Federal Court of Australia

Senior Judicial Registrar (Litigants in Person and Pro Bono)

Senior Judicial Registrar (Litigants in Person and Pro Bono)
This role has a particular focus on the Court’s Litigants in Person (LIP) and Pro Bono work.

At a glance

Organisation:

Federal Court of Australia

Type:

Full-time

Location:

Sydney, Australia

Job posted:

15 October 2026

This role has a particular focus on the Court’s Litigants in Person (LIP) and Pro Bono work.  A growing number of matters in the Court involve LIPs.  As lay users of the Court, LIPs face challenges with the preparation and articulation of their case. LIPs also present challenges to the Court in relation to their understanding of Court practice and procedure and the limitations to the assistance that the Court can provide to LIPs. The Court also has specific duties in relation to LIPs. The Court must ensure that LIPs are given a fair and reasonable opportunity to present their case. This includes the provision of information about Court practice and procedure. This invariably means that matters involving LIPs require careful case management on the part of Judges, Registrars and Registry staff.

To address the particular needs of LIPs, the Court has developed an LIP Strategic Plan which implements a structured whole-of-institution approach for the work of the Court that involves LIPs. Together with the Judges of the Court, the Senior Judicial Registrar (SJR) (LIP and Pro Bono) has responsibility for the implementation of the Strategic Plan and pro bono referral program.  This includes representing the Court in various external forums, developing close working relationships with legal aid and community legal centres and other third parties such as universities, overseeing and maintaining the collation, and monitoring and analysis of data on the Court’s LIP and Pro Bono work.  

The SJR (LIP and Pro Bono) is a key national leadership position. In addition to the above, it will also lead, coordinate and manage the Court’s expanding LIP and Pro Bono team nationally.  This involves performing a leadership, management, and mentoring role for Judicial Registrars and legal and other support staff at a local and national level. 

Key Responsibilities

The role will also coordinate induction, training and education sessions for Judges, Registrars and other Court staff in relation to the effective management of matters involving LIPs and vulnerable litigants more generally.  

As well as the LIP and Pro Bono focus above, the SJR (LIP and Pro Bono):

  • undertakes all of the functions of a Judicial Registrar at a technically advanced level, including:
    • performing the statutory duties, powers and functions of a registrar pursuant to the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) and other legislative instruments, as required;
    • performing delegated judicial functions;
    • conducting technically complex mediations;
    • undertaking case management of matters; and
    • presiding in Court, including in determining complex interlocutory disputes.
  • exercises strategic organisational leadership through various national committees and works closely in support of various Judicial Committees;
  • performing other duties as required or directed from time to time.

The Successful Candidate

Competencies and Attributes
To undertake this role the successful applicant must have: 

  • extensive experience in complex civil litigation; 
  • a thorough understanding of how high level case management and complex mediations are conducted;
  • a detailed understanding of the jurisdiction and practices and procedures of the Court;  
  • a proven ability to:
    • undertake high level analytical and legal work and critically evaluate a large volume of information in a high pressure environment;
    • exercise independent judgement in line with the expectations of a senior leader within the APS;
    • manage multiple responsibilities effectively and prioritise matters appropriately; and
    • build and sustain positive relationships with a network of key stakeholders internally and externally.
  • a proven ability to lead, manage and mentor senior and junior staff at a local and national level.
  • a comprehensive understanding of the nature of matters before courts involving LIPs and the challenges faced by both LIPs and courts in relation to such matters.  

Formal Qualifications
Legal qualifications and admission as a practitioner of the High Court and/or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory of Australia is essential.  

In addition, it is desirable for the applicant to be accredited as a mediator with experience in conducting mediations.

Apply now