Job Description

• Location – Land and Environment Court of NSW, Sydney CBD
• Employment type – Ongoing Fulltime
• Salary & Grade – Legal Officer VI - $165,865,00 - $169,359.00

Your role

The Senior Deputy Registrar fulfils statutory and delegated judicial functions and assists the Registrar and Director in leading a specialist registry. The role is required to deliver high quality and professional services to Judges, Commissioners, Acting Commissioners and clients of the Land and Environment Court.

The role assists in leading and developing staff and promoting a working environment that values teamwork, ethical behaviour and high performance to achieve quality service delivery outcomes and organisational objectives and rewards innovation and performance.

What you’ll do

• Exercise statutory and delegated quasi-judicial functions to conduct directions hearings, conduct conciliation conferences and mediations and hear and determine complex interlocutory applications by applying the facts to the relevant law and communicating the outcome.

• Assist in managing the Registry on a day-to-day basis ensuring systems and procedures are in place to deliver accurate, timely, effective and high-quality services that meet the Court users’ needs and implement new initiatives and strategies to improve Court systems and processes.
• Provide leadership and motivation to staff and manage the resources of the Registry to deliver a high level of client service in compliance with relevant legislation, the Court’s Act, rules and regulations
• Manage the performance of staff members and direct reports as appropriate and provide procedural assistance and guidance.
• Prepare complex correspondence and deal with complex enquiries, research and interpret legislation, policy and court rules to provide accurate procedural advice and guidance
• Undertake special projects and prepare policies, in consultation with the Registrar, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Court
• Foster good working relationships with the Judges, Commissioners and legal practitioners and provide procedural advice to the Court’s users
• Provide high level operational support to the Registrar to assist with managing the Registry, reporting accountabilities and facilitating management decision making

• Assists in the management the efficient and effective operation of a complex specialist registry and supervises registry staff to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures and provides leadership to registry staff, including the promotion of a collaborative and united workforce

What we’re looking for

• An Australian lawyer with applied experience and proficiency in the law and its underlying principles, particularly in NSW environment and planning law.
• Someone who is familiar with court processes and procedures, who can make complex decisions in a timely manner and clearly explain their reasons (both orally and in written judgments) to parties.
• Someone who works well under pressure, who has a sound work ethic and can effectively manage their caseload.
• Someone who exercises good judgement, who inspires confidence and who is patient, respectful and courteous when interacting with court users and the Court’s staff, Judges, Commissioners.

Download the

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as a detailed resume with the names of at least two referees.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide a certified copy of their law degree, practising certificate and academic transcript, along with two samples of legal writing.

Applications close 17 April 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role please contact Sarah Froh at execsupportlec@justice.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Matthew Oakley via Matthew.oakley@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/