The Law Society of Namibia (LSN) is a self-regulating body. It was created in terms of the Legal Practitioners Act (1995), which serves the profession and the public, by promoting justice, protecting the independence of the judiciary and upholding the Rule of Law. The Legal Practitioners’ Fidelity Fund is regulated by the Legal Practitioners Act, Act 15 of 1995.
The protection of trust monies held by practitioners in private practice forms an integral part of the protection of the integrity of the legal profession. The Law Society plays a pivotal role in protecting such public funds by assisting firms in complying with the rules and regulations regarding the keeping of trust monies, by providing services to address risk management and by conducting regular inspections to ensure that firms do comply.
The Risk & Compliance Unit reports to the Director, as well as the Council of the LSN and is, inter alia, responsible for ensuring the execution of trust account audits/reviews/inspections in terms of adopted standards and methodologies; assessing risk and compliance; ensuring submission of reports to the Law Society and the Legal Practitioners’ Fidelity Fund in respect of audits/reviews/inspections; reporting to the Director, Council and Board of Control of the Fidelity Fund on a continuing basis with regard to risk/non-compliance/other specific deliverables; ensuring that members of the legal fraternity in all the regions comply with the rules relating to the management of trust accounts; enforcing internal controls procedures at law firms; assisting firms in all areas of compliance with the Legal Practitioners Act (15 of 1995), the Rules of the Law Society and any other legislation that impacts on the legal profession, i.e. Financial Intelligence Act, Competition legislation and the Usury Act; providing in-house training to legal practitioners/law firms on trust accounts and compliance related matters, from time to time and assisting with the development of and adherence of control procedures at legal firms.
VACANCYSENIOR INSPECTOR TRUST ACCOUNTS
Key Performance Areas:
- Conduct the trust account inspections at firms as approved and directed by the Law Society/Fidelity Fund.
- Enforce internal control procedures at law firms with due consideration of the relevant legislation.
- Timeously compile trust account inspection reports, after inspections, for submission to Manager for the attention of the Council of the LSN and the Fidelity Fund on a monthly basis or as required.
- Identify non-compliance and risks to ensure that remedial or disciplinary action can be taken as a matter of urgency.
- Ensure that the trust account inspection report is communicated to the law firm’s partners/directors/sole practitioners and signed-off.
- Timeously follow-up on any outstanding/pending matters relating to the firm’s trust account(s) and on the implementation of suggested improvements/compliance.
- Keep proper records of trust account inspections performed and documentation submitted by firms.
- Assist firms in all areas of compliance with the Legal Practitioners Act (15 of 1995), the Rules of the Law Society and any other legislation that impacts on the legal profession, i.e. Financial Intelligence Act, Competition legislation and the Usury Act.
- Provide in-house training to legal practitioners/law firms on trust accounts and compliance related matters, from time to time.
- Assist with the development of and adherence of control procedures at legal firms.
Candidate Profile:
- A dedicated and hard worker;
- Impeccable integrity;
- Assertiveness;
- High self esteem;
- Exceptional inclination for customer service;
- Must have the drive to make a difference;
- A drive to teach and improve the skills of others;
- Be able to comply with strict deadlines;
- Knowledge of the Legal Practitioners Act and the Rules of the Law Society.
Postion Requirements:
- Fully computer literate.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Namibian citizen.
- B.Comm (Accounting) degree with a minimum of 1-year post qualification experience in compliance management and/or bookkeeping.
Interested individuals should address their application and CV to:
The Director
The Law Society of Namibia
1st Floor, Namlex Chambers
333 Independence Avenue
Windhoek
rsteinmann@lawsocietynamibia.org
Please Note:
- Only suitably qualified applicants will be considered for shortlisting.
- No documents will be kept or returned.
Closing Date: Monday, 18 April 2016
