Crown Counsel

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Crown Counsel 

LOCATION: Ascension Island

TEAM: Attorney General’s Chambers

REPORTS TO: Attorney General of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

JOB PURPOSE: To take a full and active role in ensuring the good governance of Ascension Island by the provision of a full range of legal services to the Ascension Island Government (AIG) and active participation in the Government’s Senior Management Team.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general supervision and instructions of the Attorney General in accordance with section 150(4) of the Constitution of Ascension Island to:

1. Provide day-to-day legal advice to the AIG on the full range of legal and policy issues pertinent to a small British Overseas Territory.
2. Support the Government’s Directorates to achieve their objectives through the provision of strategic legal advice.
3. Contribute to the good governance of the island by taking a proactive approach to the identification, mitigation and management of legal risks, and by working with colleague to find legal solutions to other risks.
4. Provide legal support for the Government’s legislative agenda, in particular by providing legal advice on policy development, assisting with stakeholder engagement, liaising with external lawyers on legislative drafting (with the opportunity to draft secondary legislation) and supporting post-legislative implementation.
5. Be available for consultation by the Island Council, including attendance at its Formal and Informal meetings and (and on occasion stand in for the Attorney General)
6. Undertake the drafting and review of contracts / agreements and other legal instruments including, if required, being involved in any negotiation process leading up to the preparation of such contracts / agreements.
7. Conduct civil and employment litigation on behalf of the AIG, instructing external counsel where appropriate.
8. With the support of the Attorney General’s Chambers, act as the prosecuting authority in respect of criminal matters in Ascension.
9. Support the Island’s responsibilities in terms of child safeguarding through membership of the Ascension Island Safeguarding Children Board, providing legal advice as well as assisting in the review and development of policies and procedures.
10. Ensure the provision of a high quality legal service through a process of continuous improvement and a proactive approach to developing new ways of working.
11. Develop and maintain an effective system of knowledge management, ensuring that corporate knowledge is captured and maintained.
12. More widely assist the Attorney General with the discharge of their responsibilities to provide a comprehensive legal service to the AIG, and to perform any duties or undertake any task as may be reasonably requested by the Attorney General in furtherance thereof.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: Knowledge, skills, experience and personal attributes

Essential

1. Solicitor or Barrister (or equivalent in a Commonwealth Jurisdiction) with at least three years post-qualification experience including both litigation and advisory work.
   
2. Experience of managing the competing demands of a busy practice including the ability to prioritise, most likely gained through an in-house role.
   
3. Experience of working proactively and with minimal supervision, taking a lead on key legal issues with confidence and the willingness and proven ability to take a flexible approach and to quickly adapt to new areas of law
   
4. A thorough understanding of public law, with the ability to understand the practical implications of human rights obligations.
   
5. The resilience to operate in a high-profile role in a small, isolated community.
6. The ability to engage with confidence with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels, including external consultants, governmental and legal experts.

Desirable

1.  Experience of working in-house, or in providing legal advice to local, island or UK central government.
2. Experience of advising on policy development and in the drafting of primary and secondary legislation. Experience of employment law and litigation.
3. Some understanding of the operation of public international law, in particular regarding maritime, aviation and environmental matters.
4. Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.

A dynamic proactive style of work is as important to this position as specific competencies. Crown Counsel should be a “self-starter” who can be relied upon to deliver outputs with general supervision from a distance.