Job Purpose
The incumbent is responsible for providing legal knowledge and support to the Agency, to achieve its mission, objectives and targets, attending Court on behalf of the Agency, initiating and conducting litigation on behalf of estates regarding all legal claims to protect beneficiaries, clients, and creditors. The incumbent will also manage assigned files in an efficient manner and mitigate against risk exposure to the Administrator-General for Jamaica and the Agency
Key Responsibilities
- Prepares all documents required for Grants of Administration or Instruments of Administration;
- Prepares all Court documents on behalf of the Administrator-General, including affidavits, summons and statement of claim;
- Prepares Notice to Quit;
- Prepares and files Plaint Note and particulars of claim, ensuring accuracy;
- Liaises with Senior Legal Secretary and Property Services Section regarding filing and service of legal documents for matters in the Parish Courts for recovery of possession and/or rental arrears;
- Completes sale of estate properties, including but not limited to the preparation of Agreements for Sale and Instruments of Transfer, Caveat searches, preparation of Statements of Account, preparation of Letters of Undertaking, communication with Purchaser/Purchaser’s Attorney-at-Law, and all other steps required to complete the sale;
- Prepares Restrictive Covenant Modification Applications regarding sub-division of estate property, boundary encroachments;
- Prepares Caveat entries, transmissions and documents concerning endorsements on titles;
- Initiates and completes claims against delinquent tenants in estate property, for rental arrears and/or recovery of possession;
- Initiates and completes claims against squatters in estate property, for recovery of possession;
- Responds to all Applications for Declaration of Paternity and/or Spouseship made by external parties, to which the Department may or may not have an interest, and to attend Court;
- Liaises with external organizations and Attorneys on relevant matters;
- Attends Court, as required;
- Interviews, meets with or conferences with client(s) to process legal actions;
- Reviews relevant legislation and recommends amendments;
- Makes proper charges against estates for legal work undertaken;
- Advises all sections on client work done and status of cases;
- Commences and litigates claims in the Parish Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, on behalf of estates;
- Defends estates in claims filed in the Parish Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal;
- Negotiates settlements with insurance companies and related parties;
- Attends and represents the Administrator-General for Jamaica at Mediation Sessions;
- Examines ways and means of solving and closing complex estates;
- Advises Administrator-General on Legal aspects of estates;
- Prepares and submits periodic reports on work undertaken to Senior Legal Executive;
- Performs other related functions and special projects as assigned, from time to time, by the Senior Legal Executive.
Management/Administrative:
- Represents the AGD at meetings, conferences and other fora, as required;
- Analyzes the assigned portfolio of cases and makes recommendations, as necessary, to enable effective management and timely completion of litigation routinely;
- Prepares reports and other documents for internal and external reporting, as required;
- Contributes to the development of the Section’s Operational Plan;
- Ensures that dates are obtained in a timely manner from Court, and the Registrar is prompted to refer matters to Mediation, Case Management Conference and Assessment of Damages Hearing, and Default Judgements are entered in an expeditious manner;
- Provides technical and administrative guidance to Senior Legal Secretary and Legal Secretaries and other Branches on matters;
- Provides supervision and guidance to Legal Secretaries in the management of their files to include Instrument of Administration, Instrument of Distribution, Letters of administration, rental arrears and recovery of possession and sale of estate of properties.
Other:
- Conducts internal training sessions;
- Contributes to the periodic review of the legislations guiding the administration of estates, as required;
- Participates in public education/relations programmes, such as road shows, expos, conferences, as directed;
- Assists in review and editing of contracts regarding the Administrator-General’s and the Department;
- Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time by the Senior Legal Executive and/or the Administrator-General for Jamaica.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Good presentation skills
- Good analytical and judgement skills, with keen attention to detail
- Good planning and organizing skills with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Good supervisory skills
- Excellent knowledge of Civil Procedure and Court of Appeal Rules, Administrator General’s Act, Intestates’ Estates and Property Charges Act, Status of the Children Act, Registration of Titles Act, Fatal Accidents Act, Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and any other statutory regulation relevant to estate administration
- Excellent knowledge of Court procedures
- Demonstrates independent judgment
- Proactive and decisive worker who excels at resolving complex legal issues using a logical and methodological approach
- Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated capability to interface and maintain effective relationships internally and externally
- Ability to handle a high case load
- Ability to work on cases independently
- Working knowledge of relevant computer applications
Minimum Required Qualification and Experience
- Attorney-at-Law (qualified to practice in Jamaica);
- Three (3) years’ related work experience;
- Two (2) years’ practice in the Laws of Succession, with litigation experience.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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