Counsel Assisting

The Coroners Court of Queensland (CCQ) supports the State Coroner’s statutory function to oversee and coordinate the Queensland coronial system by providing registry, administrative and legal support to ten full time Coroners and two registrars. Under the Coroners Act 2003, Coroners are responsible for investigating reportable deaths that occur in Queensland. This investigation seeks to determine the identity of the deceased person, when and where they died, how they died and the medical cause of death. Where an inquest is held, the Coroner may make recommendations about public health and safety, or the administration of justice or ways to prevent similar deaths from occurring in the future.

Refer to role description for more information.

As Counsel Assisting, You Will

• Review complex coronial cases and provide advice to the coroner about whether an inquest should be held.
• Prepare complex and highly sensitive matters for inquest, including drafting legal advice, and other court documents, briefing medical specialists and other experts and liaising with police, family members and other professional and non-professional witnesses.
• From time to time, appear at inquest either as counsel assisting or instructing external counsel assisting or Senior Counsel Assisting.
• Summarise evidence tendered at an inquest and draft written submissions.
• Coordinate, in consultation with Senior Counsel Assisting and the Director of Legal Services, registry staff involved in managing and preparing matters for inquest.
• Provide other high level legal advice and specialist legal guidance and analysis as required.
• As a senior member of a coronial team, provide support and advice to more junior staff in the team.
• Cultivate productive working relationships with judicial officers and CCQ staff, and model professional behaviour and standards at all times.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Occupational group Justice & Legal