Legal Officer
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About the role Career progression and training Salary and benefits Entry requirementsNot many legal specialists get trained to lead teams of people in all kinds of situations, handle weapons and develop problem-solving, adventure and outdoor skills. As a Legal Advisor, your career can vary greatly depending on what appointment you hold, but you could find yourself working in areas such as Military law, military and civilian employment law or human rights and privacy law.
- ServiceAir Force
- SpecialisationSpecialist
- LocationVaried
- Starting Salary$71,823
About the role
Legal Advisors (LEGADs) in the New Zealand Defence Force work in what could be best described as a ‘Specialised General Practice. As a Military Legal Advisor, your career can vary greatly depending on what appointment you hold, but the principal areas in which you can practice are:
- Military law
- Administrative law
- Military and civilian employment law
- The law of armed conflict and other international and domestic law applicable to the operations of the Armed Forces
- Human rights and privacy law
- Contract law
- Resource management law
From time to time you will be required to appear for the Crown in the Court Martial of New Zealand or other courts and tribunals, such as the Summary Appeal Court of New Zealand or a coroner’s inquest. There are periodic opportunities for exchanges with military lawyers in Australia, Canada and the UK, as well as occasional overseas training opportunities in areas such as the law of armed conflict.
The majority of your career as a Legal Advisor will be spent in a tri-service environment. This means that Legal Officers often spend their careers at various defence establishments and your work colleagues can be Army, Navy, Air Force and Civilian.
Career progression and training
Career Progression
Basic Training
Job Training
Ongoing Training
Following successful completion of the Initial Officer Induction Course (IOTC), you will typically be promoted to Flying Officer and posted to one of the Defence Force’s legal offices for on the job training as a military lawyer. These offices are currently located in Auckland, Waiouru, Palmerston North, Wellington and Burnham. You can expect to be posted to other junior appointments in other Defence Force establishments in the early stages of your career. You will be promoted to Flight Lieutenant upon completion of all relevant courses and necessary time in rank. There may be opportunities for operational deployments around the world, and exchanges with other Military Forces including in the UK, Canada and Australia.
RNZAF Officer Commissioning Course (ROC)
(26 weeks) Location: RNZAF Base Woodbourne
All individuals selected to become Commissioned Officers in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) are required to complete this course. It is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and experience necessary for commissioned service and the beginning of a career in leadership. This course will cover various subjects including:
- RNZAF Customs and Protocol
- Drill and Parades
- Military Law
- Military Field Skills and Weapons Training
- Defence and Strategic Studies
- Personnel Administration
- Communication Skills
- Command, Leadership and Management
- First Aid
As a junior LEGAD specialist training is provided as appropriate on an ongoing basis, most of which is conducted in-house. Throughout your career you will have the opportunity to attend specific military law courses and exercises within New Zealand and overseas. You will be encouraged to pursue relevant postgraduate study opportunities.
You can be given the opportunity to develop your advocacy skills by appearing as junior counsel in the Court Martial and the Summary Appeal Court, and may have the opportunity to participate in specialist litigation training.
All LEGAD's are encouraged to undertake additional NZDF courses to enhance their general Service and military skills and therefore their deployability.
Salary and benefits
Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
$49,105
Recruit
$71,837
Starting Salary
$147,309
Higher Rank
Benefits and allowances
There are many additional benefits to being in the Defence Force, that will make your money go further.
For example, on top of your basic salary you can expect ‘Military Factor’. This provides you with significant extra financial rewards because of the commitment you’ve made to serve your country.
Free and subsidised medical and dental care
Access to subsidised equipment on base
Subsidised food on base
Competitive superannuation, up to 4% with KiwiSaver
Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
Entry requirements
Basics
Education
Fitness and Medical
Citizenship
Period of Service
- Be a minimum of 17 years of age
- Meet the citizenship and security requirements to gain SV security clearance for this trade
- Be of good character – assessed by study of testimonials and a police record check
- You must be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years or that preclude you holding a practising certificate.
- Have completed an LLB degree, preferably with a B+ minimum average.
- Ideally been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court and hold a New Zealand Law Society Practising Certificate.
- Relevant legal experience is advantageous.
- You must be medically fit for service.
- Colour perception restrictions may apply.
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
There may be a return of service period for courses completed in this trade.
