VACANCY NOTICE – Crown Counsel I

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for appointment to the post of Crown Counsel I, Crown Prosecution Service, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Saint Lucia.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE : Crown Counsel I

REPORTS TO : Director of Public Prosecutions

SUPERVISES : N/A

CLASSIFICATION : GRADE 15

A. RELATIONSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Works under the direction of and reports to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Required to respond whenever necessary to the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions on matters related to work in progress.

B. DUTIES AND TASKS

B1. Primary Duties 

Provides effective prosecution and disposal of matters in the Magistrate’s Court and the High Court.
Assists in the preparation of submissions for appearances in the Court of Appeal to defend appeals.
Examines depositions and files for Sufficiency Hearings and the subsequent preparation of Indictment for the Criminal Assizes.
Examines investigation files from the police, customs and other agencies and rendering of advice on the pursuit of prosecution of matters.
Represents the Crown in the Magistrate’s Courts, High Court and the Court of Appeal.

B2. Secondary Duties

Reviews Police investigation files for indictable cases including sexual offences, grievous harm, dangerous harm, manslaughter, murder, robbery, stealing, Fraud and related offences and some summary matters.
Provides legal advice to the Police in relation to matters being investigated and prosecuted by the police.
Prepares and drafts indictments in respect of indictable cases filed in the High Court for approval by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Interviews witnesses in cases being prosecuted at the Magistrate’s Court and High Court.
Represents the Crown in the Magistrate’s Courts, High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Monitors the progress of cases and prepares reports on cases conducted. 
Advises Government departments on legal matters of a criminal nature.
Participates in case conferences.
Attends and participates in workshops, seminars and conferences organized by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Court of Appeal, Government Ministries, and other local, regional and international agencies.
Engages in research for criminal cases to be adjudicated in the Magistrate’s Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.
Performs any other related duties as delegated by the Director of Public Prosecutions from time to time.

C. CONDITIONS

Accommodation is provided in a general administrative office.
Institutional support will be provided through appropriate Civil Service Regulations, Statutory Instruments, Collective Agreements and Departmental Guidelines.
Opportunities exist for personal development and career advancement through general and specialized in-service and external training.
Required to maintain confidentiality and integrity.
Required to maintain a motor vehicle for the effective performance of duties.
Functions in a scheduled travelling post and will receive basic travel allowance in accordance with approval rates.
Performance will be evaluated twice yearly in keeping with the Public Service Regulations.
Salary is in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated by Government in the Annual Estimates/ Classification of Post. 
A Legal Officer’s allowance and telephone allowance will be provided in accordance with contractual agreement/approved rates.
Vacation Leave will be provided in accordance with Public Service Rules and Regulations.
Appointment is contractual.
The post is non-pensionable.

D. EVALUATION METHOD

Work performance will be evaluated on the basis of:

Timely implementation and completion of duties and assigned tasks.
Ability to complete work in a timely manner and within task deadline.
Quantity and quality of work achieved within a given time period.
Quality of presentation of cases and/or reports.
Competence and quality of advice provided.
Application and proven knowledge of existing laws and regulations. 
Compliance with departmental, legal and constitutional guidelines and standard operating procedures.
Compliance with Judicial and Legal Services Rules and Regulations.

E. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Thorough working knowledge of and ability to interpret the Laws of Saint Lucia.
Decisiveness, soundness of judgment and clarity of presentation.
Ability to draft indictments and prepare legal submissions.
Good advocacy skills.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills. 
Computer literacy.
Working knowledge of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations, Standard Operation Procedures, Staff Orders, the Finance (Administration) Act, Financial Regulations, Procurement and Stores Regulations, Collective Agreements and Departmental Guidelines.

F. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Master of Laws Degree plus a Certificate in Legal Education plus two (2) years’ work experience in legal practice.

OR

Bachelor of Laws Degree plus a Certificate in Legal Education plus three (3) years’ work experience in legal practice.

G. SALARY AND ALLOWANCES

Tax free salary at the rate of sixty-nine thousand seven hundred eighty-nine dollars and ninety-six cents ($69, 789.96) (Grade 15 step I) per annum;
Travel Allowance at the rate of seven thousand six hundred and twenty dollars ($7, 620.00) per annum. (Officer must own and maintain a vehicle in order to receive this allowance);
Legal Officer’s Allowance at the rate of twelve thousand dollars ($12, 000.00) per annum;
Telephone Allowance at the rate of two hundred and ninety-one ($291.00) dollars per annum;
Twenty-three (23) days of vacation leave per annum;
Twenty-five percent (25%) gratuity of basic salary (not including allowances) will be paid on satisfactory completion of the contract.  

Application Cover letter, along with two written references and certified copies of documents pertaining to qualifications, should be addressed to:

The Secretary 

Judicial and Legal Services Commission

2nd Floor, Heraldine Rock Building

The Waterfront

Castries

Saint Lucia, W.I. 

To reach her no later than Tuesday, 6th February 2024.

NB: Applications may also be submitted via email to jlsc@eccourts.org.  Unsuitable candidates will not be acknowledged.  Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications and experience may not be considered for an interview.  Only the candidates with the best qualifications and experience will be shortlisted for interview. 

The post VACANCY NOTICE – Crown Counsel I first appeared on SKNIS.