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Navy

Reserve Legal Officer

Not many legal specialists get trained to lead teams of people in all kinds of situations, handle weapons and develop problem-solving skills. As a Reserve Legal Officer, you could find yourself working in areas such as military law, military and civilian employment law, or human rights and privacy law.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Education & Support roles | Navy Reserve | Officers & Management

  • Entry type

    Officer entry, Navy Reserve

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $248

  • Location

    Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin

Legal Advisors (LEGADs) in the New Zealand Defence Force work in what could be best described as a ‘Specialised General Practice’.  As a LEGAD, your career can vary greatly depending on your tasking, but the principal areas in which you may practise 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

As a Reserve Legal Officer, you may provide legal advice to all levels of command.  That advice may encompass a range of topics, including disciplinary matters, military justice procedure, Service Police investigations, Courts of Inquiry, command investigations, the law of armed conflict and rules of engagement, compliance with applicable civil law, civilian employment disputes, complaints, and contracts.  Reserve Legal Officers may also advise on, and assist with, the formulation of policy, and provide legal training and education.

From time to time, and depending upon your experience, you may 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.

The majority of your career as a LEGAD will be spent in a tri-service environment.  This means that Reserve Legal Officers may serve at various defence establishments, and your work colleagues can be Navy, Army, Air Force and civilian.  You may also have the opportunity to serve overseas, on exercise or on deployment.

Applications

This role may not be recruited for 6-12 months but we'd encourage you to apply early. You can check in-demand trades for our next intakes

Requirements

Basics

  • Must have completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). See education tab for further details.
  • Be of good character - assessed by a study of testimonials and a police record check
  • Pass an Officer Selection Board

Education

Minimum: You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). Applicants in their final year of study are encouraged to apply.

Desirable: Completion of Professional Legal Studies and having been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, as well as some form of post-admission experience, will make you a competitive applicant.

Fitness & Medical

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the TSV security clearance required for this trade. You must be free of any criminal convictions.

Find out if you’re eligible here.

 

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

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"I’m passionate about serving our community through representing those who are marginalised, without a voice and find themselves before the courts. But I’m equally passionate about serving our country

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Career progression and training

01Training Overview

02Time Commitment

03Basic Training - JOCT

04Job Training - Legal Officer

05Career Progression

Salary & Benefits

As a Navy Reserve Officer, the minimum remuneration you will be paid is a daily rate, plus an allowance for holiday pay. The NZDF also pays 4% Kiwisaver on top of your personal contribution. Your remuneration will increase on promotion and seniority.

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Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
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The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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Ready to start your Navy career?

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