Court Associate

Overview

Our Court Associates are essential to ensure Magistrates Court hearings run smoothly. They have the self-assurance to communicate confidently with the Judge and all participants and the skill to produce accurate and timely Court documents. These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide HMCTS services to the public.

Responsibilities

• Communicate confidently with the Judge, defence, prosecution, media, members of the public and other participants in Court to support smooth proceedings.
• Produce exact and time-critical documentation, including taking pleas, producing Court orders and recording hearing outcomes accurately and efficiently.
• Work within a Legal Team and with a Judge to maximise judicial sitting time and ensure the smooth running of Magistrates Courts.

Working Arrangements

• Standard full-time hours are 37 hours per week.
• HMCTS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing patterns where they meet role and business needs and are agreed prior to appointment.
• All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ Flexible Working policy.
• The role is on-site at the latest 9:30am; the court finish time means it is unlikely to be suitable for applicants seeking part-days. Applications for part-time will be considered, but less than 4 full working days per week is not available for this specific role.
• Hybrid Working: MoJ offers hybrid working where business need allows. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with successful candidate(s). Some roles may not be suitable for Hybrid Working.
• For nationally advertised roles, successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office to their home postcode and on its pay scale (HQ, Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office).
• For current MoJ employees, base location may be changed to the nearest viable office to the home postcode.

Immigration and Right to Work

• Skilled Worker Visa: From 22 July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold and skills level for Skilled Worker visas. This role does not meet eligibility criteria for sponsorship if you are applying for a Skilled Worker Visa for the first time. Sponsorship may be considered only if you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025.
• If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, raise this during vetting checks for eligibility assessment.
• If you do not meet the new eligibility criteria or transitional provisions, consider your options for obtaining/maintaining the right to work in the UK, in light of changes.

Other Information

• New civil servants joining MoJ are expected to join at band minimum. The MoJ supports flexible working arrangements and other terms under Civil Service reform changes.
• Working arrangements and eligibility for flexible benefits, including family-friendly policies, pension schemes, training, networks, and childcare considerations, are described in the information provided.
• Evidence and assessment for the role include a Statement of Suitability, interview, and behavioural assessments (Communicating and Influencing; Working Together; Delivering at Pace).
• Use of Artificial Intelligence: applicants should ensure that any submitted evidence is truthful and accurate; plagiarism and AI-generated content presented as one’s own is disallowed.
• Level of security checks: DBS Standard.

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 committed to public service to deliver justice.

Qualifications / Skills

• Confident verbal communication and ability to liaise with Judges and court participants in a calm, professional manner.
• Team player with ability to work within a Legal Team and support the Judge to ensure smooth court operations.
• Experience in producing accurate, time-critical documents and recording hearing outcomes.
• Resilience and willingness to learn; comfortable working within processes and adapting to new digital solutions.
• Excellent customer service, communication, organisational and prioritisation skills; ability to complete documents accurately and to deadlines.
• IT proficiency and ability to learn and adapt to different technologies and software packages.

Benefits and additional information: Civil Service terms, annual leave, pension options, training opportunities, networks for employee groups, and family-friendly policies.