12660 - County Court Bailiff - Horsham

Ministry of Justice; Horsham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department dedicated to justice is seeking a full-time Bailiff to operate at the Horsham Law Courts. In this role, you will deliver essential court documents, engage with individuals in delicate situations, and maintain a focus on resolving issues respectfully. A full UK driving licence is essential, and you will have the opportunity to manage a varied workday outside of an office environment. This is a pivotal role within the UK’s Justice System, making a positive impact on the community.

Benefits

£2000 annual allowance

Full PPE and safety training

Fuel allowances

Qualifications

• Must have a full UK driving licence for a lease car.
• Should be familiar with using IT and court case management systems.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances is essential.

Responsibilities

• Visit individuals in their homes and businesses to deliver court documents.
• Explain visitation purpose and available options to resolve matters.
• Plan daily workload while being adaptable to short notice changes.

Skills

Excellent communication

Empathy

Ability to manage emotional situations

Customer service skills

Job description

Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going. As a bailiff you will play a vital role in the UK's Justice System working on the front line, dealing with people who are at some of the most challenging points of their lives.

We currently have 1 Bailiff vacancy in Horsham Law Courts, Hurst Road, Horsham, RH12 2ET. Please note, due to business needs this vacancy is being advertised as full time only (37hrs per week).

About us

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide support for the legal system across England and Wales, ensuring justice works for everyone.

Our Justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society. It protects some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, from families in crisis to claimants and commercial businesses. We have a responsibility to deliver a Justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.

Assessed behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating & Influencing

What bailiffs love about the job

• “The best part of being a Bailiff for me is helping people. It is important to empathise and understand people’s situations and be able to guide them in the right direction whilst remaining professional. Every day is different, and you need to be prepared to deal with different and difficult situations as well as being open minded and relatable to people from all walks of life.”
• “Being a Bailiff, you will at times be working individually but we are all part of a team that can rely on each other for support and guidance when we need it.”
• “Many people will work with you to resolve something they may have been worrying about for some time and will be grateful for your input and assistance.”
• “We deliver various documents across our designated area; for companies, individuals in companies and for people in their homes.”

Your role

We understand that this role will not suit everyone, but if you like a dynamic job that has different challenges each day, a bailiff role may suit you.

To be a successful bailiff, you will be an excellent communicator. You need to be able to swiftly assess circumstances, adapt accordingly and be a confident leader in emotionally charged situations.

As a Bailiff you will be visiting people in their homes and businesses. You must be able to calmly explain why you are visiting and what options are available to help resolve matters. You must be able to demonstrate empathy for court users, be non-judgmental but focussed on carrying out your role whilst fully respecting the customers that you meet.

You will be able to plan your days to manage your workload but be able to cope and adapt with plans changing at short notice.

We give you the option of using your own car or, following successful completion of your probation period, a lease car. (UK driving licence required for a lease car) so a full licence entitling you to drive permanently in Great Britain is essential. Fuel allowances are paid. You will receive full PPE and safety training to give you the knowledge and confidence to conduct your bailiff duties successfully. You should be familiar with using IT and be comfortable with receiving training on the courts case management systems.

If you have excellent customer service skills, prefer working away from an office, enjoy working by yourself or in a small team and like your days to be varied, then working as a bailiff may be the job for you.

Not to be confused with private Bailiffs, this role gives you the opportunity to make a difference in HMCTS and develop your career within the Civil Service.

We’re passionate about delivering Justice for everybody in the UK. That means having a diverse workforce that fully represents the people we serve so if you have the confidence and desire to make a difference and are interested in making a difference, please apply.

Please refer to the job description attachment for more information.

Further information

This is a business-critical role requiring full time working hours. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week.

The Bailiff role in HMCTS currently attracts a £2,000 per annum allowance. The Bailiff allowance is role specific, non-pensionable and can be reviewed, removed and/or changed at any time without notice and would end when moving to a different role.

Interviews will take place in person at Horsham County Court, Hurst Road, Horsham, RH12 2ET.

We have a dedicated information page on our HMCTS Jobs Microsite, where further information on the role is available. This includes podcasts from some of our current Bailiffs. The Filepath for this site is: https://hmctsjobs.co.uk/bailiff/

Skilled Worker Visa

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules.

From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place.