MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
EXTERNAL CIRCULAR NO. 1 OF 2026
REF: LCMCIWI
RE-ADVERTISEMENT
Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following vacant position tenable at the Ministry of Law and Justice.
POSITION DETAILS
- Department: Criminal
- Job Title: Senior Crown Counsel (Mokhotlong)
- Reports To: Chief Attorney
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 in analysing evidentiary material for prosecution in Court.
MAIN DUTIES
1. Preparation of Cases at the Pre-Trial Stage
- Studies Police dockets in serious homicide cases to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed in Court.
- Advises the Director of Public Prosecutions in aggravated homicide cases to determine whether matters may be tried summarily in the High Court without a Preparatory Examination.
- Issues directives on Police dockets in aggravated homicide cases to determine whether a Preparatory Examination may be instituted.
- Determines whether Preparatory Examination proceedings disclose offences chargeable or indictable in the Subordinate Court in order to decide which offence to proceed with against a suspect.
- Draws up indictments and conducts criminal proceedings in the High Court in complex cases, including ritual murder, sedition, internal security, and armed robbery.
- Draws up charge sheets in serious economic cases chargeable in the Subordinate Courts for prosecution by Public Prosecutors.
- Prepares cases for Court, including acquisition of additional evidence and interviewing potential Crown witnesses; examines and cross-examines witnesses in order to address the Court on conviction.
2. Trial and Other Court Appearances
- Appears in the High Court in Motion and Application proceedings in serious cases, including internal security, armed robbery, ritual murder, sedition, serious homicide cases, and serious economic crimes.
- Appears in the High Court in opposed bail applications in cases involving internal security, armed robbery, ritual murder, sedition, serious homicide cases, and serious economic crimes.
- Appears in criminal reviews emanating from the Subordinate Court to the High Court.
- Appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal in aggravated homicide cases, including internal security, armed robbery, ritual murder, sedition, serious homicide cases, and serious economic crimes.
3. Supervision of Professional Staff
- Orientates newly appointed staff for adaptation into the job.
- Guides professional staff on techniques of handling cases to enable effective and efficient discharge of duties.
- Recommends training of subordinate staff to keep them abreast of new legal developments.
- Appraises subordinate staff to assess performance and provide assistance where necessary.
- Performs any other duties lawfully assigned from time to time.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
- Master of Laws (LLM) with one (1) year experience as a Crown Counsel or Prosecutor and admission as Barrister, Solicitor, or Advocate in the Commonwealth;
OR - Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with two (2) years’ experience as a Crown Counsel or Prosecutor and admission as Barrister, Solicitor, or Advocate in the Commonwealth.
RESPONSIBILITY
(a) Responsibility for Work of Others
- Assigned regional responsibility to supervise the work of Chief Public Prosecutors.
- Periodic assignment of Crown Counsel to districts or regions for directives, guidance, and prosecution of cases.
(b) Responsibility for Property
- Responsible for own errors committed in handling cases, such as failure to attend to matters resulting in delays and expenses to witnesses.
- Answerable for errors committed by Crown Counsel that may impact the reputation of the Office of Public Prosecutions.
COMPLEXITY
Authority for Decision-Making
- Authority to decide whether to proceed with a case within defined parameters, including insufficiency of evidence or whether to defend an opposed bail application.
- Makes administrative decisions relating to subordinate staff.
PROBLEM SOLVING
- Solves problems relating to the manner in which cases are handled by subordinates.
- Resolves issues relating to the welfare of witnesses, including accommodation and transport.
- Addresses interpersonal problems.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
- Works independently except in sensitive matters requiring close consultation with the Chief Attorney.
CONTACTS
The incumbent is required to make contact with:
- All members of professional staff for consultations.
- Police Investigators to issue directives or follow up on matters under investigation or before Court.
- Members of the Bar acting as Defence Counsel.
- Witnesses called for Crown cases.
- The Office of the Registrar on matters relating to cases.
EFFORT
(a) Mental Effort
- Very high mental effort required when studying complex documents such as fraud case files, accident reports, maps from Police offices, law books, and reported cases, and when assessing sufficiency of available evidence.
(b) Physical Effort
- Requires frequent standing while leading and presenting evidence in Court.
(c) Emotional Effort
- Requires patience, tolerance, and tact due to:
- Lengthy and irrelevant cross-examination by Defence Counsel.
- Frequent interference by judicial officers during proceedings.
- Unreliable witnesses.
- Leading documentary evidence in complex trials such as fraud, theft by false pretences, forgery, uttering, and bribery cases.
- Emotional impact may also arise from the nature of evidence presented and unexpected acquittals or convictions.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications on relevant forms:
- G.P. 103 – for job seekers
- G.P. 104 – for serving officers
Applications must be accompanied by certified copies of:
- Educational certificates
- Transcripts
- National Identity Document (ID)
Applications should be addressed to:
The Principal Secretary
Ministry of Law and Justice
P.O. Box 33
MASERU 100
OR
Be hand delivered to:
Human Resource Office, Justice Administration Headquarters
OR
Qhobosheaneng Office Complex
Phase I, Room 065 B
Please note: All applications must be accompanied by a certified copy of a national ID.
Closing Date: Not later than 12th February 2026