Jobs · North West · Office of the Chief Justice
Law ResearcherNorth West Division of The High Court: Mmabatho
12 Months Contract)
Closes Friday 27 November 2026
The circular is the only authoritative source. Open the PDF at page 58 (opens in new tab)
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A 12-month contract law researcher post at the North West Division of the High Court, Mmabatho. Supports judges with legal research, memos, and checking judgments. Suits people with an LLB and legal r
- Duties include legal research, summaries and analysis for judges, and research support for hearings and trials.
- Also includes writing legal memos, checking judgments and references, and keeping judges up to date on new law.
- Must have an LLB degree at NQF level 8 with 480 credits, recognised by SAQA, and at least three years in law research or judicial support.
- Superior court or litigation experience and a valid driver's licence are an added advantage.
- Based in Mmabatho, North West. Salary is R487 197 to R573 897 per year (Level 09), plus 37% in lieu of benefits.
Generated by claude-haiku-5-5 from the text below; it may be wrong or incomplete. Original wording, page 58 (opens in new tab)
Requirements
- Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree at NQF level 8 with 480 credits as recognised by SAQA.
- A minimum of three (3) years in the relevant field (law research/judicial support).
- Superior court or litigation experience and a valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage.
- Knowledge and skills:
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act and related labour laws & Departmental policies, knowledge of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, Labour and Labour Appeal Court Rules and Practice Manual, Employment Equity Act, Practice Manual of the Court, sound understanding of South African law and judicial system, Interpretation and application of the law and Batho Pele Principles.
- Skilled in communication (verbal and written), problem solving and decision- making, excellent research and analytical skills, report writing and editing skills, problem solving, Financial Management, strategic skills, analytical skills, presentation, planning and organising including computer literacy, (Word, PowerPoint & Excel,).
Duties
Provide support with legal research on various legal issues, statutes, rules, regulations, and case law. analyse and apply complex legal principles and provide summaries to the judges, provide research support to judges in the preparation of hearings and trials, carry out research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal issues, as requested by a Judge, provide support with legal research on various legal issues, statutes, rules, regulations, and case law, analyse and apply complex legal principles and provide summaries to the judges, provide research support to judges in the preparation of hearings and trials, carry out research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal issues, as requested by a Judge, provide analysis through studying all the relevant material, study all the relevant material and provide a thorough analysis thereof, provide support to the judges with legal arguments analysis submitted by litigants, evaluate merits of each argument. Research supporting and opposing case law (precedent) and provide recommendations to the judges, review legal issues, arguments, and relevant case law in the form of legal memos, prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the legal research, provide support to judges in reviewing and proofreading draft judgment(s) to ensure clarity and accuracy, proofread all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar, quality assure all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness and accuracy, correct mistakes (typos) with the help of track changes so that judges can accept or decline any proposed changes, quality assure the maintenance of knowledge of recent legal developments, new legislation, and relevant case law, provide support to the monitoring of legal journals, ensure that judges have access to the latest legal information, keep up breast with recent developments in relevant areas of law, such as legislative changes, new precedents, and emerging legal trends.
How to apply
Applications can be sent via email to 2026/166/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
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Enquiries
Technical Related Enquiries: Ms. L Makula Tel No: (018) 397 7064 HR Related Enquiries: Mr O Sebapatso Tel No: (018) 494 8515
Notes from the department
The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.
As printed in Circular 41 of 2026 · page 58 · open the PDF (opens in new tab)
POST 41/101: LAW RESEARCHER REF NO: 2026/166/OCJ (12 Months Contract) SALARY: R487 197 – R573 897 per annum (Level 09), plus 37% in lieu of benefits. The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement. CENTRE: North West Division of The High Court: Mmabatho REQUIREMENTS: Applicants should be in possession of an LLB Degree at NQF level 8 with 480 credits as recognised by SAQA. A minimum of three (3) years in the relevant field (law research/judicial support). Superior court or litigation experience and a valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage. Knowledge and skills: Basic Conditions of Employment Act and related labour laws & Departmental policies, knowledge of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, Labour and Labour Appeal Court Rules and Practice Manual, Employment Equity Act, Practice Manual of the Court, sound understanding of South African law and judicial system, Interpretation and application of the law and Batho Pele Principles. Skilled in communication (verbal and written), problem solving and decision- making, excellent research and analytical skills, report writing and editing skills, problem solving, Financial Management, strategic skills, analytical skills, presentation, planning and organising including computer literacy, (Word, PowerPoint & Excel,). DUTIES: Provide support with legal research on various legal issues, statutes, rules, regulations, and case law. analyse and apply complex legal principles and provide summaries to the judges, provide research support to judges in the preparation of hearings and trials, carry out research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal issues, as requested by a Judge, provide support with legal research on various legal issues, statutes, rules, regulations, and case law, analyse and apply complex legal principles and provide summaries to the judges, provide research support to judges in the preparation of hearings and trials, carry out research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal issues, as requested by a Judge, provide analysis through studying all the relevant material, study all the relevant material and provide a thorough analysis thereof, provide support to the judges with legal arguments analysis submitted by litigants, evaluate merits of each argument. Research supporting and opposing case law (precedent) and provide recommendations to the judges, review legal issues, arguments, and relevant case law in the form of legal memos, prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the legal research, provide support to judges in reviewing and proofreading draft judgment(s) to ensure clarity and accuracy, proofread all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar, quality assure all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness and accuracy, correct mistakes (typos) with the help of track changes so that judges can accept or decline any proposed changes, quality assure the maintenance of knowledge of recent legal developments, new legislation, and relevant case law, provide support to the monitoring of legal journals, ensure that judges have access to the latest legal information, keep up breast with recent developments in relevant areas of law, such as legislative changes, new precedents, and emerging legal trends. ENQUIRIES: Technical Related Enquiries: Ms. L Makula Tel No: (018) 397 7064 HR Related Enquiries: Mr O Sebapatso Tel No: (018) 494 8515 APPLICATIONS: Applications can be sent via email to 2026/166/OCJ@judiciary.org.za NOTE: The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.