Legal Admin Support Officer

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS); Bournemouth; Hybrid; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking Administrative Officers to provide support within the magistracy across the South West region. Responsibilities include managing magistrates recruitment, facilitating online interviews, and general administrative duties. Candidates should possess strong customer service skills, be able to multitask in a fast-paced environment, and have excellent organisational abilities. This role offers a hybrid working model with a fixed-term contract up to 12 months and available positions in Bournemouth, Southampton, and Taunton.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave

Flexible leave purchase/sell scheme

Civil Service pension choices

Extensive training and development opportunities

Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave

Free annual sight tests for computer screen users

Qualifications

• Friendly and approachable manner with excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• IT proficiency and adaptability to new technologies.
• Excellent organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Advisory Recruitment Committees: manage magistrates recruitment.
• Facilitate online interviews via Teams and process retirements/resignations.
• Provide administrative support to Justices Training Approvals and Appraisal Committees.
• Send communications to the magistracy and manage responses.
• Support teams in day-to-day running of the magistrates rota.

Skills

Customer service skills

Ability to multitask

Written communication skills

Verbal communication skills

IT proficiency

Organisational skills

Job description

General Information

Salary £25,582.

Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working.

Vacancy Approach: External.

Location: Bournemouth, Southampton, Taunton.

Region: South West.

Post Type: Fixed Term, Detached Duty, Loan.

Civil Service Grade: AO.

Number of jobs: 3. Reserve List: 12 months.

Job ID: 13390.

Overview

Proud to serve. Proud to keep justice going.

Our Admin Officers play a critical role, providing excellent administrative support and customer service to court users, judiciary and management.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. We are looking for individuals who are committed to public service and making a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice.

Your Role

To provide administrative support to the magistracy across South West region.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Advisory Recruitment Committees: manage magistrates recruitment, facilitate online interviews via Teams, use the online recruitment portal Affinix and process retirements/resignations.
• Support Justices Training Approvals, Authorisations & Appraisal Committees: handle appraisals and applications and provide administrative support to the committees.
• General Bench Support: send communications to the magistracy and manage responses.
• Manage the Magistrates Rota: support teams in day‑to‑day running of the rota.
• Occasional travel across South West region for cover as needed.

Required Skills & Experience

• Friendly and approachable manner with excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast‑paced environment.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• IT proficiency and adaptability to new technologies.
• Excellent organisational skills.

Working Arrangements

Hybrid approach is accommodated. Candidates are required to work in the office for 60% of their time. Current policy for hybrid working applies; required to return to the office for 60% of the time.

Employment Details

Fixed‑term contract up to 12 months.

Three roles available:

• 1 contract at Taunton or Southampton Magistrates – part‑time (27.75 hrs per week) with mandatory Monday and Thursday.
• 1 contract at Southampton Magistrates – part‑time acceptable; minimum 3 days including Monday and Friday.
• 1 contract at Bournemouth Magistrates – part‑time acceptable; minimum 3 days including Monday and Friday.

Immigration / Visa

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to 22 July 2025. Eligibility will be assessed in accordance with immigration rules.

Benefits

• Annual leave – 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years of service.
• Leave purchase/sell scheme – up to three days a year.
• 1 additional public holiday and 1 privilege day.
• Pension – choice of Civil Service pension schemes.
• Extensive training and development opportunities.
• Employees networks and Family Friendly policies.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for computer screen users.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are an equal opportunities employer. The role is broadly open to UK nationals, Irish nationals, Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, EEA, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtenstein nationals and their settled/pre‑settled family members, and other specified groups. See full list in the original posting.

Application Information

Closing date: 22‑Jan‑2026. Apply online using job reference 13390.