29040 - Clerk to Her Majesty's Judges

£26,411 - £30,324
13
12 Months
London
London
RCJ LONDON, WC2A 2LL
EO
D
Permanent
Full Time
Operational Delivery

ABOUT HMCTS

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          RESPONSIBILITIES

          You will provide a full range of secretarial services; typing of all judgments and decisions; this will include either audio typing or working from manuscript. Keeping 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. You may also be required to assist the judge with some domestic duties and errands.

          You be required to transport 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.

          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. 

          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 around 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.

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

          Selection process details

          This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Ability. Should there be a high volume of applicants, the initial sift may be conducted using a lead behaviour. This will be the behaviour which is listed first in the job advert.

          We'll assess you against these Behaviours during the selection process

          Communicating and Influencing

          Delivering at Pace

          Making Effective Decisions

          Managing a Quality Service


          We'll assess you against these Abilities during the selection process

          Typing speed of 35 wpm

          High standard of English; spoken written and comprehension


          Application Form Guidance for Candidates

          Behaviours are the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job. During the application process you will be asked to answer four behaviour-based questions which give you the opportunity to provide specific evidence of what you have done in the past. These questions relate to four behaviours that are critical to success in the role. Your response to each question should be no more than 250 words.

          Typing Test Guidance for Candidates (Interview 1)

          The typing test will last approximately 1 hour. You will be assessed on the speed and accuracy of your typing over two exercises, there will also be an in-tray exercise on compiling information. You will be given adequate time to set up and each exercise will be explained thoroughly to you. You do not need to bring any ID with you to the typing test.

          Interview Guidance for Candidates (Interview 2)

          If you pass the typing test, you will be invited back for a panel interview. The interview will last for approximately 40 minutes and will cover key behaviours and strengths that have been identified as critical to success in the role. You must bring your ID with you to your interview.

          -Behaviours are the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job. To prepare you can think about times when you have demonstrated these behaviours in the past, either inside or outside of work.

          -Strengths are the things that we do regularly, do well and that motivate us. During the interview we will be keen to learn about your natural strengths so you should be yourself and should not try to use pre-rehearsed answers, as we are interested in your natural responses. However, you may find it useful to think about the things that you enjoy the most, both in your personal and professional life.


          Recruitment process

          Submission of application form;

          Application sift;

          Typing test;

          Interview;

          We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. Please note that, whilst we’ll endeavour not to, the proposed dates may subject to change.

          Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Please note that successful candidates may be added to a reserve list, for a period of up to twelve months, until a position becomes available.

           

          Security

          Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism Clearance. Further details can be found here - security check.

          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.

          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

          Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. 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.

          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 any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
          • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
          • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

          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.

          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.

          The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

          There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

          Expected w/c 21 October
          Expected w/c 7 October

          19/09/2019, 23:55 hours.

          If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference - 29040.
          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.

          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
          Communicating and Influencing - word limit
          Making Effective Decisions - word limit
          Delivering at Pace - word limit
          Managing a Quality Service - word limit
          Experience

          Interview stage assessments

          There are 2 interview stages for this vacancy.
          Abilities
          Accurate typing speed of a minimum of 35 wpm, this is tested before proceeding to interview
          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, this is tested before proceeding to interview.
          Behaviours
          Communicating and Influencing
          Making Effective Decisions
          Delivering at Pace
          Managing a Quality Service
          Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
          Additional Assessment(s)
          Typing test - this forms iterview 1

          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.