Te Haeata/The Opportunity
The Public Defence Service (PDS) is looking a criminal lawyer who has who has a strong desire to develop their career in the specialist area of criminal advocacy. The successful candidate will join the Manukau PDS team.
You will need to be eligible for a practising certificate and interested in criminal law.
This role would suit civil lawyers looking for a change, or those with previous experience as a registrar, police prosecutor, working for a barrister, community law centre, government department etc.
You will find challenge and satisfaction with a varied caseload, including trials and appearances. You will have expert and talented colleagues around who will mentor you and support your development to the next level of your career. The PDS is well known for its comprehensive professional development programme in criminal litigation and is considered an excellent training ground and full of opportunities for a successful legal career.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

To be successful you must:

• Be admitted to the New Zealand Bar, or will be within the next two months.
• Be passionate about criminal justice issues.
• Be qualified to practice law in New Zealand.

You will be developing an ability to build credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community. As an important member of a close-knit team you will enjoy exchanging ideas and brainstorming - and providing support and light relief when required. You will have empathy and the ability to relate to a wide range of people. This is a challenging but truly satisfying job, and our lawyers love what they do.

Mō mātou/About us
At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to working together for a fair and safe Aotearoa.
The PDS is part of the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector. The Ministry provides centralised business services, infrastructure, and support to the work of the PDS.
The Public Defence Service (PDS) provides high quality legal advice and representation in a full range of criminal cases. Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.
Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities, and religions.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here
“It's hard to capture what the PDS junior lawyer experience is in one sentence because it is too many things. It is steep learning curves, it is constant humour, it is embracing fast pace and thinking on your feet, it is gaining the confidence to back yourself in difficult situations while knowing you can always rely on the support of your colleagues when you need it, and (most of all) it is growing through experience as a lawyer and as a person.” Grace, Supervised Provider

We will provide you with:

• Access to a well-designed and embedded national training programme,
• Professional development and opportunities to attend conferences
• A professional supervision programme
• Flexible working options
• A laptop and mobile phone

See our full range of benefits here.

Utu ā-tau/Salary
The appointing salary for this role will be between $65,015 and $83,498 based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/How to Apply
To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.
Applications close on 22 September; however, we will be reviewing CV's as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.
If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz
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