Senior Magistrate

The MAGISTRATE’S COURT invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for the position of SENIOR MAGISTRATE.

SENIOR MAGISTRATE

Mandate: 

To direct the administration and enforcement of the law by presiding over the country’s Magistracy and serve as Coroner and Registrar General in accordance with established legal regulations, ordinances, conventions, procedures and processes. Direct the financial control of the Judicial Department and ensure the maintenance of the building.

Fey Function

• Convene and preside over the Coroner’s Court, Magistrate’s Court, Juvenile Court, Court of Summary Jurisdiction and Liquor Licensing proceedings.
• Authorize the removal of bodies and registrations of deaths.
• Serve as the Custodian of Enemy property.
• Supervise personnel of the Judicial Department.
• Act as Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages
• Supervise and support the Office Manager in ensuring complex, equipment and other property
• are properly maintained.
• Supervise and direct the financial control of the Judicial Department.

  Key Duties

• Authorise the removal of bodies and the registration of deaths after appropriate investigation and liaison with the police and relevant medical officers.
•  Convene and preside over the Coroner’s Court as is considered appropriate.
• Exercise the prerogative of Summary Jurisdiction in civil cases as permitted under the law.
•  Authorise the seizure and retention of enemy property consistent with appropriate interpretations and application of the relevant law.
• Convene and preside over the Magistrate’s Court, the Juvenile Court and hearings for the consideration of liquor licence applications.
• Authorise the seizure of property in the determination and resolution of civil actions.
• Authorise the registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
• Prepare notes of evidence, reasons for magisterial decisions and notes of justification for appeals.
• Sign summons, complaints and related documentation required for operations of the magistracy.
• Manage the maintenance and administration of Public Cemeteries.
• Plan, direct and manage staff and the general administration of the Magistrate’s section to include staff development, recruitment and appraisal.
• Direct and supervise Health and safety procedures within the Courts’ building complex;
• Supervise the maintenance and security operation of the Court’s building equipment and grounds
• Liaise with the Registrar of the Supreme Court as required
• Supervise and direct the financial control of the Judicial Department in accordance with approved policies and regulations.
• Participate in disaster management activities designed to prepare for, mitigate
• against and respond to disaster events.
• Develop and implement strategies for improving and maintaining a high level of
• Customer Service in the public sector.
• Perform other related duties as required by the job function

KEY AUTHORITIES

Authorised to:

• Perform the duties of Coroner
• Preside over Court of Summary Jurisdiction
• Seize and hold the property of enemies of the state
• Preside over the Magistrate’s Court and Juvenile Court.
• Approve the grant of liquor licences
• Seize property in Civil cases
• Carry out the functions of Registrar General and Marriage Officer
• Conduct annual staff appraisals for staff of Magistrate section
• Organise, direct and effect sectional changes.

SCOPE OF THE JOB

The job carries responsibility for the operations and administration of the magistracy as  well as discharging the responsibilities of Coroner and Registrar General of Anguilla.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The incumbent must possess well developed knowledges and skills in the interpretation, application, administration and enforcement of law in Anguilla as well as sound knowledge of the regulations, procedures and legal processes required for the effective performance of the responsibilities of Registrar General and Coroner and Magistrate.

These knowledge skills and abilities are normally obtained in the process of acquisition of a Bachelors degree in law, or its equivalent together with a legal education practice certificate and at least eight years experience as a practicing Barrister and solicitor (Attorney at law) in Civil and Criminal law or equivalent in a Commonwealth Country. Experience as a Senior Magistrate or in a similar or related post would be an asset.

The incumbent should also be computer literate with experience in personnel and financial management, able to show initiative, be decisive, flexible, sociable, reliable, co-operative, have strong interpersonal and communicative skills, a team-worker and can perform, professionally, under pressure.