We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
About us
Are you interested in developing a career with a real purpose? We are looking for individuals who are committed to public service and to make a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice. If this sounds like you, please apply.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Joining us is a chance to play a pivotal role in the smooth running of our courts, which give people and businesses access to potentially life-changing justice. Not only will your work be of crucial importance for those who use our services, you’ll be able to build a varied, challenging and rewarding career.
Key purpose of the role
The Court Usher acts as an essential first point of contact for all the court users involved in hearings. There will be regular contact with the judiciary, assisting the administrative staff with the smooth flow of court work. You will meet members of the public and their legal representatives; prepare court /hearing rooms, and complete documentation, as well as ensuring the court runs smoothly and efficiently. You will also carry out some general clerical work as required to support the work of HMCTS.
Although many of the tasks are straightforward, regulated by well-established guidelines and/or detailed instructions, an Usher needs to be prepared to react quickly and professionally to situations, some of which may be unexpected. You will be comfortable in dealing sensitively and professionally with people from all walks of life; many of whom may be vulnerable and under stress. Advice and support is readily available and there is little discretion to depart from standard procedures, which may well require you to take a firm stance when those procedures are not understood or welcomed by a court user. Ushers work within a team with regular management support and are responsible for their own time.
Whilst initially you will be allocated to a specific court or office base, there will be a need for flexibility to work on an ad hoc basis at other courthouses and local HMCTS offices.
Key responsibilities may include:
Administration
• Collecting and delivering files and bundles to the judiciary and clerks ensuring they have the necessary papers
• Providing support to colleagues & judiciary outside of court / hearing times
• General clerical work, including use of computers and Switchboard
• Filling out forms
• Operating recording equipment and maintaining records of recordings of hearings
• Sort and deliver lists of hearings for internal & external notice boards
Correspondence
• Completing standard forms, etc where the information is clearly defined.
• Straightforward drafting such as acknowledgements and receipting, confirmations, court orders, warrants etc.
Post Handling
• Opening, sorting, distributing and dispatching post as required
• Collecting and delivering post from appropriate offices
Monitoring Stock
• Ensuring Court rooms are supplied against requirements for relevant forms and stationary
• Collecting and delivering stationary around the offices
Data Entry and recording
• Resulting, checking accuracy and completeness against guidelines or a proforma, straightforward money handling e.g. issuing jury payments, spending petty cash under instruction.
Operating equipment
• Office and court equipment e.g. computers, scanners, photocopiers, switchboards, franking machines, messaging equipment, tape, and video recorders etc.
Handling telephone calls
• Answering standard enquiries and passing messages to others.
Arranging meetings
• Preparing rooms for hearings, tribunals, trials, meetings and clearing the court / hearing room down at the end of the day etc.
• Using electronic diaries
Reception of parties to court
• Including members of the public, judiciary, juries, solicitors and barristers, the police, representatives of external Agencies etc.
• Providing information related to proceedings, escorting court users into and from the building, swearing oaths etc.
• Calling people into court / hearing rooms in priority order, discussing with Court Clerks and Legal Advisers and liaising with the Witness Service as necessary
• Answering face to face enquiries
• Keeping parties informed of changes eg, of courtrooms and hearing times
Other duties
The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.
Desired Skills
Experience of working in a busy office environment. Ability to use a computer at the level required for the work.
Operational Delivery in HMCTS
This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession. Operational delivery professionals are the outward face of government, providing essential services to the public in a variety of roles. They work in many different departments and agencies across the breadth of the UK, delivering service to customers in
- Face-to-face roles in HMCTS for example a court usher
- Contact Centre roles in HMCTS for example call centre advisers
- Processing roles in HMCTS for example Staff at the County Courts Money-Claims Centre and Courts and Tribunal Administration
Being part of the operational delivery profession means belonging to a cross-government community of people. This will offer you access to information on professional standards, skills development and qualifications to help you continue to improve your development and performance and expand your career options.
