The New South Wales Bar Association is a professional association for practising barristers and associate members, such as clerks and judges. We promote the public good in relation to justice and the provision of legal services. This is achieved by promoting and maintaining the highest standards of excellence among local practising barristers.

The Bar Council is the Association’s governing body, comprised of 21 barristers elected by the membership. The Bar Council is the designated local regulatory authority for a range of functions under the Legal Profession Uniform Law. The Bar Council is assisted by specialist committees comprised of barrister-volunteers, who offer their skills and expertise for the benefit of the public and the profession. Committees regularly advise and assist the Bar Council in matters of law reform and public affairs, including responding to matters of public policy and the administration of justice.

About the Role

The Association is committed to Reconciliation with First Nations peoples and to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability.

We are offering a part-time (2 days per week) opportunity for a Senior Paralegal within the New South Wales Bar Association’s Legal Assistance Referral Scheme (LARS).

The successful applicant will be supervised by the Managing Solicitor of LARS, job share with our current Senior Paralegal and work closely with our two part-time First Nations Paralegals.

LARS facilitates requests for pro bono assistance from the legal assistance sector or directly from Judges or Tribunal Members. Unrepresented litigants are then referred to a barrister for advice, assistance and representation. Barristers who accept referrals provide an essential service to the Courts and to the community. We also oversee the Duty Barrister Scheme, which helps unrepresented litigants in criminal and civil proceedings in the Local Court.

The Senior Paralegal’s primary responsibilities will involve coordinating the assessment and processing of all LARS requests for assistance and referrals. LARS provides assistance in Criminal, Civil, Family Law, Environmental and Administrative proceedings. Paralegals will gain experience in diverse areas of law.

Responsibilities include:

1. Coordinate the review and assessment of applications for Legal Assistance
2. Drafting of advertisements of matters for legal assistance
3. Receiving and handling general enquiries relating to LARS
4. Administering all matters relating to the Duty Barrister Scheme, primarily the compilation of the Duty Barristers Roster which involves personal and electronic contact with the barristers
5. Maintaining the Duty Barrister room
6. Maintaining the integrity of the Legal Assistance Scheme’s database and administrative systems.
7. Assisting the Manager of LARS with designing and updating brochures and forms for all aspects of the LARS Scheme.
8. Other duties as required by the Executive Director and the Managing Solicitor, Legal Assistance

about you

The successful applicant will have the following essential skills and aptitudes:

• Effective research and analytical skills.
• Good communication and organisational skills and an ability to work collaboratively.
• A commitment to high work standards and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to meet deadlines and ensure tasks are completed on time.
• Ability to work in a small team environment and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Relevant experience in a Paralegal or other legal role is desirable but not essential.
• Experience in using Actionstep is desirable.

The New South Wales Bar Association supports flexible working practices. We are located in the CBD and work from home for part of the week.

It is envisaged that the position will commence as soon as possible.

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, please click Apply Now to submit your application.

All other enquiries are very welcome and may be directed to [email protected], using the subject line: Senior Paralegal - Legal Assistance Referral Scheme enquiry via EthicalJobs.

The New South Wales Bar Association (Association) values your privacy and is committed to handling personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Any personal information that you provide during the recruitment process is collected by the Association for the purpose of considering your application for employment. This may include using and disclosing your personal information (and that of any referees or others mentioned in your application) to conduct reference or other pre-employment checks. If you choose not to provide your personal information to us, we may not be able to process your application.

For further information on how the Association collects, stores, uses and discloses personal information, and how an individual may obtain access to and where necessary correct their personal information, please see the Association’s Privacy Policy available here. The Policy also contains information about how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how the Association will deal with any such complaint.

By submitting an application for this role, you are consenting to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as described above.