About LawRight - Court and Tribunal Services

LawRight uses strategic pro bono to deliver free assistance in civil law matters to people in Queensland who cannot afford legal help. LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services (CTS) is a statewide service that assists individuals, primarily self-represented litigants, with proceedings in the:

• District Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal;
• Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia; and
• Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

CTS coordinates pro bono resources to provide unbundled legal assistance, pro bono referrals and mediations, and representation in selected matters. The QCAT office assists with current or potential proceedings in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. We assist with the following types of QCAT matters:

• Reviews of decisions about:
  • Blue Cards
  • Disability Worker Screenings
  • Child Safety Decisions (however, not proceedings in the Childrens Court)
  • Victims Assist Payments
  • State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER)
  • Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Anti-discrimination
• Right to Information and information privacy
• Disciplinary matters for health practitioners
• Guardianship and administration matters; and
• Appeals and reopenings related to the above matters 

Key accountabilities

• Conduct legal casework in the QCAT office, including managing client intake, assessing the prospects of success of matters, providing advice to clients, drafting court documents, and providing support to volunteer lawyers and barristers.
• Support a Senior Lawyer to supervise a paralegal and volunteers within the QCAT office.
• Engage with stakeholders including courts and the judiciary, registry staff, government and community agencies.
• Contribute to research and policy development.

Skills and capabilities

Knowledge of QCAT rules and procedures, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge;

• Experience in the listed practice areas;
• Litigation experience an advantage;
• High level spoken and written communication skills; and
• High level organisational and computer skills.

Although experience with QCAT matters is highly desired, our model is centred around making referrals to barristers and working closely with volunteer solicitors to provide legal assistance services. As a result, the role would suit someone with general litigation knowledge and less specific experience in the areas of laws we assist with. 

Other requirements for the role

• Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland or capable of immediate admission.
• Current unrestricted QLS Practising Certificate (or interstate equivalent) and 2 years post-admission experience preferred, with more junior candidates also encouraged to apply.

Remuneration and benefits

Salary from $99,200 to $104,500 (restricted practising certificate) or starting at $113,500 (unrestricted practising certificate) plus superannuation.

• As LawRight is a public benevolent institution staff are eligible to salary sacrifice a portion of their base salary (currently capped at $30,000) and ‘meal entertainment’ expenses.
• 6 weeks of annual leave per annum plus leave loading as well as additional paid leave during the Christmas closure
• Long service leave available after 6 years of continuous service
• Full time staff work a 36.25 hour week and we offer flexible working arrangements with the ability to work from home on agreed days
• Full-time, permanent contract with option to negotiate flexible working arrangements.

next steps

A position description is attached.

Questions about the role and applications can be directed to [email protected] using the subject line: Lawyer - Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Office enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To submit your application, please click ‘Apply Now’ by the closing date.

LawRight encourages First Nations applicants, people from diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities to apply and seeks to be an inclusive and welcoming employer.