JUDICIARY
EXTERNAL CIRCULAR NO. 5 OF 2025
REF: J/CIR/5
Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following vacant positions tenable at the Judiciary:
JOB TITLE: Chief Legal Officer
GRADE: (As per Judiciary structure)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Judicial Administrator
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To oversee the provision of legal advice on matters pertaining to administrative issues, advise Heads of the Courts on matters bearing juristic nature and requiring legal opinion, and oversee the drafting of legal documents and laws governing the institution.
MAIN DUTIES
1. Tenders legal advice to the Registrar and Heads of the Courts
1.1 Provides appropriate legal advice on a diverse range of substantive and procedural questions of law arising in the administrative functioning of the Judiciary as required by operational departments.
1.2 Advises on vigilance matters as referred to Legal Division.
1.3 Assists operational departments in preparing replies to legal notices received.
1.4 Identifies potential areas of compliance vulnerability, risk avoidance and mitigation.
1.5 Develops and implements legal strategies and solutions to problematic issues in consultation with upper management.
1.6 Helps in establishing and maintaining an effective and fully compliant internal control system within local statutes and regulations.
2. Provides legal opinion to departments on legal issues
2.1 Reviews, researches, interprets, and prepares both written and oral opinions on a wide variety of legal issues.
2.2 Renders effective legal assistance in the preparation of legal opinions, studies, reports and correspondence as required from time to time by various Heads of Departments.
2.3 Serves on various Standing Boards, Committees, ad-hoc working groups and task forces as required, to take care of legal niceties in framing of policies.
3. Conducts and coordinates research into a variety of legal issues
3.1 Conducts legal research and analysis to identify important emerging legal issues.
3.2 Apprises operational departments of emerging legal trends from court decisions and tenders advice to avoid unnecessary litigation.
3.3 Identifies, analyses, and reports on important legislative and regulatory developments.
3.4 Coordinates reviews of contracts, laws, and other legal documents; researches legal issues and recommends revisions as necessary.
4. Drafts Legislation
3.1 Coordinates consultations with all relevant ministries/departments.
3.2 Identifies, analyses, and reports on important legislative and regulatory developments.
3.2 Provides drafting instructions to the Law Office.
3.3 Follows up on the drafting of the Bill.
3.4 Drafts letters of concurrence from relevant ministries.
3.5 Checks and approves Cabinet Memoranda.
5. Coordinates drafting of contracts and agreements
4.1 Supervises and oversees the review, negotiation and drafting of major contracts, tender documents and other legal documents as required by operational departments.
4.2 Participates in contract/agreement discussion fora.
4.3 Checks and approves contract/agreement drafts.
6. Coordinates representation of the Judiciary in litigation
5.1 Analyses the nature of cases.
5.2 Provides legal counsel on issues arising from actual or anticipated lawsuits to prevent future litigation.
5.3 Manages external counsel and general litigation; provides input on decisions regarding referring matters to outside counsel and oversees their work where necessary.
5.4 Monitors the contesting of cases in various courts of law and interacts with Lawyers and other Government Law Officers.
5.5 Advises on matters of preferring appeals in superior courts and taking recourse to other legal remedies.
7. Oversees compliance with Court Judgements affecting the Judiciary
6.1 Advises management or directs relevant departments to comply.
6.2 Makes follow-ups to ensure that affected departments comply.
8. Participates in project agreement negotiations (local and international)
7.1 Participates in meetings for discussion of project agreements.
7.2 Provides legal advice thereupon.
7.3 Represents the Judiciary, as appropriate, in various legal proceedings domestically and internationally.
JOB SPECIFICATION
Education and Training
- LLM plus 2 years working experience as Principal Legal Officer / Senior Crown Counsel / legal practitioner at middle management level.
OR - LLB with at least five (5) years working experience as Principal Legal Officer / Senior Crown Counsel / legal practitioner in middle management.
Responsibility for work of others
The incumbent has responsibility for supervising and directing all legal unit staff.
Responsibility for property
The incumbent is responsible for the safekeeping of valuable assets and documents within his/her jurisdiction.
Responsibility for safety of others
This factor is minimal for this job.
COMPLEXITY
The job demands the ability to read comprehensive documents addressing complex issues such as cases, contracts, agreements, etc.
Authority for decision making
The incumbent is responsible for advising Judiciary management and departments on legal matters.
Problem Solving
The incumbent refers to relevant financial rules, the Constitution of Lesotho, Procurement Act, Judicial Service laws and other statutes.
Dexterity
The incumbent advises on legal matters at institutional level. The job requires substantial skill, mental and visual concentration.
Contacts
Regular contact with the Chief Accounting Officer, departmental heads, Law Office and other sectors.
Mental Effort
High mental effort is required, especially when contracts/agreements are discussed. The job involves a lot of reading.
Skills and Competencies
- Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a large corporate or centralized institutional legal office.
- Ability to provide competent legal advice and counsel to senior officials in the Judiciary.
- Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations impacting Judiciary operations.
- Ability to analyse and interpret issues and prepare legal opinions.
- Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels.
- Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends.
- Knowledge of legal research principles and procedures.
- Employee development and performance management skills.
- Negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of contract law.
- Knowledge of the judicial system and procedures.
- Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
- Knowledge of faculty and/or staff hiring procedures.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications on relevant forms (GP 104 for serving officers and GP 103 for job seekers), accompanied by certified copies of educational certificates, transcripts and CVs, should be hand delivered to:
Human Resources Office
High Court
Not later than 12th December 2025