24426 - Assistant Tipstaff

Background

The role of the Tipstaff dates back to the 13th century and is the oldest Law Enforcement post in the jurisdiction of England and Wales. It is the Law Enforcement Officer to the Senior Courts located at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. This role will assist the Tipstaff to carry out those duties.

The key purpose of the role

This is a high profile and unique post and an excellent opportunity to be involved in civil law enforcement at the highest level. The role involves the execution of court orders and warrants of arrest across all civil divisions of the Senior Courts (Queens Bench, Chancery, Family, Bankruptcy and Insolvency).

Working at the direction of the senior judiciary of the Family Division you will be required to execute orders for the removal of children from parents in domestic child abduction cases including those with an international element under the Hague Convention and other provisions.

The working environment can be highly pressurised. You will need to be motivated and committed to providing a high level of customer service. In addition you must be able to work varied hours including being on-call outside of normal business hours on a rota basis for a minimum of 26 weeks per year. You must be prepared to remain within a 50 mile radius of your own home when on-call to ensure a quick response to call outs. (On-call allowance payable).

The post holder will be required to travel with a colleague at short notice throughout the courts jurisdiction of England & Wales in the execution of your duties and on occasions staying away from home overnight.

The successful candidate must have a full driving licence.

Key responsibilities

To enforce Warrants & Orders within the High Court jurisdiction of England & Wales.

• The post holder will be required to travel throughout the High Court jurisdiction of England and Wales to execute Committal Warrants, Warrants of Arrest, Search and Seizure Orders; issued by the Senior Judiciary of the Queen’s Bench, Chancery & Family Divisions. (These duties are carried out in pairs with colleagues. This will involve the handcuffing and detaining of arrested persons, to order of the court and at the direction of the Tipstaff and Deputy Tipstaff)
• The post holder will be required to travel throughout the High Court jurisdiction of England and Wales to execute Location / Collection / Passport orders for missing children; issued by the Senior Judiciary by the Family Division, (These duties are carried out in pairs with colleagues. This will include the physical removal of children from parents, guardians and other individuals as ordered by the court)
• Attends the High Court Family Division Applications Court and all courts where committal applications are heard on a daily basis, or as directed by the Tipstaff, Deputy Tipstaff or Judiciary.
• Keeping contemnors and children in custody and transporting committed contemnors to prison when an order is made. (These duties are carried out in pairs with colleagues. You will be required to drive a people carrier motor vehicle in the execution of your duties as and when required to do so and at the direction of the Tipstaff and Deputy Tipstaff)
• Using a computerised database, the post holder will be required to create new case files; upload data from pre completed information sheets, and transmit via e-mail detailed information to Police Forces, National Ports Office and New Scotland Yard. Create and send letters to solicitors and litigants in person, log documents into excel files. Update e-attendance notes.
• The post holder will be required to write reports and statements for court use in addition to attending hearings in person to give evidence in chief in respect of the execution of orders and warrants.
• Direct and Liaise with Police Constabularies throughout the High Court Jurisdiction England and Wales in the execution of orders and warrants.
• The post holder will be required to carry out the duties of their role outside of normal business hours. This will require them to be on - call 24 hours a day on a rota basis, to the needs of the business. (Minimum 26 weeks per year. Remaining within a 50 mile radius of your own home address whilst on-call).
• The post holder will be required to carry out general office and customer service duties which will include but not be limited too. Taking telephone calls, scanning documents, printing forms, updating e-diary, dealing face to face with members of the Judiciary, Counsel, Solicitors, Litigants in Person and colleagues. For this purpose the office is open between the hours of 09:00 & 17:00.

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.

Key Civil Service Competencies

You will be required to provide evidence of the following key competencies at Level 1.

Effective Behaviour

People who are effective are likely to…

Changing and Improving

• Review working practices and come up with ideas to improve the way things are done.
• Learn new procedures, seek to exploit new technologies and help colleagues do the same.
• Co-operate with and be open to the possibilities of change and consider ways to implement and adapt to change in own work role.
• Be constructive in raising issues with managers about implemented changes and the impact these are having on the service.
• Respond effectively to emergencies.

Making Effective Decisions

• Make and record effective decisions following the appropriate decision making criterion.
• Ask questions when unsure.
• Undertake appropriate analysis to support decisions or recommendations.
• Investigate and respond to gaps, errors and irregularities in information.
• Speak up to clarify decisions and query these constructively.
• Think through the implications of own decisions before confirming how to approach a problem/issue.

Leading and Communication

• Put forward their own views in a clear and constructive manner, choosing an appropriate communication method, e.g. e-mail/telephone/face to face.
• Act in a fair and respectful way in dealing with others.
• Write clearly in plain simple language and check work for spelling and grammar, learning from previous inaccuracies.
• Ask open questions to appreciate others’ point of view.

Collaborating and Partnering

• Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team.
• Get to know fellow team members/colleagues and understand their viewpoints and preferences.
• Seek help when needed in order to complete own work effectively.
• Be open to taking on different roles.
• Try to see things from others’ perspectives and check understanding.
• Listen to the views of others and show sensitivity towards others.

Managing a Quality Service

• Communicate in a way that meets and anticipates the customer’s requirements and give a favourable impression of the Civil Service.
• Actively seek information from customers to understand their needs and expectations.
• Act to prevent problems, reporting issues where necessary.
• Gain the knowledge needed to follow the relevant legislation, policies, procedures and rules that apply to the job.
• Encourage customers to access relevant information or support that will help them understand and use services more effectively.
• Take ownership of issues, focus on providing the right solution and keep customers and delivery partners up to date with progress.

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.

Skills & Qualifications

• 5 GCSE passes (or equivalent) grades A*-C, to include English Language, or
• NVQ Business Administration level II or Administrative experience

Flexible working options

This post is not suitable for flexible working hours arrangements.

Job sharing and reduced hours

This vacancy is not suitable for job share or part time working.