Job description
Agency Attorney-General's Department Work unit Solicitor-General's Chambers
Job title Crown Counsel Designation Executive Contract Officer 1
Job type Full time Duration Fixed from 31/03/2026 for 4 years
Remuneration package $226,322 Location Darwin
Position number 10288 RTF Closing 19/02/2026
Contact officer Solicitor-General on or
About the agency
Apply online
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR
TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates
people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment
process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the
merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures
plans, go to the OCPE website.
Primary objective
The provision of legal advice and court representation, predominantly in the areas of constitutional law, administrative law
and other public law, in respect of the Northern Territory Government.
Context statement
Crown Counsel is an integral part of the Solicitor-General's Chambers. The Chambers consist of the Solicitor-General, Crown
Counsel, a solicitor on secondment from the Solicitor for the Northern Territory (SFNT) and an executive assistant. Crown
Counsel is responsible for the provision of legal advice to the highest levels of the Northern Territory executive branch,
including the Attorney-General, the Cabinet Office and Chief Executive Officers of the Agencies.
Crown Counsel is also required to advise and appear in proceedings where the legislative, executive or judicial powers of
the Territory or the Commonwealth are in question, or where the interpretation of the Constitution is raised.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Provide high-level quality advice to:
(a) The Attorney-General's Department and other government agencies and statutory officers; and
(b) SFNT, and independent statutory officers or their staff, on major, complex or sensitive matters within a broad range
of law areas.
1. Appear as barrister on behalf of the Territory or its agencies in Territory courts, the Federal Court, the High Court and
various tribunals. The role requires Crown Counsel to appear as lead counsel and at times as junior counsel (usually to
the Solicitor-General) instructed by SFNT or private law firms engaged by Government.
1. Assist the Solicitor-General as required in the provision of high-quality legal advice including to the Attorney-General,
Ministers and independent statutory officers.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. The right to practice as a legal practitioner in the Northern Territory.
2. Experience as a legal practitioner in the relevant fields of law, particularly constitutional law, statutory interpretation,
public and administrative law and commercial law.
3. Experience in an advocacy role (as barrister or solicitor advocate) with skills of a high order.
4. Extensive knowledge of the constitutional arrangements pertaining to the Northern Territory, including the operation of
the Constitution, the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 (Cth), and the Territory court system.
5. Extensive knowledge of, and experience with, the workings and processes of government, particularly State and Territory,
but also at the federal and local government levels.
6. Demonstrated ability to prepare high quality written submissions and opinions.
7. Effectiveness in the negotiation of litigation settlements and other legal agreements.
Further information
The successful applicant will be required to undergo a criminal history check. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant
from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history. A pre-employment form is to be submitted with your online
application, to support the selection panel in assessing your application.