Director and Assistant Principal Registrar Supreme Courts

Director and Assistant Principal Registrar, Superior Courts

Location – Sydney CBD

Employment type – Ongoing opportunity

Salary – $231,238pa - $256,184pa

Your role

The Director and Assistant Principal Registrar, Superior Courts, provides leadership and direction for the delivery of court services and is responsible for the management of the team of registrars in the Superior Courts cluster.  The role works in collaboration with the Executive Director of Superior Courts in driving strategic innovation across court operations.  

The role is also responsible for the statutory duties of the Prothonotary under the Supreme Court Act 1970.

What you’ll do

As Director and Assistant Principal Registrar you will:

• Manage and develop a large team of registrars in the Supreme Court and the Industrial Relations Commission , fostering capability, driving change, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services.
• Exercise statutory and quasi-judicial functions to conduct directions hearings, conduct mediations, hear and determine interlocutory applications, including the provision of written and oral judgments.
• Shape policy and practice by providing expert advice and recommendations on legal service delivery to the Executive Director, Superior Courts, on complex legal issues that are likely to impact on the functioning of the Superior Courts and the delivery of services.
• Drive innovation and reform by leading transformation projects and contributing to corporate planning for superior court operations.
• Carrying out the statutory responsibilities of the Prothonotary, including the commencement and maintenance of proceedings for contempt and the removal of practitioners from the Local Roll.

What we’re looking for

• Tertiary qualifications in law and admission as a legal practitioner in Australia.
• Proven experience in understanding contemporary court and case management principles, particularly within New South Wales.
• Experience in managing and leading a high performing team of legal professionals.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including the judiciary, senior executives, other managers, junior members of staff and professional bodies.
• A willingness to attend the Supreme Court in-person daily (this is a frontline role that will require an in-person presence mostly in the Sydney CBD with some travel to Parramatta).

Download the role description.

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We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close 08 December 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Rebel Kenna on 02 9230 8333 or via email rebel.kenna@justice.nsw.gov.au.

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Dylan Huke on 0484 362 936 or via email seniorexecutiverecruitment@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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