Tribunal Caseworker (Plus Reserves) - Newport in Fisher

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.

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.

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.
• 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.