Crown Court Clerks

Ministry of Justice; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Crown Court Clerk to ensure proceedings run smoothly. This role demands exceptional communication skills, public speaking ability, and experience in document preparation. Responsibilities include taking verdicts and managing court documentation. With a focus on flexibility, the job allows for part-time and hybrid working arrangements. Benefits include ample leave, pension schemes, and extensive training opportunities.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Choice of pension schemes

Childcare support schemes

Flexible benefits and discounts

Qualifications

• Must be able to speak publicly and articulate in a courtroom.
• Adept at prioritizing tasks and completing documents accurately.
• Proficiency in IT and ability to adapt to new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Take verdicts and record hearing outcomes accurately.
• Intervene in Court and maximize judicial sitting time.
• Produce Court orders and complete documents to deadlines.

Skills

Public speaking

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

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 to perform 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. Applications for part‑time working would be considered however due to the nature of the role the minimum hours would be 30 hours per week over 4 days. The successful candidate must be flexible to fit with Court sitting times.

Working Hours and Patterns

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. Minimum hours for part‑time are 30 hours per week over 4 days.

Eligibility and Immigration

Skilled Worker Visa: This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas under current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, changes to the Skilled Worker visa route mean the department cannot sponsor applicants unless they held a Skilled Worker visa prior to 22 July 2025. Applicants must ensure they have and maintain a legal right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Hybrid Working Arrangements

MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. The role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Employees are expected to spend a minimum of 60 % of working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Interview Process

Interviews will be held in person and are expected to take place on a date to be confirmed. Requests for alternate dates/virtual interviews will only be considered in exceptional circumstances or as part of a reasonable adjustment.

Behaviours and Assessment

Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace. Strengths will be assessed, but not shared in advance. Learn more about the assessment here.

Security Checks

Level of security checks required: DBS Basic.

Responsibilities

• Able to speak publicly and within a courtroom environment.
• Excellent communication, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to complete documents accurately and to deadlines.
• IT proficiency with the ability to learn and adapt to different technologies and software packages.
• Take verdicts, conduct arraignments, produce Court orders and record hearing outcomes accurately and efficiently.
• Intervene in Court when required and maximise judicial sitting time.
• Adapt to new systems and technologies as the role evolves.

Benefits

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years of service.
• Scheme to buy or sell up to three days leave each year.
• Paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day.
• Leave for part‑time and job‑share posts calculated on a pro‑rata basis.
• Choice of pension schemes.
• Extensive training and development opportunities.
• Employee‑run networks for minority groups, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women, and LGBT employees.
• Family‑friendly policies: reduced hours or job sharing.
• Access to flexible benefits, retail vouchers and discounts.
• Childcare support schemes including Tax Free Childcare.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order: Transformative Business Services (tel [phone], Mon‑Fri 8 am‑6 pm or email moj-recruitment‑vetting‑[e-mail]); Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (email resourcing‑management‑[e-mail]); Civil Service Commission (details available online).

Veterans: A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former members of the Armed Forces. Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans.