Crown Court Clerk

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS); Basildon; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental judicial service in the UK seeks a Crown Court Clerk to ensure smooth court hearings and manage a clerking team. The role requires public speaking confidence and excellent organisational skills. Employees will receive extensive training and enjoy benefits like annual leave starting at 25 days. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Benefits

25 days annual leave increasing to 30 days

Choice of Civil Service pension schemes

Extensive development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Free annual sight tests for employees using computer screens

Qualifications

• Ability to motivate and support a team to deliver excellent customer service.
• Confidence to speak publicly and within a courtroom environment.
• Excellent communication and prioritisation skills.
• Accuracy in completing documents to tight deadlines.
• IT proficiency with adaptability to various technology.
• High emotional resilience with a non-judgemental approach.
• Active listening skills for handling sensitive matters.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Crown Court hearings run smoothly.
• Speak publicly in court and liaise with various stakeholders.
• Produce accurate, time-critical documents.
• Oversee a clerking team and manage line responsibilities.
• Adapt to new digital systems for justice delivery.
• Occasional travel to Southend Crown Court for cover.

Skills

Customer service motivation

Public speaking

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Accuracy under deadlines

IT proficiency

Emotional resilience

Active listening

Job description

Crown Court Clerk – Roles and Responsibilities

The Crown Court Clerks are essential to ensure Crown Court hearings run smoothly. They are responsible for:

• Speaking publicly in court with confidence and liaising with Judges, defence, prosecution, media and members of the public.
• Intervening in Court when required and maximizing judicial sitting time.
• Producing accurate, time‑critical documents (court orders, verdicts, arraignments, hearing outcomes).
• Overseeing a clerking team, setting clear direction, measuring performance through team and individual meetings.
• Managing line‑management responsibilities and ensuring overall team wellbeing.
• Adapting to new digital systems and technologies as part of the continuous improvement of justice delivery.
• Occasional travel to Southend Crown Court for cover when needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• Ability to motivate and support a team to deliver excellent customer service and achieve effective performance.
• Confidence to speak publicly and within a courtroom environment.
• Excellent communication, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Accuracy in completing documents to tight deadlines.
• IT proficiency with the ability to learn and adapt to different technologies and software packages.
• High emotional resilience and a non‑judgemental approach to service users.
• Active listening skills and the ability to understand and handle complex, sensitive matters calmly and professionally.

Working Arrangements

Standard full‑time hours are 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Flexible, part‑time and job‑sharing patterns may be considered in accordance with the MoJ Flexible Working policy.

Skilled Worker Visa

From 4 April 2024 the starting salary for this role falls below the general salary threshold for sponsorship. The Department will only consider sponsorship if the applicant holds a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before that date, qualifies for tradeable points, or meets other criteria allowing a lower salary. Applicants who do not meet these criteria must ensure they have the legal right to work in the UK.

Benefits

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years of service.
• Pension: Choice of Civil Service pension schemes.
• Training: Extensive development opportunities within the Ministry of Justice.
• Family‑friendly policies: Including reduced hours, job sharing, flexible benefits, and paid parental leave.
• Health and wellbeing: Free annual sight tests for employees using computer screens.