Assistant Crown Counsel | Rōia Āwhina o te Karauna, Criminal Group
Crown Law |Te Tari Ture o te Karauna

About us | Mō mātou

Crown Law’s purpose is to serve New Zealand by supporting the Government to operate lawfully. Crown Law’s functions are:

• Supporting the Law Officers (the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General) of the Crown
• Providing legal services to Government with excellence
• Leading the government legal profession
• Overseeing public prosecutions

Crown Law provides legal advice and representation services to the Government in matters affecting the executive government. The services Crown Law provides include matters covering judicial review of government actions, constitutional questions including te Tiriti o Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi issues, the enforcement of criminal law, and the protection of revenue. Crown Law also administers the prosecution process in the criminal justice system, in particular, Crown prosecutions.

About the Role | Mō te Tūranga

This is an exciting opportunity for a junior lawyer who is looking to develop a career in cutting-edge, high-profile criminal appellate litigation and advice in Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

As Assistant Crown Counsel, you will assist senior counsel representing the Crown in relation to criminal matters. Our work includes the conduct of criminal appeals in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court; acting on behalf of the Attorney-General as New Zealand’s central authority for international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; representing the Crown in relation to extradition requests to and from other countries; and advising the Solicitor-General and Deputy Solicitor-General (Criminal) on the exercise of their constitutional responsibilities in relation to prosecutions, including whether to pursue Crown appeals on matters of significant legal importance or public interest.

In this role, you will develop your advocacy skills, written and oral, principally by working closely with experienced criminal litigators but also through a range of training and development opportunities.More detailed information about this position can be found in the position description below.

You can find out more about Crown Law | Te Tari Ture o te Karauna and being an Assistant Crown Counsel | Rōia Kaiāwhina o te Karauna by clicking the following:  Assistant Crown Counsel » Crown Law 

About You | Mōu

You will have:· 

·Well-developed oral and written communication skills.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

· Research and advocacy skills.

· Ideally some experience of, or exposure to, criminal law and/or litigation.

· Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

· General knowledge of the role in the law of the Treaty of Waitangi, te ao Māori and tikanga Māori or a willingness to build skills in these areas as Counsel for the Crown. 

Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara

This role is Wellington based and located in Aitken Street/Kate Sheppard Place, near the Wellington bus and train station. 

What we Offer | Ngā painga

· A starting salary of between $79,938 and $104,381  with further room to progress. The appointing salary will be based on skills and experience.

· An annual wellness payment.

· 4 weeks of annual leave plus 3 additional leave days (Crown Law days).

· Opportunities for development and growth across Crown Law.  

Apply Now | Tono mai ināianei .

· All applications must include a curriculum vitae, academic transcript, and any other documentation you would like to submit to support your application and evidence your skills and experience. 

· You will also be required to answer additional questions about yourself and what skills and experience you would bring to Crown Law as part of this process.

· You must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand and are required to complete a Ministry of Justice criminal record check.

· You must hold a current practising certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society or be able to obtain one before or soon after starting at Crown Law.

If you have any additional questions about this role, or if you have a disability that affects the submission of your application through the online process, please email people.capability@crownlaw.govt.nz.

Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 12 July 2026.