Tribunal Caseworker (Plus Reserves) - Newport in Crawley

This exciting opportunity in the Tribunal Services team which sits within the Challenge IP strand of the Services Directorate. The Challenge Services team manages and administers contentious proceedings in the field of Trade Marks, Patents and Designs. It also operates the Company Names Tribunal. The post holder will proactively organise and manage their own work, to achieve both personal, departmental and quality targets. The post holder will provide support and assistance to inter parties hearing officers and or adjudicators, and advice and guidance to internal/external customers on legal and procedural issues, involving dispute resolution processes performed by the Challenge caseworkers.

Working Style: This role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our Newport Office. The requirement for attendance at an office location can vary by role so we would encourage candidates to discuss working arrangements with the recruiting manager to agree a reasonable balance between working from home and the office.

Main duties consist of but are not limited to:

• Inspection of statements/counterstatements to ascertain whether the correct grounds have been pleaded and notify the parties of any perceived deficiencies or irregularities.
• Ensure that all evidence admitted into the proceedings complies with the relevant legislation and published guidance material.
• Proactively case manage proceedings and ensure that all procedural and administrative decisions are made in accordance with the published statutory requirements, user guidance and within published timescales.
• Set and monitor the evidential timetable and determine on a preliminary basis any request made during the evidential stages, i.e. extension of time and stay requests.
• Respond to all litigants in writing or on the telephone, in an impartial, professional and customer friendly manner.
• Provide support on ongoing transformation projects and being adaptable to change.

Person specification:

Essential criteria:

• Proven ability to make unbiased, evidence-based decisions.
• Strong understanding of operation delivery processes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Exceptional organisational skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple pieces of work simultaneously.
• Good level of digital literacy.

How to Apply: Click the 'Apply now' button and complete the application form by providing the following:

• 500-word Personal Statement: Use this to explain why you're suitable for the role. Structure your statement around the essential criteria in the Person Specification. Make sure to provide clear examples to show how you meet each requirement.
• Behaviours: Provide one 250-word example for the following Behaviour; Making effective decisions (lead behaviour): Explain how decisions have been reached in a clear and concise way, both verbally and in writing. Analyse and research further information to support decisions.

For further information on the sift and interview stages of this recruitment campaign, please head to our 'Things you need to know' section below.

Benefits: Alongside your salary of 29,952, Intellectual Property Office contributes 8,677 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities, 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments (1 day per year) over 5 years of reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave. Learning and development tailored to your role. Family friendly policies that support modern working families and individuals with caring responsibilities. A variety of support functions; Staff Counselling Service, Peer to Peer Support Group. Eligibility for special and office-wide bonus payments. The opportunity to form part of our many inclusive network groups. A range of wellbeing initiatives; Onsite Gym (Newport office), Eye Care Scheme, Volunteering Programme, Cycling facilities. Free car parking is available on site at our Newport office. On-site shop, restaurant and coffee shop at our Newport office.

Please note that benefits may be subject to change.

Selection process details: This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. The assessment process will comprise of the following:

• Stage 1 - Pre sift testing: The following pre sift test will need to be completed and passed before your application will be seen by the panel: Caseworker Test. Applicants to note: All listed behaviours will be assessed during the Civil Service Judgement Test. There are no time limits for the completion of tests. Please ensure you complete the test with enough time to fully complete and submit your application before the closing date. Full instructions will be given at the start of the test. The deadline for completing the tests is the same as the application deadline: 11/06/2026 at 23:55.
• Stage 2 - Sift: An initial sift of applications will be carried out to create a shortlist. This will be based on the evidence provided for the following Success Profile elements: Experience. Your 500 word Personal statement will demonstrate your Experience against the listed essential criteria. Behaviour: Provide one 250-word example for the following Behaviour Making Effective Decisions (lead behaviour).
• Stage 3 - Interviews: If invited to interview, Behaviours and Strength based questioning will be used. Specific information regarding the Success Profile elements that will be assessed at interview will be contained within the interview invitation.

This recruitment campaign will keep a reserve list for 12 months. If you meet the requirements for this role but aren't offered after passing the interview, you'll be placed on the reserve list. If a suitable position opens up during this time, we will reach out to individuals in merit order. The successful candidate would be expected to remain in the role for a minimum of 12 months before applying for another role.

Applicants to note: CVs sent direct to the IPO will not be accepted. Incomplete and/or late submissions will not be accepted or considered. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. We do not routinely reimburse travel expenses for candidates, however if participating in the selection process would cause you undue financial hardship or if it restricts your ability to participate, please contact the recruitment team for more information.

In line with Government guidance, successfully appointed candidates will need to provide documents for our Right to Work checks. Information on this will be sent within the invite to interview text. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, then please let the recruitment team know.

Please be aware that only one application per candidate is permitted for each recruitment campaign. Multiple applications, including those made using different accounts, may result in your application being withdrawn or rejected at any stage of the process.

For more information on the IPO's terms and conditions, please review the attached IPO Modernised Terms and Conditions document.

Security: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements: This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

Working for the Civil Service: 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. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.