Law Society NT

Deputy Managing Solicitor - Criminal Law Practice - Legal Aid NT

  • Darwin
  • Full time, 2 year duration
  • $136,380 – $152,357 plus Superannuation (salary packaging options available)

Objective:

Under the supervision of the Managing Solicitor and the Associate Director of Crime assist with management and coordination of the Darwin Criminal Law Practice of Legal Aid NT, including the supervision of solicitors and administrative staff. The Deputy Managing Solicitor will also provide high quality legal representation for people charged with criminal offences in Northern Territory courts.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Provide high quality legal advice, advocacy and representation for clients charged with criminal offences in a broad range of criminal law areas, including appearing in the Local Court, Youth Justice Court, Supreme Court and Parole Board hearings as required.
  2. Assist the Managing Solicitor in the day-to-day management of Legal Aid NT’s Darwin Criminal Law Practice, including in allocating casework, supervising and mentoring junior solicitors, Client Support Caseworkers and administrative staff.
  3. Act as the Managing Solicitor of the Criminal Law Practice when required, including during absences.
  4. As a member of the criminal law team, be responsible for a reasonable share of the file work undertaken by the office and assume conduct of those matters which are assigned to you by the Managing Solicitor including a share of the duty lawyer and clinic advice services provided by the office and where requested assist in Legal Aid NT’s community legal education work.
  5. Support the delivery of quality, efficient and effective legal assistance provided by staff in the Darwin Criminal Law Practice by assisting with the implementation and monitoring of practice management procedures, policies and standards.
  6. Develop and maintain relationships with private legal practitioners, the NT DPP, the Commonwealth DPP, the Supreme and Local Courts in the Northern Territory, and other relevant networks to ensure Legal Aid NT remains responsive and proactive in meeting legal needs in the Darwin region.
  7. Ensure compliance with the Legal Profession Act (NT), the Legal Aid Act (NT), the Legal Aid NT Guidelines, the National Partnership Agreement and funding arrangements for the provision of legal services.
  8. Show leadership in fostering, developing, and maintaining professional, ethical, respectful, supportive and safe practices within the Darwin Criminal Law Practice in dealings with clients, colleagues and other agencies.
  9. Promptly report to the Managing Solicitor or the Associate Director of Crime any incidents or conduct involving staff in the Darwin Criminal Law Practice which appear to give rise to any disciplinary action, complaint, grievance, or workers compensation claim or may necessitate notifying Legal Aid NT’s Professional Indemnity or Public Liability Insurer.
  10. Maintain effective file management systems and internal quality assurance procedures consistent with the administrative systems, procedures and policies utilised by Legal Aid NT.
  11. Contribute to policy and law reform proposals relating to criminal law in the Northern Territory as relevant.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

  1. Admission or eligibility for admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia.
  2. Significant experience in the practice of criminal law including advocacy and appellate level experience.
  3. Demonstrated staff and practice management experience, including capacity to supervise and train professional staff, and manage change.
  4. Ability to provide leadership in the provision of legal assistance to disadvantaged people in the criminal justice system.
  5. An understanding of the issues affecting the disproportionate involvement of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system, including a demonstrated empathy and sensitivity to Aboriginal people, history, and culture.
  6. Demonstrated high level organisational skills, high level initiative, ability to work unsupervised and to manage competing demands.
  7. High level interpersonal and communication and negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to liaise and communicate effectively with staff, external stakeholders and clients with complex needs and from diverse backgrounds.
  8. Ability to establish and maintain a cooperative and productive work environment with a diverse team of legal and non-legal staff.
  9. An understanding of the issues affecting vulnerable people in the justice system and potential practical, policy and law reform matters impacting on this.
  10. Commitment to legal aid values and an understanding of Northern Territory justice issues and the legal assistance sector.

Desirable:

  1. Minimum 4 years post admission experience in criminal law, including the conduct of contested matters.
  2. Experience in the conduct of jury trials and appeals
  3. Demonstrated experience in managing the day-to-day operations of a legal office.

Click here to download the position description

Applications close Wednesday, 14 October 2026. 

For further information contact Human Resources on (08) 8999 3000 or recruitment@legalaid.nt.gov.au. 

  • Last Modified: October 2, 2026
  • 12:03 pm