Te Tari Ture o te Karauna | Crown Law
Rōia Kaiāwhina o te Karauna | Assistant Crown Counsel

Mō mātou | About Us

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 of the Crown
- Leading the government legal profession
- Overseeing public prosecutions
- Providing legal services to Government

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.

We strive to incorporate and reflect te reo Māori and tikanga Māori in the workplace. Crown Law is also committed to flexibility and provides a range of flexible working arrangements that allow our team members to work in ways that allow them and the organisation to perform at their best.

Mō ngā tūranga | About the Roles

This is an exciting opportunity for junior lawyers who are looking to develop a career in cutting-edge advice work and litigation while contributing to the broader community. We have positions available in each of our three legal groups:

Criminal: this group’s work focuses on the conduct of criminal appeals, and requests for Solicitor-General appeals, from Crown prosecutions in the higher courts, as well as extradition requests and international cooperation under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992.

Crown Legal Risk: this group includes four Public Law Teams and a Revenue Team. The public law teams work across a wide variety of subject areas including climate change, environmental law, citizenship and immigration, health, gambling, biosecurity, defence, education, transport, social security and family law.

Attorney-General (AG): this group provides constitutional, human rights, and Treaty of Waitangi legal services. The group supports the statutory functions of the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General, oversees human rights legislation, manages international extradition/mutual assistance, matters relating to the Crown-Māori relationship and acts as the protector of charities.

You will be immersed in meaningful, high-quality work which will give you exposure to many parts of government. Our senior counsel will provide you with guidance and support across a diverse range of matters while you gain practical legal experience.  You will be allocated to a particular legal group, however, there will be opportunities to work with other teams across Crown Law (and often with other agencies).

Our leadership role within the Government Legal Network will enable you to access a range of professional development opportunities, as part of a broader network of approximately 1,200 lawyers working in the public sector.

Mōu | About You

You will have:

- Well-developed oral and written communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
-Research and advocacy skills
-Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
-Respect for and/or experience with the Treaty of Waitangi, te ao Māori and tikanga Māori or a genuine commitment to build those skills and experience

Location: Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington

These roles are Wellington-based and located next to the Wellington bus and train station.

Ngā painga | What we Offer

Crown Law promotes flexible working so we’d be happy to chat about what flexible working would look like for you and how we can support that.  You will also receive:
- A starting salary of between $79,938 and $104,381 with annual step progression
- An annual wellness payment
- 4 weeks annual leave plus 3 additional leave days (Crown Law days)
- Opportunities for development and growth across Crown Law

Tono mai ināianei | Apply Now

- 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 three 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
- Access requirements and/or whānau support will be taken into account when arranging interviews

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 feel free to contact us at HR@crownlaw.govt.nz.

Applications close at 5pm on 26 February 2026