Chief Magistrate

Chief Magistrate

St Helena, South Atlantic

3 years FTC commencing March 2017

Package circa £90k - salary taxable in St Helena plus other non-taxable allowances

In this vital role you will maintain and improve the quality and human rights compliance of the administration of justice.

A sub-tropical island of spectacular and beautiful landscapes in the South Atlantic with a warm and friendly population of 4,500, St Helena is a self-governing overseas territory of the UK. St Helena is expecting to have scheduled, commercial air access in future. St Helena is the largest of of the United Kingdom Overseas Territorial Grouping of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; the legal systems are based on English law. 

The locally-constituted Magistrates’ Court has criminal jurisdiction where the maximum sentence does not exceed 14 years and civil jurisdiction is to £5,000 in value (£20,000 when the Chief Magistrate is sitting). The Magistrates’ Court has summary sentencing powers of 18 months imprisonment ( 5 years imprisonment when the Chief Magistrate is sitting).Frequency of sittings varies so you will also be appointed to a number of other offices and act as a trainer and mentor to the Lay Justices, the Clerk of the Peace and other Judicial Services staff. You will sit in the Magistrates’ Court, usually with at least one JP, but with power to sit alone. As Chief Coroner you will train the qualified and lay Coroners

You will be the Registrar of Lands, training and mentoring those managing the Registry, the Labour Regulating Authority, (Employment Tribunal), President of the Land Development Appeals Tribunal, President of the Media Commission and a Trustee of the Legal Assistance Fund. You must convene and chair meetings of the Court Users’ Group, the Immigration Appeal Court and the Mental Health Tribunal and be the Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation.

Other responsibilities will be to encourage mediation and alternative dispute resolution, supervise the Registrar of Companies, participate on ad hoc Commissions of Enquiry and you will also be The Magistrate and Chief Coroner of Ascension Island.

Eligible for appointment to judicial office you must be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister/advocate who is  eligible for appointment to judicial office in the United Kingdom or a commonwealth, jurisdiction with substantial experience of both civil and criminal work including advocacy. With fluent written and spoken English and good IT skills, you will have an aptitude for rational and objective analysis.

We offer an extensive benefits package with 30 days leave pa and which will include a contribution to pension, plus generous income tax-free allowances for relocation, rent and utilities. 

Applications must be sent and received by 6 February 2017.

Interviews will be held in London.