoritative legal advice on legal and policy matters
* a comprehensive understanding of Victoria's courts system and/or equivalent environment
* an ability to provide expert analysis, advice and recommendations in a politically sensitive environment
* a proven ability to be flexible, adaptable, collegiate and will work collaboratively as a memeber of an energetic, high-performing, and busy team
* a proven ability to work in sustained ways to deliver results under pressure, with competing priorities, incomplete or ambiguous information, and with limited supervision
* a strong policy background with experience across civil and commercial areas of law
You will have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or an equivalent qualification from a recognised tertiary institution.
You will be admitted (or eligible to be admitted) to practice as a legal practitioner in Victoria and hold (or be eligible to apply for) a current practicing certificate (mandatory)
How to apply
Click the ‘Apply Now' button, ensuring you include the following in your application:
* resume
* a short cover letter
Other information
CSV is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce.
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.
We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to email the contact person listed in the advertisement.