Law Researcher

About

The Office of the Chief Justice seeks a Law Researcher on a 12-month contract in Mmabatho. Applicants require an LLB at NQF level 8 with 480 credits and at least three years' relevant law-research or judicial-support experience. Job grade: Level 09 Salary: R487 197 – R573 897 per annum, plus 37% in lieu of benefits Terms of service: 12 Months Contract Reference: 2026/166/OCJ Duty station: North West Division of The High Court: Mmabatho

How to apply

Submit a fully completed, signed and initialled new Z83 form and recent comprehensive CV only, quoting reference 2026/166/OCJ, via email to 2026/166/OCJ@judiciary.org.za.

Responsibilities

• Provide support with legal research on various legal issues, statutes, rules, regulations, and case law.
• Analyse and apply complex legal principles and provide summaries to the judges.
• Provide research support to judges in the preparation of hearings and trials.
• Carry out research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal issues, as requested by a Judge.
• Provide analysis through studying all the relevant material.
• Study all the relevant material and provide a thorough analysis thereof.
• Provide support to the judges with legal arguments analysis submitted by litigants, evaluate merits of each argument.
• Research supporting and opposing case law (precedent) and provide recommendations to the judges.
• Review legal issues, arguments, and relevant case law in the form of legal memos.
• Prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the legal research.
• Provide support to judges in reviewing and proofreading draft judgment(s) to ensure clarity and accuracy.
• Proofread all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar.
• Quality assure all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness and accuracy.
• Correct mistakes (typos) with the help of track changes so that judges can accept or decline any proposed changes.
• Quality assure the maintenance of knowledge of recent legal developments, new legislation, and relevant case law.

Qualifications

• Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree at NQF level 8 with 480 credits as recognised by SAQA.
• A minimum of three (3) years in the relevant field (law research/judicial support).
• Superior court or litigation experience and a valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage.
• Knowledge and skills: Basic Conditions of Employment Act and related labour laws & Departmental policies, knowledge of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, Labour and Labour Appeal Court Rules and Practice Manual, Employment Equity Act, Practice Manual of the Court, sound understanding of South Afri
• Skilled in communication (verbal and written), problem solving and decision-making, excellent research and analytical skills, report writing and editing skills, problem solving, Financial Management, strategic skills, analytical skills, presentation, planning and organising including computer litera