ABOUT HMCTS
HM Courts and Tribunals Service is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. We work with an independent judiciary to provide a fair, efficient and effective justice system.
For more information about HMCTS and what we do, visit: https://www.hmctsjobs.co.uk/.
OVERVIEW
The role is to provide first line support to a Lord or Lady Justice of Appeal or High Court Judge by ensuring best use of the judge's time, to enable them to concentrate on the delivery of justice. Using your organisational skills, you will efficiently manage all aspects of your judge’s day; this involves administrative duties such as typing of judgments, decisions and orders, diary management, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders including legal counsel, members of the public and other members of the judiciary.
The appointment to some Judges may require extensive travelling with overnight stays during the week for a considerable number of weeks at a time. This circuit work entails staying with the judge(s) and other clerks in judicial accommodation, returning home at weekends.
This is a unique role within the justice system. If you are organised, adaptable and you care about ensuring the delivery of justice then working as a Judges’ Clerk can be incredibly rewarding.
Full training will be given in the role.
SKILLS
- Accurate typing speed of a minimum of 35 wpm, this is tested before proceeding to interview
- Previous experience of using IT Microsoft Office applications
- A high standard of spoken English. You need to be able to understand and assimilate information from various sources and accurately summarise it in a clear and concise written format, tested before proceeding to interview
- A full driving licence is desirable
RESPONSIBILITIES
Administration
Provide a full range of secretarial services; typing of all judgments and decisions; this will include either audio typing or working from manuscript. Keep an up-to-date diary of your Judge’s court sittings/visits/meetings, maintenance of his/her robes and extensive library, co-ordinating visits and assisting visitors plus other office functions.
Domestic duties as required by the judge; e.g. tea/coffee preparation, lunch collection, washing up and dry cleaning and other ad hoc duties as agreed. Transportation of large court bundles around the building, trolleys are provided but some lifting will be required. When judges go on circuit, clerks are responsible for transporting books, bundles, files, computers, robes and other judicial requirements as well as their own personal belongings.
Communication
You will be responsible for the smooth running of the judge’s court commitments whether in London or on circuit. This will involve communicating by telephone, email and correspondence to ensure the resolution of many and varied queries and requests. On a regular basis you’ll be liaising with:
- judges and senior figures
- litigants and members of the public
- jurors
- the judiciary
- court and tribunal users
- representatives of other agencies and organisations
You will be representing your assigned judge at an operational level. Using your organisational skills, you will be expected to efficiently manage all aspects of your judge’s day. You will be required to make decisions regarding changing priorities as they occur, without reference to the judge, and work on your own initiative. In many instances you will be the first point of contact between your judge and others. The need for confidentiality, tact, courtesy and diplomacy is therefore paramount.
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
Hours
Your actual working pattern is agreed with the judge. Judge’s Clerks are not normally required to work more hours each week than the standard working week (37 hours) but there is an expectation that a clerk will work longer hours if a situation arises.
Due to the travelling involved and the variety of court duties performed, this role is not suitable for part-time working or job sharing.
Location
When in London, you will be based within the Royal Courts of Justice or other buildings within the immediate area.
Circuit work
Any judge may undertake circuit work up to 3 times annually for periods of usually 6 weeks. On circuit you will stay at judges’ lodgings on weekdays (free of charge) and will be liaising with the housekeeper and lodging’s manager on domestic matters that may include arrangement of dinner parties and visits.
You will be expected to continue managing the judge’s other commitments while on circuit.
Annual leave
Annual leave may only be taken in accordance with the Judges Clerks’ supplemental working T&Cs. The minimum entitlement is 25 days rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
- Application form;
- Sift;
- Typing and written test
- Interview
Please take note that successful candidates may be added to a reserve list, for a period of twelve months, until a position becomes available.
