Ministry of Law and Justice
External Circular No. 6 of 2025
Ref: LCA/CIR/4
Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following vacant position tenable at the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Department: Criminal
Job Title: Senior Crown Counsel
Station: Mohale’s Hoek
Responsible to: Chief Attorney (Southern Region)
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the Director, the Senior Crown Counsel is responsible for representing Government in the prosecution of criminal cases, and liaising with Police Investigators to analyze evidentiary material for prosecution in Court.
Main Duties
1. Preparation of Cases – Pre-Trial Stage
- Study Police dockets in serious homicide cases to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed in Court.
- Advise the Director of Public Prosecutions in aggravated homicide cases on whether they may be tried summarily in the High Court without a Preparatory Examination.
- Issue directives on Police dockets in aggravated homicide cases to determine whether a Preparatory Examination may be instituted.
- Assess whether Preparatory Examination proceedings disclose indictable offences in the Subordinate Court to determine appropriate charges.
- Draft indictments and conduct criminal proceedings in the High Court in complex cases (e.g. ritual murder, sedition, internal security, armed robbery).
- Draft charge sheets in serious economic cases for prosecution by Public Prosecutors in the Subordinate Courts.
- Prepare cases for Court, including gathering additional evidence, interviewing potential Crown witnesses, examining and cross-examining witnesses.
2. The Trial and Other Court Appearances
- Appear in the High Court in Motion and Application proceedings in serious cases (internal security, armed robbery, ritual murder, sedition, homicide, economic crimes).
- Appear in opposed bail applications in the High Court in the above categories of cases.
- Handle appeals and criminal reviews from the Subordinate Courts in the High Court.
- Appear in the High Court and Court of Appeal in aggravated homicide and complex economic cases.
3. Supervision of Professional Staff
- Orient newly appointed staff to adapt to the job.
- Guide professional staff on case-handling techniques to improve efficiency.
- Recommend training for Subordinate staff to keep abreast of legal developments.
- Appraise Subordinate staff performance and provide support where necessary.
- Perform other lawful duties as assigned from time to time.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Qualifications:
- Master of Laws (LLM), with at least 1 year of experience as a Crown Counsel or Prosecutor, plus admission as Barrister, Solicitor, or Advocate in the Commonwealth.
OR - Bachelor of Laws (LLB), with at least 2 years of experience as a Crown Counsel or Prosecutor, plus admission as Barrister, Solicitor, or Advocate in the Commonwealth.
Responsibilities
- Supervision: Senior Crown Counsel may be given regional responsibility to supervise Chief Public Prosecutors.
- Assignments: Periodic assignments to districts/regions for directives, guidance, and case prosecutions.
- Property: Accountable for own errors in handling cases (e.g. delays or unnecessary expenses due to non-attendance), as well as errors committed by Crown Counsel under supervision, which may impact the reputation of the Office of Public Prosecutions.
Complexity
- Decision-making: Authority to decide whether to proceed with cases (e.g. based on sufficiency of evidence), whether to defend opposed bail applications, and administrative decisions concerning Subordinate staff.
- Problem-solving: Handle case-handling issues by Subordinates, welfare of witnesses (accommodation, transport), and interpersonal problems.
- Supervision received: Works independently, except in sensitive matters requiring consultation with the Chief Attorney.
Contacts
- Professional staff for consultations.
- Police Investigators for directives and case progress.
- Defense Counsel members of the Bar.
- Crown witnesses.
- Registrar’s Office on case administration matters.
Effort Required
- Mental Effort: Very high, especially when studying fraud cases, accident reports, legal precedents, and assessing sufficiency of evidence.
- Physical Effort: Frequent standing during trial proceedings.
- Emotional Effort: Requires patience and tact due to:
- Lengthy/irrelevant cross-examinations by Defense Counsel.
- Judicial interference during proceedings.
- Unreliable witnesses.
- Complex documentary evidence (fraud, forgery, bribery).
- Emotional strain from evidence presented, unexpected acquittals/convictions, or frequent postponements of cases.
Application Guidelines
Applications should be made on the relevant forms:
- G.P. 103 for job seekers.
- G.P. 104 for serving officers.
Applications must include:
- Certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts.
- Certified copy of National Identity Document (ID).
Addressed to:
The Principal Secretary
Ministry of Law and Justice
P.O. Box 33
Maseru 100
OR
Hand deliver to one of the following:
- Law Office: Human Resources Office, Qhobosheaneng Office Complex, Phase 1, Room 065B
- Justice Office: Human Resources Office, Old Justice Building, Parliamentary Road (Opposite Tourist Board and DCEO)
- Government Printing: Human Resources Office, Industrial Area Station
Closing Date: 26th September 2025