LAW RESEARCHER is a South African government vacancy at Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ). This job is part of Circular 14 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Supreme Court of Appeal: Bloemfontein | closing date: 12 May 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Salary
R487 197 – R573 897 per annum (Level 09). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.
Centre
Supreme Court of Appeal: Bloemfontein
Requirements
- Applicants should be in possession of an LLB degree or four-year recognized legal qualification.
- A minimum of three (3) years legal research experience.
- Sound knowledge of domestic and international legal databases.
- A valid driver’s license and an LLM degree (full dissertation) will serve as an added advantage.
- All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements.
- Knowledge and skills: Excellent research and analytical skills.
- Report writing and editing skills.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
- Understanding of the Constitution and relevant legislations.
- Computer literacy (MS Office).
- Ability to access and utilize computer research programmes (e.g.
- Westlaw, LexisNexis, Jutastat).
- Planning and organizing.
- Ability to integrate knowledge from diverse sources.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.
- Interpersonal and Problems solving skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and ability to work independently.
Duties
- Perform all legal duties for the Judges to enable them to prepare judgments.
- Research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic format on legal issues, as requested by the Judges and other personnel of the Court.
- Read all the relevant materials and analyse them thoroughly.
- Discuss all possible variations on a legal point with colleagues and/or the Judge.
- Prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the research.
- Proofread all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers.
- Verify all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text for correctness.
- Correct documents with the help of track changes to allow for the acceptance/rejection of the proposed changes.
- Draft speeches, conference notes and legal articles.
- Monitor and bring to the attention of Judges of the Court recent developments in case law and jurisprudence.
- Attend to additional duties as assigned.
Enquiries
Technical Related Enquiries: Ms S Collins Tel No: (051) 492 4623 HR Related Enquiries: Ms N. de la Rey Tel No: (051) 492 4585
Applications
Where to send your application.
Applications can be sent via email to 2026/07/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Department Notes
All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form, which can be downloaded on internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical competency exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the Department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts. Prior to appointment for SMS, a candidate would be required to complete the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services as endorsed by DPSA which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG). The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed on both pages by the applicant. The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process. Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation considered. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process. All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointment. The Office the Chief Justice complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Act No. 4 of 2013. We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event that your application was unsuccessful, the Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies. All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes. Failure to provide requested information will render your application null and void. The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process.
Notes
The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
SALARY : R487 197 – R573 897 per annum (Level 09). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.
CENTRE : Supreme Court of Appeal: Bloemfontein
REQUIREMENTS : Applicants should be in possession of an LLB degree or four-year recognized legal qualification. A minimum of three (3) years legal research experience.
Sound knowledge of domestic and international legal databases. A valid driver’s license and an LLM degree (full dissertation) will serve as an added
advantage. All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's
suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements. Knowledge and skills: Excellent research and analytical skills. Report writing and editing
skills. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal). Understanding of the
Constitution and relevant legislations. Computer literacy (MS Office). Ability to access and utilize computer research programmes (e.g. Westlaw, LexisNexis,
Jutastat). Planning and organizing. Ability to integrate knowledge from diverse sources. Accuracy and attention to detail. Interpersonal and Problems solving
skills. Ability to work under pressure and ability to work independently.
DUTIES : Perform all legal duties for the Judges to enable them to prepare judgments. Research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and
electronic format on legal issues, as requested by the Judges and other personnel of the Court. Read all the relevant materials and analyse them
thoroughly. Discuss all possible variations on a legal point with colleagues and/or the Judge. Prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of
the research. Proofread all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers. Verify all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles
against the original text for correctness. Correct documents with the help of track changes to allow for the acceptance/rejection of the proposed changes.
Draft speeches, conference notes and legal articles. Monitor and bring to the
attention of Judges of the Court recent developments in case law and jurisprudence. Attend to additional duties as assigned.
ENQUIRIES : Technical Related Enquiries: Ms S Collins Tel No: (051) 492 4623 HR Related Enquiries: Ms N. de la Rey Tel No: (051) 492 4585
APPLICATIONS : Applications can be sent via email to 2026/07/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
NOTE : The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 14 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: This vacancy was imported from the official DPSA circular PDF. Please confirm the reference number, closing date, and application instructions in the original circular before applying. View the official DPSA vacancy circulars.



