74973 - Registrar, Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

£55,720 - £64,135
1
12 Months
London
London
London CTS Rolls Building (Tribunals), EC4A 1NL
Grade 7
Grade 7
Permanent
Full Time
Legal Services

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.

His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service 

Royal Courts of Justice Group, Legal Operations 

Job Title:  Registrar, Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) 

Pay Span or equivalent:  Grade 7

Contract type:  Permanent 

Number of hours per week: 37

Number of vacancies: 1

Reserve List: Yes 

Background:

His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales and non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  It provides a fair, efficient and effective justice system delivered by an independent judiciary.  HMCTS aims to ensure that all citizens receive timely access to justice according to their different needs, whether as victims or witnesses of crime, defendants accused of crime, consumers in debt, children at risk of harm, businesses involved in commercial disputes or as individuals asserting their employment rights or challenging the decisions of government bodies.

Consequently, there are high expectations of all staff regardless of the job they do, and high performance is expected from everybody. The organisation is continuously adopting new or better ways of working to ensure that it focuses on just that which is essential. HMCTS Senior Management Team expects all leaders to operate in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement and empowerment, and by delivering results.

Introduction

The RCJ legal operations group includes all the lawyers working in the offices which support the Upper Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal, High Court and Court of Appeal (criminal and civil divisions). 


The Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) (“UTAAC”) exercises a largely error of law jurisdiction deciding appeals from a range of First-tier Tribunals.  The majority of UTAAC’s workload consists of appeals relating to social security benefits but it also considers appeals in other subject areas including child support, mental health, information rights, special educational needs, and transport licensing. UTAAC also exercises a judicial review jurisdiction. 

A team of legally qualified Registrars work with the Judges and administrative staff to deal with this work. The key purpose of the role of the Registrar is to support the judges of UTAAC in the efficient, just and expeditious disposal of cases. There are eight Registrars who support the work of UTAAC in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, seven based in London (including the Senior Registrar) and one in Belfast.  A number of Registrars now combine the role with fee-paid judicial office, so the post offers significant opportunity for career development.  

Key responsibilities and duties:

•    Case management, providing ongoing high-quality casework throughout case progression, including to:

•    provide clear, prompt and accurate legal and procedural advice to judges giving weight to appropriate issues and key authorities.

•    manage interlocutory and case management issues for the effective conduct of a case, either at the request of judges or on their own initiative, including the exercise of delegated judicial functions.

•    provide appropriate advice on practice and procedure to the Chamber President, Upper Tribunal Judges and Tribunal users, including appellants and legal professionals;

•    dealing with procedural and other issues raised by administrative staff; and

•    promote and practise proactive case management to ensure that cases are progressed consistently and efficiently in accordance with the overriding objective contained in the Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) Rules 2008 or other relevant rules with a view to minimising delay and reducing outstanding cases.

•    Maintain and develop specialist knowledge

•    maintain and develop specialist knowledge in relevant areas of law and procedure;

•    identify developing trends in the case load. 

•    where appropriate, maintain a dialogue and exchange of information with First-tier Tribunals, or other agencies and organisations

•    Legal research as required, carrying out efficient and proportionate legal and other research using relevant and up to date resources and taking into account applicable aspects of constitutional, public and human rights law. 

•    Liaising with the Chamber President and Upper Tribunal Judges to exchange information, provide advice and support as well as attending Judges’ Meetings, User Group and other jurisdictional meetings as required. 

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and to undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post. 

Accountability 

The post holder will report to the Senior Registrar, Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber). 

Location of Post

Located at the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber), 5th Floor, 7 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane, London, although regular and routine working from other locations may be expected.

Required Skills, Qualifications & Experience

•    Solicitor, barrister or Fellow of the Institute of CILEx qualified to practise in England and Wales (i.e. having completed training contract, pupillage or qualifying period of employment)

•    Sound knowledge of public law principles, plus a good knowledge of social security law and procedure and/or other UTAAC jurisdictions will be an advantage

•    An ability to quickly assimilate new areas of law and master and interpret complex legislation and case law

•    An ability to produce and communicate sound legal analysis, using secure legal research, and to advise clearly, persuasively and constructively, both orally and in writing.

•    The ability to consider issues in their practical context and recognise the wider issues which a case may raise, suggesting viable solutions where appropriate and identifying advantages and disadvantages of different courses of action.

•    An ability to achieve the best results from the resources available (including own time) to achieve the targets taking into account competing priorities

Application Process

You will be assessed against the Civil Service Success Profiles framework. 

Experience

You will be asked to provide a CV during the application process in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.

Behaviours

During the application process you will be asked to provide evidence of the following behaviours:

•    Making Effective Decisions
•    Delivering at Pace
•    Managing a quality service
•    Communicating and Influencing

Please also refer to the Civil Service Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf 

Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on experience and on the lead behaviour of Making Effective Decisions. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, where they will be assessed against both behaviours and strengths.

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out in person in London.

Candidates invited to interview may be required to do a written exercise to assess technical legal skills.  

The interview will assess experience, technical legal skills (situational legal skill questions) and Behaviours and Strengths from the Success Profiles framework. 

You can refer to the Civil Service Strengths dictionary for more details:  Success Profiles - Civil Service Strengths Dictionary (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Interviews are expected to take place late June early July 2023.

Salary, Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Starting Salary

The starting salary for this post is £55,720.
 
Flexible working hours 

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. 
 
Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition. 

The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.

Qualifications
Solicitor, barrister or Fellow of the Institute of CILEx qualified to practise in England and Wales with substantial post qualification experience.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.

Expected Early July

12/06/2023, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 74973.
Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

  • You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
  • You were studying abroad
  • You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Making Effective Decisions.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Managing a Quality Service - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Technical Skills
Test Legal Professional Skills
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Written Test - Situational Questions

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.