Law Researcher- x2
Job Details
- Position: Law Researcher
- Reference Number: 2026/05/OCJ
- Number of Posts: 2 Posts
- Salary: R487 197 – R573 897 per annum (Level 09)
Performance agreement required - Centre: Free State High Court (Johannesburg seat mentioned)
Job Description
The Law Researcher supports Judges by conducting advanced legal research, analysis, and drafting support. The role involves working directly with judicial officers to prepare judgments, analyse legal arguments, and ensure accuracy of legal documentation.
This is a highly specialised legal research role within the court system requiring strong analytical, writing, and legal interpretation skills.
Responsibilities
1. Legal Research Support
- Conduct legal research on statutes, case law, regulations, and legal issues
- Retrieve legal materials from electronic and hard-copy sources
- Analyse complex legal principles and summarise findings for Judges
- Provide research support for hearings and trials
2. Judicial Support
- Assist Judges in preparing for hearings and trials
- Analyse legal arguments submitted by litigants
- Evaluate merits of legal arguments and case materials
- Provide recommendations based on precedent and legal research
3. Drafting and Documentation
- Draft legal opinions and memoranda
- Prepare comprehensive research reports
- Assist in drafting judgments and legal documents
- Review and proofread judgments for clarity, grammar, and accuracy
4. Quality Assurance
- Verify legal references, citations, and footnotes
- Ensure accuracy of judgments and legal documents
- Correct errors using track changes for judicial review
- Maintain consistency in legal documentation
5. Legal Updates and Knowledge Management
- Monitor legal journals and case law developments
- Keep Judges updated on new legislation and precedents
- Track emerging legal trends and practice directives
- Ensure continuous legal knowledge development
Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) OR
- Four-year recognized legal qualification
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 3 years legal research experience
- Experience in:
- Superior court environment OR
- Litigation practice
Added Advantages
- LLM (Master of Laws) qualification
- Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies
Legal & Analytical Skills
- Strong legal research ability
- Interpretation of statutes and case law
- Legal writing and drafting
- Critical analysis of legal arguments
Technical Skills
- Computer literacy (MS Word, Outlook, Internet)
- Legal research platforms:
- Westlaw
- LexisNexis
- Jutastat
Personal Skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to work under pressure
- Independent working ability
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to integrate information from multiple sources
Communication Skills
- Excellent written communication
- Strong verbal communication
- Report writing and editing skills
- Interpersonal skills
Organisational Skills
- Planning and organising
- Time management
- Ability to manage multiple research tasks