Legal Research Officer

About the role

The Legal Research Officer performs work pertaining to litigation and research into the laws and legal issues affecting the operations of the Department. The officer prepares legal documents and develops and maintains a repository of documents on legal matters. Depending on the assignment, the officer may carry out the full range or part of the duties listed.

Key responsibilities

• Research legal issues relating to the Department's operations and prepare written opinions, working papers and reports.
• Review legal documents, instruments and other material, identify issues and propose amendments.
• Prepare briefs and preliminary drafts of legislative legal material for the Department's portfolio.
• Maintain an up-to-date repository of laws, judgements, contract precedents and related material.
• Contribute to the review and formulation of recommendations to amend legislation.
• Assist in drafting Cabinet-Ministerial notes on legal matters and legal documents such as contracts, agreements, opinions, briefs and court documents, as well as memoranda and letters.
• Represent the Department on committees and at meetings, conferences and workshops.
• Liaise with other divisions and external agencies and copy and collate documents while maintaining departmental files.
• Comply with Health, Safety and Environmental regulations at National Quarries Company Limited (NQCL).
• Perform other related tasks as directed by the Corporate Legal Officer.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and a Legal Education Certificate (LEC).
• At least two years of post-call experience in legal research.

Required skills

• Knowledge of legal research principles and techniques, legal drafting and court practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago and court procedures.
• Ability to conduct complex legal research, analyse and interpret law, and present facts and the law orally and in writing.
• Confidentiality and ability to build effective working relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.