CHIEF JUSTICE
ST HELENA, ASCENSION & TRISTAN da CUNHA, SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
START DATE 1 APRIL 2026 FOR AN INITIAL FIVE-YEAR FIXED TERM PERIOD OR ON REACHING THE APPLICANTS 70th BIRTHDAY, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.
St Helena is one of three islands that form part of the United Kingdom Overseas Territorial Grouping: St Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, in the South Atlantic Ocean. The legal systems of the territory are based on English law, as modified by various local enactments.
Of the three, St Helena is the largest by geographical area, population and judicial caseload. The Supreme Court usually sits once or twice a year, with much business handled remotely, however there will be chance to visit the island for court sitting. The duration of sitting will depend on business needs; this could be approximately four weeks per sitting. Interlocutory applications can be dealt with remotely and can be frequent, and appeals are normally determined on written submissions. The frequency of sittings of the locally constituted Magistrates’ Court varies.
The Supreme Court deals with the most serious cases and as its only judge, you must be prepared to deal with cases in unfamiliar legal areas and diversify your knowledge. St. Helena really is a unique place for a unique career.
You will also be appointed President of the Judicial Services Commission, recommending the appointment of all judicial officers and equal rights commissioners to the Governor. As head of the judiciary you will have an overarching responsibility of the Chief and Lay Magistrates.
You will be a Solicitor or Barrister qualified in England and Wales, or comparably qualified in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or a Commonwealth or EU jurisdiction, and have a substantial background in civil and criminal work and are eligible for appointment to judicial office. Current experience in judicial or quasi-judicial office must be supported by authority to sit on cases involving serious sexual offences and on civil cases with a minimum of 30 days sitting experience.
In addition, you must demonstrate our core values of fairness, integrity and teamwork and use your diverse expertise and experiences to ensure your time on the Island has the broadest benefit to St Helena.
Our Benefits Package Includes:
- Retainer £30k per annum
- Sitting Rate £600 per day
- Subsistence £30 per day
- Accommodation and utilities provided during on island visits
- Pension contribution 7.5%
- Car and chauffeur for official business on island
- Economy class travel to St Helena
How to Apply:
For further information you may contact Kedell Worboys on 0203 818 7610 or 07989404654 or via email: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com.
Applicants should send their CV, a statement of suitability and examples of how they meet the required competencies/skills and abilities required for the role to Kedell Worboys, SHG UK Representative at shgukrep@sthelenagov.com. All applications will be acknowledged. Closing date for applications: 13:00 GMT Thursday, 20 November.
Interviews will be held in London week commencing 1 December 2025. The Public Service positively accepts applications from all members of the community regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and will consider all applications on the basis of merit, in accordance with the person specification.
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