Crown Court Clerks

Ministry of Justice; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental body in the UK is seeking a Crown Court Clerk to ensure hearings run smoothly. This role involves public speaking in court and requires excellent communication, organisational skills, and IT proficiency. The successful candidate will manage court documentation and liaise with judges and other courtroom participants. The position offers a structured training program, annual leave, and various benefits including pension options and family-friendly policies.

Benefits

Annual leave: 25 days increasing to 30 days

Public holidays and one privilege day

Choice of Civil Service pension schemes

Training and development opportunities

Family Friendly policies

Flexible benefits including retail discounts

Childcare support including tax-free childcare

Paid parental leave

Free annual sight tests for employees

Qualifications

• Able to speak publicly and within a courtroom environment.
• Excellent 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.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the smooth running of all Crown Courts sitting daily.
• Produce precise and time-critical documentation.
• Liaise with the Judge, defence, prosecution, media, and the public.
• Take verdicts, conduct arraignments, and record hearing outcomes accurately.

Skills

Public speaking

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Ability to complete documents accurately

IT proficiency

Job description

Overview

Our Crown Court Clerks are essential to ensure Crown Court hearings run smoothly. They have the self‑assurance to speak in court, communicate confidently with the Judge and all participants, and the skill to produce accurate and timely court documents. Our Crown Court Clerk training programme provides a structured yet flexible approach to building the skills required for this vital role.

These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide HMCTS services to the public. Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week. HMCTS welcomes part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns where they meet the demands of the role and business needs and are agreed prior to appointment. All applications for part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy.

Visa and Immigration

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. If you are applying for this role and you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

Hybrid Working

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60 % of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

Responsibilities

This unique position sits at the heart of justice. It requires high emotional resilience, the ability to understand and be sensitive to many, sometimes difficult, issues, and to take a non‑judgemental approach to service users. You will be an active listener and confident communicator, able to speak publicly in court and liaison with the Judge, defence, prosecution, media, members of the public and more regarding complex and sensitive matters in a calm and professional manner. As a real team player, you work with the clerking team to ensure the smooth running of all Crown Courts sitting daily, intervene in court when required, and maximise judicial sitting time. With experience in producing precise and time‑critical documentation, your focus will be key in taking verdicts, conducting arraignments, producing court orders and recording hearing outcomes accurately and efficiently. You will also be familiar with working within process, have the IT skills to adapt to new systems and technologies, and be keen to learn.

Qualifications & Skills

• Able to speak publicly and within a courtroom environment.
• Excellent 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.

Benefits

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years' service; option to buy or sell up to three days per year.
• Public holidays and one privilege day.
• Pension: choice of Civil Service pension schemes.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Employee‑run networks for minority ethnic origin, disability, caring responsibilities, women, LGBTI employees.
• Family Friendly policies such as reduced hours or job share.
• Flexible benefits: voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts.
• Childcare support, including tax‑free childcare.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. The Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy underpin this commitment. The MoJ is a Disability Confident employer and is committed to providing every candidate with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities by making necessary adjustments throughout all recruitment processes and in the workplace.