Senior Debt Court Officer

Thurrock Council; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Senior Debt Court Officer to effectively manage the collection processes for various portfolios of debt owed. The role involves representing the Council at County Court and Magistrates Court for hearings. Ideal candidates should possess deep knowledge of debt collection processes and excellent negotiation skills. The position offers generous annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities to support professional growth.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days rising to 30 after 5 years' service

Flexible working to support work-life balance

Excellent Employee Assistance Programme

Excellent training opportunities

Reflective supervision and management support

Qualifications

• Experience in debt management and court processes is essential.
• Ability to handle difficult conversations professionally.

Responsibilities

• Manage the collection processes for various debt portfolios.
• Attend and present cases at County Court.
• Handle Magistrates Court hearings for Liability Orders and Committal Means Enquiry Hearings.

Skills

Confidence to manage difficult conversations

Knowledge of debt collection processes (Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and Sundry)

Knowledge of Money Claims on Line (MCOL) process

Knowledge of County Court processes

Understanding of Charging Order, Bankruptcy, and Committal processes

Experience using negotiation skills

Experience communicating with the public

Knowledge of Means Enquiry process for Committal Hearings

Job description

Senior Debt Court Officer

Grade E

Salary: £39,027 - £44,463 per annum

12 Months Fixed Term Contract

37 Hours per Week

Situated on the River Thames, Thurrock is an ambitious unitary with vision and opportunities for its residents and businesses.

Thurrock's Debt Management Team is a highly recognised service having been nominated twice for the IRRV (Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation) Most Improved Team of the Year Award and was a finalist in 2012 and achieved a Bronze Award in 2013.

The team are currently looking for an experienced Senior Debt Court Officer to join this dynamic team. You will be responsible for effectively managing the major processes involved in the collection of the various portfolios of debt owed to the Council.

Whilst working in the Debt Management Team, you will take selected cases through the court processes by attending and presenting the cases at County Court and attending Magistrates Court hearings for both Liability Order Hearings and Committal Means Enquiry Hearings.

Ideal Candidate

• Confidence to be able to manage difficult conversations
• Knowledge of debt collection processes (ideally Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and Sundry)
• Knowledge of the Money Claims on Line (MCOL) process
• Knowledge of the County Court processes and methods of enforcement
• Clear understanding of the Charging Order, Bankruptcy and Committal processes
• Full knowledge and understanding of the Thurrock Fair Debt Policy
• Experience using negotiation skills
• Experience of communicating with members of the public
• Full knowledge of the Means Enquiry process for Committal Hearings

What We Offer

• Generous annual leave entitlement — 25 days rising to 30 after 5 years' service
• Flexible working to support a good work-life balance
• An excellent Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training opportunities and an established CPD programme
• Reflective supervision and management support

DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at Basic Level is required for this post.

Closing Dates

• Redeployment Only Applications: 30th December 2025
• Internal & External Applications: 11th January 2026

Interview date: TBC

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

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