Jobs · Gauteng · Office of the Chief Justice
Senior Law ResearcherLand Court: Randburg
Closes Friday 27 November 2026
The circular is the only authoritative source. Open the PDF at page 56 (opens in new tab)
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AI summary — always check the official circular
Senior law researcher at the Land Court in Randburg. Supports judges with legal research and judgments, and supervises staff. Suits qualified lawyers with several years of legal experience.
- Main duties: research the law for judges, summarise arguments and evidence, and check judgments, speeches and articles for accuracy.
- Also supervises staff: allocates work, checks quality, manages leave, performance and discipline, and arranges training.
- Must have an LLB degree (NQF level 8, 480 credits) recognised by SAQA.
- Must have at least three years' experience in the field, with one year at supervisory level. Completed articles and a valid driver's licence are an added advantage.
- Knowledge of legal databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Jutastat), the Employment Equity Act, and the Court's Practice Manual is required.
Generated by claude-haiku-5-5 from the text below; it may be wrong or incomplete. Original wording, page 56 (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’ experience in the relevant field of which one (1) year should be at supervisory level.
- Completed articles and a valid driver’s license will serve as added advantage.
- Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of Electronic Information Resources and online retrieval (Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Jutastat), general Legal Knowledge, knowledge of operating DCRS/CRT machine, 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 Computer literacy skills (MS off, research skills, report writing and editing skills, communication skills (written and Verbal), problem analysis and solving skills, planning and organising, decision-making, time management, creative and analytical skills.
Duties
- Consult with the judiciary in chambers and take instructions, peruse all the material lodged, identify the issue and initiate appropriate research, provide analytical summary of counsels’ arguments or written evidence in the court record, delegate instructions to the researchers, conduct research on electronic databases as per the Judges’ request, ensure that all research provided to Judges is comprehensive and accurate.
- Ensure there are no stylistic, syntactical or grammatical errors, ensure Judgments conform to the accepted writing Style Guide of each Court, ensure preparation of a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the research, ensure all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar, double-check all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness.
- Draft speeches, conference papers and legal articles, ensure that all speeches, conference papers and articles are thoroughly researched, are accurate and of the highest quality, ensure secretariat functions including Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committee (PEEC) meetings are being effectively performed, ensure the judiciary of the Division is up to date on recent developments in case law, practice directives and legislation, keep abreast of all the landmark judgments / recent developments in the law, changes in legislation and regulations, ensure researchers attend to publisher related queries (e.g.
- Juta, Lexis and Saflii).
- Ensure general supervision of employees, allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered by officials, manage leave of staff, advise and lead supervisees with regard to all aspects of the work, manage performance, conduct and discipline of employees, ensure that all employees are trained and developed to be able to deliver work of the required standard efficiently and effectively, develop, implement and monitor work systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective functioning, address enquiries and provide advice and guidance on asset allocation and control.
How to apply
Applications can be sent via email to 2026/163/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
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Enquiries
Technical Related Enquiries: Ms N Mhlambi Tel No: (010) 493 6316 HR Related Enquiries: Ms T Mbalekwa Tel No: (010) 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 56 · open the PDF (opens in new tab)
POST 41/98: SENIOR LAW RESEARCHER REF NO: 2026/163/OCJ SALARY: R605 742 – R713 535 per annum (Level 10). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement. CENTRE: Land Court: Randburg 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’ experience in the relevant field of which one (1) year should be at supervisory level. Completed articles and a valid driver’s license will serve as added advantage. Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge of Electronic Information Resources and online retrieval (Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Jutastat), general Legal Knowledge, knowledge of operating DCRS/CRT machine, 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 Computer literacy skills (MS off, research skills, report writing and editing skills, communication skills (written and Verbal), problem analysis and solving skills, planning and organising, decision-making, time management, creative and analytical skills. DUTIES: Consult with the judiciary in chambers and take instructions, peruse all the material lodged, identify the issue and initiate appropriate research, provide analytical summary of counsels’ arguments or written evidence in the court record, delegate instructions to the researchers, conduct research on electronic databases as per the Judges’ request, ensure that all research provided to Judges is comprehensive and accurate. Ensure there are no stylistic, syntactical or grammatical errors, ensure Judgments conform to the accepted writing Style Guide of each Court, ensure preparation of a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the research, ensure all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar, double-check all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness. Draft speeches, conference papers and legal articles, ensure that all speeches, conference papers and articles are thoroughly researched, are accurate and of the highest quality, ensure secretariat functions including Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committee (PEEC) meetings are being effectively performed, ensure the judiciary of the Division is up to date on recent developments in case law, practice directives and legislation, keep abreast of all the landmark judgments / recent developments in the law, changes in legislation and regulations, ensure researchers attend to publisher related queries (e.g. Juta, Lexis and Saflii). Ensure general supervision of employees, allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered by officials, manage leave of staff, advise and lead supervisees with regard to all aspects of the work, manage performance, conduct and discipline of employees, ensure that all employees are trained and developed to be able to deliver work of the required standard efficiently and effectively, develop, implement and monitor work systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective functioning, address enquiries and provide advice and guidance on asset allocation and control. ENQUIRIES: Technical Related Enquiries: Ms N Mhlambi Tel No: (010) 493 6316 HR Related Enquiries: Ms T Mbalekwa Tel No: (010) 494 8515 APPLICATIONS: Applications can be sent via email to 2026/163/OCJ@judiciary.org.za NOTE: The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.