The incumbent is required to perform more complex professional legal work in the areas of Civil Law. Duties include supervising lower-level legal professionals engaged in Civil Law work, representing the State in more complex Civil Law matters, instructing advocate Attorneys-at-Law, providing advice and opinions to Ministries/Departments and other Government Agencies, drafting vetting and certifying complex Civil/Commercial documents such as agreements, contracts, deeds, and leases and representing a Ministry/Department and/or State at Court, seminars, workshops, and other fora. Dependent on assignment, the incumbent may be required to perform some or the full range of the duties of the position.

• Supervises lower-level legal professionals engaged in Civil Law duties. 
• Represents the State in the more complex civil proceedings as Advocate Attorney or as Junior Counsel to Senior State Counsel. This involves: - 
  • Researching and reviewing laws, evidence and judgments; 
  • Determining whether matter should be settled or whether there should be an appeal; 
  • Appearing on behalf of the State in civil matters and in interlocutory proceedings at the High Court and Court of Appeal; and 
  • Preparing and presenting oral and written submissions in Court. 
• Prepares cases for trial by interviewing and taking statements from defendants and witnesses and other relevant persons by conducting research into the Law and advising on pre-trial matters. 
• Prepares letters, simple draft pleadings, summonses, affidavits, statements of claim and other legal documents for filing in Court. , 
• Prepares briefs for and instructs advocate Attorneys-at-law in the High Court, Appeal Court, Tax Appeal Board, and other Courts and Tribunals. 
• Attends Court on Chamber applications such as vesting orders, paternity applications and mental health applications as well as interlocutory applications relating to cases for trial. 
• Prepares and represents the State in Bills of Costs and reviews. 
• Prepares, vets and certifies more complex deeds of lease, bills of sale, licences, reclamation licences, lease rental agreements, contracts, agreements, service contracts and supervises execution of the same.
• Drafts and vets the more complex commercial documents, agreements and contracts by researching and examining precedents related to the specific nature of the document. 
• Researches and examines precedents relating to various types of legal documents. 
• Conducts research and analysis on a range of legal issues relating to the operations of a Ministry/ Department and assists in the preparation of opinions, working papers and other legal documents. 
• Prepares advice to Cabinet, Ministries/Departments/Statutory Bodies and other governmental agencies on a range of the more complex Civil Law matters/issues by researching the law and writing legal opinions. 
• Interprets laws, ordinances and regulations in respect of issues relating to contract, succession, Public Trustee, land, commercial and conveyancing matters. 
• Attends meetings and sits on Committees with officers from client Ministries/Departments to· plan documentation for projects and negotiates with consultants. 
• Represents the Ministry/Department/State at local, regional and/or international meetings, conferences, workshops and other fora and prepares reports of meetings. 
• Negotiates agreements/treaties on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago. 
• Performs other duties as may be required

• Considerable knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago. 
• Considerable knowledge of legal principles, practices, and procedures. 
• Considerable knowledge of legal research methods and techniques. Considerable knowledge of the Court procedures and practices of Trinidad and Tobago and the Rules of Evidence. 
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and techniques of title research and property conveyancing. 
• Considerable knowledge of the statutes governing the functioning of the Chief State Solicitor and/or Solicitor General Departments. 
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and techniques of trial advocacy. 
• Knowledge of legal drafting principles and procedures.

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and the internet for research purposes. 
• Skill in drafting legal documents/instruments. 
• Skill in advocacy, negotiation and mediation. 
• Ability to conduct title research and to prepare and vet legal documents such as summonses, affidavits, statements of claim, deeds, leases, and Bills of Sale. 
• Ability to prepare briefs and defences, and to provide instructions for advocate Attorneys-at-laws regarding litigation matters. 
• Ability to interpret and analyze the law and legal issues. 
• Ability to think analytically. 
• Ability to present and explain statements of fact and the law, and to argue clearly and logically, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, members of the public and stakeholders.

• Minimum of six (6) years' experience as a practicing Attorney-at-law in the area of Civil and Commercial Law and conveyancing. 
• Bachelor of Laws Degree from a recognized institution. Legal Education Certificate or equivalent from a recognized institution. 
• Admission to practice Law in Trinidad and Tobago.