24876 - Judicial Assistants in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
The key purpose of the role is to
The role of the Judicial Assistant is to work with their assigned supervising Lord or Lady Justice of Appeal assisting in the preparation of appeals for hearing before a constitution of the full court by analysis of the appeal papers, legal research and the drafting of case summaries. Judicial Assistants also prepare summaries in applications for permission to appeal for submission to a single Lord or Lady Justice of Appeal. From time to time Judicial Assistants are requested to assist with research into specific subjects of interest in the law or administration of justice.
Background
Her 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.
Overview
The Court of Appeal Civil Division hears appeals across all civil jurisdictions including in the following areas: immigration and asylum, family, judicial review, possession, commercial, defamation, personal injury, insolvency and employment. In the majority of cases it is the final court of appeal. The Civil Appeals Office provides administrative and legal support to the Court of Appeal Civil Division.
Key responsibilities
Preparation of Case Summaries
Prepare case summaries for applications for permission to appeal and full appeals (which are known as bench memoranda). Case summaries and bench memoranda will include an accurate and concise statement of the background facts, a summary of the decision of the lower court or tribunal, a summary of the grounds of appeal and an opinion on the merits of the appeal or application.
Legal Research/Speech writing
Complete legal research into specific subjects of interest in the law or the administration of justice as requested by the supervising Lord Justice the Judicial Assistant is assigned to work for. Occassionally Judicial Assistants are requested to assist in preparing a speech to be given by their assigned Supervising Lord Justice.
Develop and apply legal skills
Use knowledge of the legal issues specific to the work of the court to carry out the Judicial Assistant role.
Working as a team
Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other Judicial Assistants, the case lawyers within the Civil Appeals Office and the Civil Appeals administrative team.
Skills & qualifications
Candidates are required to have an excellent degree (2:1 or better).
Candidates will also be required to demonstrate the following:
- Practical experience of legal research.
- Ability to articulate issues effectively and get to the heart of complex issues both orally and in writing.
- Excellent written skills are essential as well as excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure, possibly in the face of competing demands and short deadlines
Other duties
The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.
Location of Post
Located within the Royal Courts of Justice.
Relevant Civil Service competencies
Making Effective Decisions
- Identify the main issues in complex problems; clarify understanding or stakeholder expectations, to seek best option.
- Make difficult decisions by pragmatically weighing the complexities involved against the need to act.
Building Capability for all
- Taking responsibility for the quality of own work and seeking opportunities for improvement through continuous learning.
- Encourage and be open to developmental feedback from others.
Managing a Quality Service
- Ensure delivery of professional excellence and expertise.
- Work with team to set priorities, create clear plans and manage all work to meet the needs of the court users.
- Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory requirements in service delivery and build diversity and equality considerations into plans.
Collaborating and Partnering
- Act as a team player, investing time to generate a common focus and genuine team spirit.
- Encourage collaborative team working within own team and across the department.
- Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes.
Legal Professional Skills
- Produce sound analysis using secure legal research.
Excess Fares and Relocation Allowances
This job is not eligible for relocation allowances but excess fares may be considered in accordance with MoJs excess fares allowance policy.
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 salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- 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.
22/03/2019, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 22nd March 2019 at 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.
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.
Candidate Information
You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:
- An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
- A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.
During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.
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
Interview stage assessments
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.