Deputy Associate to Judge Kaur-Bains

Agency Overview
The Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar of the Federal Court, together with officers and staff identified under the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 and the Native Title Act 1993, constitute a single Statutory Agency for the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999.   Employees are engaged to work in support of the following courts or tribunal:  

• Federal Court of Australia, 
• Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (collectively, ‘the FCFCOA’); and
• National Native Title Tribunal.  

Employees are covered by the Federal Court of Australia Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027.

The Federal Court, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) each maintain a distinct statutory identity, with separate functions and judicial independence.

Jurisdiction
This role sits within the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 2).  
The FCFCOA (Division 2) is a federal Court of record and a Court of law and equity established by Parliament as an independent federal Court under Chapter III of the Constitution.
Relevantly, the jurisdiction of the FCFCOA (Division 2) is comprised of general federal law and Fair Work.  The Court’s general federal law jurisdiction includes administrative law, admiralty law, bankruptcy, consumer law, human rights, industrial, intellectual property, migration and privacy. The Court shares this jurisdiction with the Federal Court and, in some cases, state Courts. 
The FCFCOA comprises Australia’s largest Federal Courts.  
The FCFCOA (Division 2) sits in all capital cities, selected major regional centres, and also on circuit to a number of regional locations.

Purpose of Position
This Deputy Associate position is for a vacancy in the Chambers of Judge Kaur-Bains.  
The Deputy Associate is part of a small team who assist the Judge in the day-to-day management of Chambers and Court. This role also assists with the preparation of materials for the Judge and involves undertaking legal research and assisting with judgment preparation as required.  Please note that her Honour sits predominantly in general federal law, not family law.  

Key Responsibilities and Duties

1. Assist in the conduct of Court proceedings, including the transcription of orders, ensuring the orderly conduct of matters and general Courtroom management;
2. Assist her Honour’s Associate in the day-to-day management of Chambers including responding to enquiries and as required, managing the Associate inbox on behalf of the Judge and appropriate correspondence with litigants and their representatives;
3. Undertake legal research as required by the Judge, including identifying relevant legislation, summarising key legal authorities and preparation and maintenance of legal research materials;
4. Assist the Judge and Associate with the management of cases and, as required, enter data into the Court’s case management systems to reflect the outcomes of Court events;
5. Assist with the preparation of matters, which may include the preparation of case summaries, general file maintenance and other tasks as required;
6. Assist the Judge with the preparation and delivery of judgments, which may include undertaking complex legal research as well as editing in line with the Courts’ judgments publication standards;
7. Assist with the general operation of Chambers; and
8. Other duties, as required.

Qualifications
It is mandatory that candidates have completed a qualification in law with a strong academic record.  

Selection Criteria 

1. Well-developed interpersonal skills including tact, discretion, initiative and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with an array of stakeholders including members of the judiciary, the legal profession, the public and other Court staff.
2. Attention to detail.   
3. Ability to undertake legal research (including on-line research) and prepare reports and written correspondence.
4. Demonstrated organisational skills, including the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure and in a team environment.
5. Demonstrated high-level keyboard skills and ability to use relevant software applications including Microsoft Office applications.
6. The ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities and participate in collective work practices.
7. The ability to travel on circuit if required.

Eligibility
Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following: 

1. Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
2. Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
3. Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.

Contact Officer
For more information, please contact Dylan Collingwood, Judicial Services Team Leader, via telephone (02) 9184 5056 or email dylan.collingwood@fcfcoa.gov.au. 

How to apply
To apply, please complete the application form on the Court’s careers portal. 

As part of your application, you will be required to submit a written response to the selection criteria (maximum word limit 1500), a copy of your academic transcript and an example of relevant written work completed in an academic or professional setting.  

Please ensure this document is attached before submitting your application. If you have any issues with applying please email recruitment@fedcourt.gov.au 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.