Court Associate

Ministry of Justice; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Leicester seeks a Court Associate to ensure Magistrates Court hearings run smoothly. The successful candidate will communicate confidently with judges and participants, producing accurate documentation and supporting court operations. This full-time role offers hybrid working flexibility, requiring a minimum of 37 hours per week. Prior experience in a courtroom setting is preferable, and applicants must meet specific documentation requirements. Competitive benefits include annual leave starting at 25 days and pension options.

Benefits

Annual leave starting at 25 days

Pension options

Training and development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Ability to liaise publicly and within a courtroom environment.
• Complete documents accurately and to deadlines.
• Learn and adapt to different technologies and software packages.

Responsibilities

• Communicate confidently with the Judge and participants.
• Ensure smooth running of Magistrates Court sittings.
• Produce time-critical documentation and record hearing outcomes.
• Support the Judge and Court operations as part of the Legal Team.

Skills

Confident communication

Excellent written and verbal communication

Organizational skills

IT proficiency

Job description

Overview

Our Court Associates are essential to ensure Magistrates Court hearings run smoothly. They communicate confidently with the Judge and all participants and produce accurate and timely Court documents.

This is a full-time, office-based role providing HMCTS services to the public. Standard full-time hours are 37 per week. Part-time or flexible working requests will be considered, with a minimum of 22.2 hours over 3 days per week due to business needs. Travel to Loughborough may be required on occasion.

Responsibilities

• Communicate confidently with the Judge, defence, prosecution, media, and members of the public in a calm and professional manner.
• Ensure the smooth running of Magistrates Court sittings; intervene in Court when required and maximise judicial sitting time.
• Produce exact, time-critical documentation, take pleas, produce Court orders, and record hearing outcomes accurately and efficiently.
• Work as part of a Legal Team to support the Judge and Court operations.

Qualifications and Skills

• Confident communicator with the ability to liaise publicly and within a courtroom environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organisational, and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to complete documents accurately and to deadlines.
• IT proficient with the ability to learn and adapt to different technologies and software packages.

Working Arrangements

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working blending base location, MoJ sites, and/or home working. All roles may require spending a minimum of 60% of working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles may not be suitable for Hybrid Working; arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office to their home postcode and on its pay scale. For current MoJ employees, base location may be moved to the nearest viable office within the National Office Network and aligned to the respective pay scale. Details will be provided if an offer is made.

Some MoJ terms and conditions are changing as part of Civil Service reform. Details will be available if an offer is made. Flexible working patterns are welcomed where they meet role demands and business needs, in accordance with MoJ policy.

Other Information

Security checks: DBS Standard. You will be required to maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK.

Statement of Suitability: Your application will be assessed on your knowledge, skills, and experience. Provide specific examples and evidence of how you meet the criteria and would be successful in the role. You may be asked to participate in interviews and assessments in November 2025. Strengths will be assessed but are not shared in advance. AI use and honesty in submission of evidence is required; plagiarism may be checked.

Other statutory and policy references include:

• HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) role in England and Wales; commitment to public service and delivering justice.
• Civil Service commitments: recruitment on merit, Civil Service Code; diversity and inclusion initiatives; veterans’ guaranteed interview scheme where eligible.
• Benefits include: annual leave starting at 25 days (rising to 30 days), pension options, training and development opportunities, networks, and family-friendly policies.
• For moves within the Civil Service or between employers, altering eligibility for childcare vouchers may apply; see GOV.UK guidance.