Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs
Port of Spain
Job Description
The incumbent is required to perform professional legal work in a Ministry/Department. Duties include appearing in court, providing legal advice and opinions, and drafting legal documents on 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.
Key and Critical Responsibilities
- Represents the Ministry/Department in court and before tribunals.<div>- Advises on legal issues relating to the administration, interpretation and enforcement of laws relative to the Ministry's/Department's operations.</div><div>- Drafts complex legal documents including contracts, leases and agreements.</div><div>- Provides legal opinions and briefs in respect of complex legal issues.</div><div>- Prepares instructions for submission to state central legal agencies on legal matters involving the state.</div><div>- Performs court cases preparation work such as interviewing witnesses, taking depositions and preparing pretrials briefs and draft pleadings for filing.</div><div>- Assists in planning, directing, coordinating and formulating legal policies and programmes of the Ministry/Department.</div><div>- Conducts research and analysis, and reports on legal matters pertinent to the Ministry's/Department's operation.</div><div>- Conducts or participates in negotiations/consultations with external/internal parties.</div><div>- Participates in or conducts the review of existing legislation, rules and regulations related to the Ministry/Department and recommends/drafts appropriate amendments.</div><div>- Represents the Ministry/Department on committees and meetings and other fora.</div><div>- Prepares Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, memoranda, letters and other documents on legal matters.</div><div>- Performs other duties as required.</div>
Key Competencies
<b><u>KNOWLEDGE </u></b><div>- Considerable knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago.</div><div>- Considerable knowledge of legal principles and practices.</div><div>- Considerable knowledge of the laws and regulations pertinent to the operations of the Ministry/Department.</div><div>- Considerable knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices.</div><div>- Considerable knowledge of legal research skills and techniques.</div><div>- Considerable knowledge of court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence.</div><div><br></div><div> </div><div><b><u>SKILLS AND ABILITIES </u></b></div><div>&nbsp;- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.</div><div>&nbsp;- Skills in the use of personal computers.</div><div>&nbsp;- Skills in drafting legal documents/instruments.</div><div>&nbsp;- Skills in negotiation, mediation and arbitration.</div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to use e-Government technology platforms.</div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to use the internet for research purposes.</div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to supervise legal officers performing professional legal work.</div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to analyze and interpret laws and regulations.</div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to present and explain statements of facts and the law, and to argue clearly and logically, orally and in writing.</div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to maintain confidentiality.</div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and members of the public.</div><div><br></div><div> </div><div><b><u>MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING </u></b></div><div>- Minimum of eight (8) years experience as a practicing Attorney at Law.</div><div>- Bachelor of Law Degree from a recognized institution.</div><div>- Admission to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>