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We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

These positions are available for external applicants as well as existing civil servants on level transfer or promotion. New recruits to the Civil Service joining MoJ are expected to join at the band minimum. For existing civil servants, as these roles are time limited you may be required to return to your current substantive grade at the end of the funding period for the role.

Background:

HMCTS is working hard to ensure our justice system is accessible to all during these unprecedented times. We’re focusing on priority cases, changing working practices and introducing new procedures to minimise risks to the judiciary, staff and all those who use our courts and tribunals.

The need for additional resource across our courts and tribunals services to support our response to Coronavirus (Covid-19) is expanding quickly and we are urgently looking for Crown Court Clerks in various locations across Midlands Region to undertake key courtroom, customer service and administrative duties. These opportunities will be based within one of our many courts and tribunals buildings.

You can learn more about the courts and tribunals planning and preparation for Coronavirus (Covid-19) here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-courts-and-tribunals-planning-and-preparation

We are looking for highly motivated, professional and confident staff with excellent communication skills that want to join us on this challenge to ensure delivery of our world leading justice system continues to serve and meet the publics needs and expectations. We need resilient, resourceful and adaptable people to support us on this journey.

The Role:

As an in court role you will be required to manage the courtroom to ensure that cases are dealt with promptly in liaison with judiciary, legal profession and staff and to ensure that all subsequent results are accurately & promptly recorded in line with targets. Also, to ensure that all ancillary duties are carried out effectively.

Whilst the post holder will be allocated to a specific office base, there may be a need for flexibility to work at other local HMCTS sites / offices. Please note, successful applicants may be required to travel to other HMCTS sits for training.

 

Key Responsibilities

Administration

• To determine accurately witnesses’ expenses within target times and provide written reasons upon request when required in accordance with guidelines.
• Process general correspondence within target, particularly procedural deadlines for any resulting amendments.
• Ensure compliance with financial and operational risk management policies when determining and processing costs in accordance with department guidelines.

Operations

• To ensure efficient through put of listed work in the allocated court room on a daily basis, giving appropriate support to judiciary and keeping the List Office and other agencies fully appraised of developments when necessary.
• To meet with the Judge before sitting and to be available in Court as required.
• To maintain full recording of hearings using the DARTS technology ensuring accurate audio allocation to correct cases.
• To sit in court on a daily basis and ensure that cases called on time, all parties are in court at appropriate time. Correct phraseology used for arraignment, empanelling, taking verdicts
• To maintain the court file including accurate recording of relevant matters and judicial decisions, accurate completion of Xhibit log and Crest Orders and all subsequent forms, orders and results exported onto the Portal within Target.
• Carry out 100% HMCTS assurance programme compliance of all Resulting and ensure appropriate risks are identified and managed.
• Ensure that appropriate codes of conduct are applied to the Courtroom and other areas of the Court premises whilst sitting and during adjournments and to actively intervene and encourage compliance.
• To ensure obligations under the Victim Code and the standards under the Witness Charter are complied with.
• Ensure all court users are treated fairly, with respect and understand how their own performance impacts on that of the court and the confidence of users.
• Take part in and deliver employee engagement activities to effect good working relationships with staff and to improve service delivery and staff morale / motivation.
• Comply with HMCTS values, policies and procedures (including diversity, attendance and discipline).
• Maintain effective working relationships with the judiciary, supporting agencies, voluntary and user groups. Working with agencies to improve the level of service offered to users.
• Apply LEAN principles, tools and techniques to working practices to improve efficiency of operations.
• Perform any Incident Control Duties as required in the ‘in court role’

Team Leadership            

• Lead a team of staff ensuring that its members are organised, and fully skilled to meet their work objectives. Effectively managing both team and individual performance, addressing any issues as they arise, in line with HR policy.

Casework           

• Work with staff to ensuring that casework is appropriately managed, providing information / advice where process deviations have occurred.

Calculations & Analysis 

• Identify and implement solutions to local problems, referring more complex problems to the line manager

Communication

• Ensure effective and timely liaison with Judiciary, Counsel, List Officer, Jury Officer, Ushers and Court users to maintain high levels of court performance.
• Ensure Customer Standards are maintained and improved; complaints and dealt within target and in line with HMCTS Complaints Handling Policy and any feedback on lessons learnt is shared with staff.

Representation

• Represent the function you have been assigned to at an operational level.

Specialisms        

• To have a working knowledge of functions undertaken within the Cluster, to support the development and review of policies and procedures.
• To provide specific functions as directed by line management in line with the SOP for providing that service.

Other duties:

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

 

Eligibility:

Standard full-time working hours are 37 hours per week across 5 days between Monday – Saturday. Operating business hours are between 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and until 4pm on Saturdays. Work hours will be agreed with local line managers and in conjunction with the business needs of the role. Reduced hours working patterns that align with local business needs are available and, where this is required, please indicate your availability in your application.

 

Locations:

Whilst business needs are constantly changing, we currently have vacancies in the following Crown Court locations.

Shrewsbury Crown Court, Preston St, SY2 5NX

Worcester Crown Court, The Shirehall, Foregate St, WR1 1EQ

The application form will allow you to select your preferred location, if selected for employment.

Other locations may also become available and, where applicable, we will use your selected preference/s to contact you regarding employment available at alternative locations.

 

Essential Skills & Criteria:

• Experience of working in an administrative role in a customer focussed environment
• Proficient with IT and Microsoft Software packages
• Excellent communication and organisational skills

 

Application Process:

To apply for this position please complete the online application form, ensuring you include a 250-word statement based on suitability against the Essential Skills & Criteria (above) for each of the following Success Profile Behaviours (Level 2):

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating & Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Further information on Success Profiles and the required standards for this post (Level 2) can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

Please note, dependent on volumes of applications received the sift stage may be based on your statement of suitability and the lead behaviour, which is Making Effective Decisions.

A Merit List of applicants meeting the required selection criteria may be kept for up to 12 months.

 

Reward & Recognition Scheme

Potential to secure up to £2,500 per financial year from individual / team awards for exceptional performance

Flexible working options

HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices.

Job sharing and reduced hours

All applications for job sharing or reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy.

Excess Fares and Relocation Allowances

This job is not eligible for relocation allowances, but excess fares may be considered in accordance with MoJs excess fares allowance policy.