Deputy Registrar (JLG/LO 4)

Summary

The incumbent, under the general direction of the Registrars, will assist with the operations and management of the Supreme Court Western Registry. The incumbent is responsible for the execution of the Administration of Justice in direct relation to the Supreme Court Western Registry, ensuring that there is compliance with the regulations and guidelines as stipulated by the relevant Acts and Policies while seeking to enhance the level of service delivery to all clients and maintaining the established time standards. 💰$7,716,512 - $10,377,851 JMD per annum

Responsibilities

• • Develops and implements strategies to give effect to the strategic plan of the Supreme Court;
• • Reviews/vets all estate applications filed in the Supreme Court;
• • Consults with the Legal Officer and Court Co-ordinator, initiates coaching or makes recommendations for staff to receive training, where gaps are found;
• • Manages and deals with internal and external conflicts which have been escalated;
• • Attends weekly meetings with the Chief Justice;
• • Attends monthly statistics meetings to review the performance of the Division;
• • Reviews process flow and registry procedure periodically, and implements process improvement strategies, where deficiencies are identified;
• • Ensures that applications are in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules, Wills Act, Intestate Estate and Property Charges Act, Administrator-General’s Act and any other legislative provisions that govern the Law of Succession;
• • Prepares requisitions where errors have been found on estate applications;
• • Issues Gazette Notices;
• • Reviews and grants estate applications;
• • Reviews and signs grants of representation;
• • Conducts research, when intricate applications are filed, and consults with Registrar or Judge for guidance;
• • Explains and gives procedural guidance and clarification for requisitions and administrative notices issued;
• • Certifies copies of Grants previously issued by the Court;
• • Prepares letters or emails in response to queries and requests concerning estate matters sent in by Attorneys and members of the Public;
• • Assists the public or “walk-ins”, by explaining to them the procedural requirements in obtaining a Grant and the relevant laws in relation to estate matters and directing them to the appropriate agency (Legal Aid, Administrator-General’s Department, National Land Agency, et al);
• • Assists the Registrar in the development and implementation of strategies to give effect to the strategic plan of the Judiciary;
• • Monitors the progress of matters filed;
• • Attends Court, as required;
• • Works with the Registrar and Supervisors to assign duties to members of the Registry and to develop Individual Work Plans;

• Reviews and vets applications for dissolution of marriages filed in the Supreme Court. The vetting process includes the following:

  • • Ensuring that applications are in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules, Matrimonial Causes Act, Marriage Act, Maintenance Act, Practice Directions and other legislative provisions that govern the family law;
  • • Preparing requisitions where errors have been found;
  • • Signing and issuing all petitions;
  • • Making recommendations for decree nisi applications to be granted by the Master/Judge;
  • • Conducting research when intricate applications are filed and consulting with Registrar or Judge for guidance;
  • • Co-ordinating and managing the review/vetting of files by the Court Co-ordinators;
  • • Explaining and giving procedural guidance and clarification for requisitions issued;
• • Monitors the progress of matters filed in the Matrimonial Registry;
• • Certifies copies of Decree Absolutes previously issued by the Court;
• • Prepares letters or emails in response to queries and requests concerning divorce matters sent in by Attorneys and members of the Public;
• • Assists clients who have been referred by the Customer Service Officer, explaining to them the procedural requirements in obtaining a decree absolute and the relevant laws in relation to matrimonial matters;
• • Attends Court for the purpose of giving evidence in divorce matters brought before the Court for trial;
• • Substitutes for the Registrars in the performance of certain duties in their absence or at their request;
• • Reviews process flows/procedures periodically and implements process improvement strategies, where deficiencies are identified.

• Human Resource Management:

  • • Recommends staff for appointments for direct reports;
  • • Ensures that staff is aware of and adheres to the organization’s policies, regulations and guidelines;
  • • Recommends application for all types of leave for direct reports;
  • • Ensures that Divisional and Individual Work Plans are developed, targets set and performances monitored in relation to direct reports;
  • • Manages the welfare and development of staff through the preparation of Performance Appraisals and making recommendations for training and development programmes;
  • • Provides guidance to staff through coaching, mentoring and other appropriate forms of intervention;
  • • Conducts performance appraisal of direct reports and reviews and discusses performance appraisals conducted by supervisor for other members of the Division;
  • • Consults with the staff to initiate coaching/mentoring, or makes recommendations for staff to receive training, where performance gaps are identified;
  • • Manages and deals with internal and external conflicts, which have been escalated;
  • • Conducts weekly meetings with staff;
  • • Recommends disciplinary actions, where necessary;
  • • Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Required Skills

• • Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
• • Sound knowledge of the Wills Act
• • Sound knowledge of the Intestate Estates & Property Charges Act
• • Excellent knowledge of the Administrator-General's Act as Amended
• • Sound knowledge of the Probate (Re-sealing) Act
• • Excellent knowledge Probate of Deeds Act
• • Sound knowledge of the Executor's Renunciation Act
• • Excellent knowledge of the Judicature (Supreme Court) Act
• • Excellent knowledge of the Judicature Rules of the Supreme Court (fees), 2011 & 2017
• • Sound knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules 2002 (as Amended)
• • Knowledge of Various Practice Directions
• • Excellent knowledge of the Matrimonial Causes Act, Marriage Act, Maintenance Act, Practice Directions and other legislative provisions that governs the family law
• • Sound knowledge of the Judicature Supreme Court Act and other relevant legislation
• • Excellent knowledge of the Organization’s policies, procedures and mandate
• • Good communication skills (i.e. oral, written and presentation skills)
• • Good interpersonal skills
• • Strong leadership and time management skills
• • Proficient in the use of relevant Computer Applications
• • Ability to exercise a high level of integrity and confidentiality on the job
• • Ability to work in a team
• • Ability to use initiative

Qualifications

• • Bachelor of Law Degree;
• • Certificate of Legal Education (CLE);
• • Four (4) years working experience in a related environment at a Senior level.

Additional Information and Instructions

Applications accompanied by Résumés should be submitted no later than Thursday, 17th July, 2025 to: Senior Human Resource Officer Human Resource Department Supreme Court Kings Street Kingston 📧 Email: hrd@jamaicajudiciary.gov.jm 🔑 Please include the job title in the subject line of your email. ⚠️ Note: We appreciate all responses but only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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