Job Description
<div>The incumbent is required to perform professional legal work in a Ministry/Department under the direct supervision of a higherlevel legal officer. Duties include appearing in court, providing legal advice and opinions and drafting legal documents on the matters involving the Ministry/ Department. Depending on assignment, the incumbent may be required to perform some or the full range of the duties of the position.<br></div>
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<p><span style="font-weight: bolder;">DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:</span></p><ul><li style="margin-top: 4.4pt;">Represents the Ministry/Department on matters before the courts.<o:p></o:p></li><li style="margin-top: 3.25pt;">Provides advice on the less complex legal matters.</li><li style="margin-top: 3.25pt;"><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">Drafts</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">the</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">less</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">complex</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">legal</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">documents</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">and</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">assists</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">in</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">the</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">drafting</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">of</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">the</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">more</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">complex</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">documents</span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -16.95pt;">including contracts, leases and memorandums of agreements.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 3.25pt;">Conducts research, interprets laws, rules and regulations and prepares legal opinions and briefs in respect of the less complex legal matters.</li><li style="margin-top: 2.55pt;">Provides advice by supplying legal authorities based on research.</li><li style="margin-top: 2.55pt;">Assists in performing court case preparation work such as interviewing witnesses, taking depositions and preparing pretrial briefs and draft pleadings for filing.</li><li style="margin-top: 2.6pt;">Assists in reviewing existing legislation, rules and regulations related to the Ministrys/Departments operations and recommending appropriate amendments.</li><li style="margin-top: 1.35pt;">Assists in the development and maintenance of an up to date repository of laws, judgments, contract precedents and related materials in respect of the Ministrys/Departments operations.</li><li style="margin-top: 2.25pt;">Drafts Cabinet /Ministerial Notes, memoranda, letters and other documents on legal matters.<o:p></o:p></li><li style="margin-top: 2.2pt;">Copies and collates relevant documents.</li><li>Performs other duties as required.</li></ul>
Key Competency
<p></p><p></p><p></p><ul></ul> <p></p><div><b><u>Knowledge</u></b></div><ul><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago.</span></li><li>Knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures.</li><li>Knowledge of legal research methods and techniques.</li><li>Knowledge of the court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence.</li><li>Some knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the Ministry/Departments<span style="font-size: 9pt; letter-spacing: 1.1pt;"> </span>operations.</li><li>Some knowledge of legal drafting principles and methods</li></ul><p></p><div><b><br></b></div><div><b><u>Skills and Abilities</u></b></div><ul><li>Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.</li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Skill in the use of personal computers.</span><br></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to use eGovernment technology platforms.</span><br></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to use the internet for research purposes.</span><br></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Skill in drafting legal documents/instruments.</span><br></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to interpret and analyse the law and legal issues.</span><br></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to present and explain statements of fact and the law, and to argue clearly and logically both orally and in writing.</span><br></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to maintain confidentiality.</span><br></li><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and members of the public.</span><br></li></ul><p></p><p><b><u>Minimum Experience and Training</u></b></p><ul><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">No experience required.</span></li><li>Bachelor of Law Degree from a recognised institution.</li><li>Legal Education Certificate or equivalent from a recognised institution.</li><li>Admission to practice Law in Trinidad and Tobago<br></li></ul>