Careers

JOB TITLE:

Legal Research Executives in the Courts Service (x3)

• Knowledge Management Lead
• Education Lead
• Legislation and European Union Research Lead

Higher Executive Officer Grade (Dublin based)
 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Courts Service employs 1,100 people in 42 locations across the country with its primary functions being to manage the courts and court buildings; provide support services to the judiciary; provide information on the courts system to the public, and provide facilities for users of the courts.

The Courts Service seeks suitably qualified and committed individuals to take up full-time and permanent roles of Legal Research Executive at Higher Executive Officer level. The individuals will lead teams to provide legal research to judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Circuit Court and District Court.  These teams comprise Judicial Assistants and Research Support Associates employed on three-year fixed-term contracts.
 

Role and Responsibilities:

• Contributing to the development, provision and management of a comprehensive and professional legal research support service to the judiciary;
• Leading and maximising the performance of Judicial Assistant and Research Support Associate teams;
• Contributing to and developing consistent and high standards for legal research work produced by Judicial Assistants and Research Support Associates through tested research methods, tools, templates, techniques, knowledge transfer and leading by example;
• Carrying out quality assurance processes relating to legal research, drafting and IT projects involving legal databases and research tools which may form part of the Courts Service Modernisation Programme.
• Carrying out regular structured review of work quality and the delivery of objectives in conjunction with the Legal Research Managers and other Legal Research Executives;
• Managing and prioritising projects and optimising legal research output;
• Building and maintaining contacts with all relevant stakeholders to deliver the best possible results with the resources available.
• Managing a team of Judicial Assistants and Research Support Associates in respect of administrative matters.

Requirements:

Candidates for the Legislation and European Union Research Lead and the Knowledge Management Lead must, on or before 20 November 2020, be in possession of the following:

• hold an honours degree (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) with at least 2.1 honours and a recognised legal professional qualification, for example, a qualified Solicitor or Barrister.
   

Candidates for the Education Lead position must, on or before 20 November 2020, be in possession of the following:

• hold an honours degree (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) with at least a 2.1 honours and a proven track record in academia and education.
   

Candidates for these positions should demonstrate:

• demonstrate people management abilities and be competent to drive performance and motivate teams;
• demonstrate specialist in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of Irish, European and international law and the respective legal systems, including contemporary statute and case law;
• demonstrate an understanding of Court Rules and Procedures
• demonstrate excellent legal research skills and have experience of undertaking legal research projects and services either in terms of professional experience, academic or professional studies;
• demonstrate an ability to lead and develop teams in the provision of legal research projects and services;
• demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills;
• possess high level ICT skills required for legal research purposes and be familiar with the use of commercial and open-access online electronic law resources;
• have an ability to work independently at a high level while also leading a team.

Candidates should demonstrate that they have the ability to carry out successfully the duties of the role, as well as the general skills and competencies required of a Higher Executive Officer in the Civil Service, which are listed and described in the information booklet for this position.

Please refer to the Information Booklet located on https://courts.ie/careers for more information on this position.

To apply please send a completed application form for the specific position(s) to careers@courts.ie by 12:00 noon on 20^th November 2020:

EMPLOYING AUTHORITY: The Courts Service
JOB LOCATION: Smithfield, Dublin 7
CLOSING DATE OF CAMPAIGN: 12:00 noon on 20 November 2020
 

1. Legal Research Executives in the Courts Sercive (x3) Information Booklet (PDF)

2. Legal Research Executive - Knowledge Management Lead - Application Form (.docx)

3. Legal Research Executive - Education Lead - Application Form (.docx)

4. Legal Research Executive - Legislation & EU Research Lead - Application Form (.docx)

The Courts Service recruits under licence from the Commission for Public Service Appointments and all recruitment competitions are organised in compliance with guidelines set down by that body.

These can be viewed on line at www.cpsa.ie.

JOB TITLE: Head of Court Funds (Principal Officer) in the Courts Service

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Courts Service in accordance with the Courts Service Act 1998 is responsible for the management and administration of the Courts and provides support services for the judges. It is in this capacity that the Courts Service has a role in the management and investment of court funds. These funds are invested in line with the provisions of the Trustee (Authorised Investments) Act, 1958 and subsequent orders.

The statutory role of the Accountant of the Courts of Justice (ACJ) which is held by the Head of Corporate Services to whom this role reports, is; “responsible for the receipt, custody, investment and payment out of monies required to be lodged in court either by direction of the High Court or the Supreme Court, by statute or by the Rules of Court.”

There are circa 22,700 beneficiaries including litigants and persons who are Wards of Court.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the Court Funds Office so it meets its statutory obligations and the needs of those for whom it holds monies in trust.
• Lead and develop the delivery of services by the office so performance and service are maintained to a high standard.
• Streamline processes and optimise use of technology so the function is continually striving to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop an effective Court Funds Office with clearly defined roles and responsibilities and measurable performance metrics.
• Lead and develop the team under the remit of the role so as to motivate and maximise team performance.
• Proactively manage underperformance
• Oversee the management and investment of funds held in trust by the Courts (which currently amounts to circa €2.0bn).
• Manage the appointment and service delivery of independent external investment advisors. Manage the appointment and monitoring the performance and service delivery of external fund managers.
• Advising on appropriate investment strategies to be applied.
• Overall responsibility for the production of audited financial statements in accordance with the Superior court rules and in compliance with Generally Acceptable Accounting Practice.
• Provision of reports and supporting material to the Investment Committee, chaired by the President of the High Court.
• Ensure a strong control environment in relation to all operations coming within the remit of the post, including the effective operations of risk management practices.
• Manage the centralised Courts Accounting Section that processes all financial operations in respect of the Combined Circuit & District Court offices. Financial transactions include: fines, family law maintenance, bail, poor box and court fees amongst others.
• Ensure an effective and robust control environment is in place
• Ensure the processes and systems are effective and efficient and fit for purpose
• Develop a culture of continuous improvement and optimise latest technology where possible.
• Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the General Solicitors Office, Wards of Court and Court Office Managers as well as Investment Advisers, Investment Managers and members of the Investment Committee.
• Working with and responding to Internal Audit Unit reports and implementation of recommendations.
• Other ad hoc report or projects as assigned by the Head of Corporate Services
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and Data Protection obligations as well as responding to Freedom of Information requests and Parliamentary Questions.

Requirements:

• Possess a recognised professional accountancy qualification in Ireland - ACA, ACCA, or CIMA with a minimum of five years post qualification experience;
• A good knowledge of the regulatory environment governing funds held in trust together with the investment asset classes appropriate for court funds.

Candidates for this position should demonstrate:

• A minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in financial services, fund management or related sectors including experience in managing funds held in a fiduciary capacity.
• Experience of implementing risk management and controls in a complex financial environment.
• Experience of the supervision and management of third party service providers.
• Proven management experience at a senior level or a demonstrated ability to discharge senior management functions including the effective management of staff and resources.

Candidates should demonstrate that they have the ability to carry out successfully the duties of the role, as well as the general skills and competencies required of an Principal Officer in the Civil Service, which are listed and described in the information booklet for this position.

Please refer to the Information Booklet for more information on this position.

To apply please send a CV, Covering Letter to careers@courts.ie by 17:00pm on 7 December 2020:

EMPLOYING AUTHORITY: The Courts Service

EMPLOYING AUTHORITY WEBSITE: www.courts.ie

JOB LOCATION: Smithfield, Dublin 7

CLOSING DATE OF CAMPAIGN: 17:00pm on 7 December 2020