Legal Adviser (Part-time, Belfast)

Legal Adviser, Examiner of Statutory Rules

Salary range: £69,032 (pro rata)

Grade: Assembly Grade 4

Directorate: Legal, Governance and Research Services

Location: Parliament Buildings, Belfast

Contract: Part-time - 18.5 hours per week

Job Purpose

The Office of the Examiner of Statutory Rules carries out scrutiny of delegated legislation and of delegated powers in primary legislation for the Northern Ireland Assembly. Legal Advisers in the Office of the Examiner of Statutory Rules provide specialist legal advice to support the discharge of this function.

Legal Advisers provide objective legal advice, independent of government, to support the Assembly in its scrutiny and legislative roles. They advise the Examiner of Statutory Rules and the Committees of the Assembly in relation to delegated legislation before the Assembly, on relevant technical and human rights law, and in relation to relevant parliamentary procedure.

Job Description

• Provide comprehensive, authoritative, objective, and timely legal advice to the Examiner of Statutory Rules and to the Committees of the Assembly in relation to:
  
  
  
  • delegated legislation
  
  
  • the exercise of delegated powers
  
  
  • matters of public law
  
  
  • matters of constitutional law
  
  
  • human rights law
  
  
  • the Windsor Framework
  
  
  • parliamentary procedure
  
  
  • matters concerning statutory interpretation
  
  
  
  


• Provide legal advice to the Director of Legal, Governance and Research Services, and to the Examiner of Statutory Rules.


• Conduct legal research, including using electronic and other resources to provide authoritative advice, at short notice, on unfamiliar areas of law.


• Attend the Committees of the Assembly to deliver legal advice.


• Maintain membership of the relevant professional body (the Bar of Northern Ireland or the Law Society of Northern Ireland), undertake sufficient and relevant training, and act in accordance with the applicable code of conduct in the discharge of your duties.


• Develop and maintain effective relationships with senior staff and political actors in the Assembly and colleagues in other legislatures.


• Regularly participate in or lead teams to deliver legislation or corporate and organisational objectives.


• Comply with all of the Assembly Commission's staff policies and procedures including the Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies.


• Manage information and records in accordance with established policies and statutory requirements.


• Carry out such other duties as the Assembly Commission reasonably requires of you.

Essential Criteria

1. Hold a first or bachelor's degree of minimum 2.2 classification (or equivalent).


2. Be entitled to practice in Northern Ireland as a barrister or solicitor.


3. Have at least four years' post-qualification experience ('PQE') in law to include evidence of the following:
   
   
   
   • (a) interpreting, and providing legal advice in relation to, legislation;
   
   
   • (b) providing legal advice in relation to human rights;
   
   
   • (c) demonstrating legal analytical ability and sound judgement in the resolution of complex legal problems; and
   
   
   • (d) communicating with clients with clarity and confidence.
   
   
   
   


4. Provide evidence of a knowledge of constitutional, administrative and human rights law in Northern Ireland.