Crown Court Clerks

Overview

Our Crown Court Clerks are essential to ensure Crown Court hearings run smoothly. They have the self-assurance to speak in court, communicate confidently with the Judge and all participants and the skill to produce accurate and timely Court documents. Our Crown Court Clerk training programme provides a structured yet flexible approach to building the skills required to perform this vital role.

Working Arrangements and Hours

These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide HMCTS services to the public. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. HMCTS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the 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\\\’s Flexible Working policy. Applications for part-time working would be considered however due to the nature of the role the minimum hours would be 22.5 hours per week over 3 days.

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home. 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 the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles, successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. For current MoJ employees, base location will be the nearest viable office to home postcode. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working.

Occasional travel to other courts may be required. The successful candidate will be based at Worcester Crown Court, with potential travel to Hereford and Redditch within the Midlands Region to support business needs.

Eligibility and Immigration

From 22 July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold and skills level for Skilled Worker visas. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship for a first-time Skilled Worker visa under current immigration rules. The Department cannot sponsor you unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during vetting checks for eligibility assessment. If you do not meet the new eligibility criteria, you will need to consider options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK. Successful applicants must have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and the United Kingdom.

Lead Criterion and Selection

Lead criterion: In the event of a large number of applications, the sift may be based on the Behaviour example (Making Effective Decisions) only. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift where all behaviours will be considered. A sift may be based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions.

Role and Responsibilities

You will be active in court, liaising with the Judge, defence, prosecution, media, and members of the public regarding complex and sensitive matters in a calm and professional manner. You will support the clerking team to ensure the smooth running of Crown Court sittings, intervene in Court when required, and maximise judicial sitting time. You will produce exact and time-critical documentation, including taking verdicts, conducting arraignments, producing Court orders and recording hearing outcomes accurately and efficiently. You will need resilience, be keen to learn, able to multi-task, and comfortable working within processes and adapting to new digital systems as the department invests in technology to improve service delivery.

Your Skills and Experience

• Able to speak publicly and within a court room environment.
• Excellent communication, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to complete documents accurately and to deadlines.
• IT proficient with the ability to learn and adapt to different technologies and software packages.

Standing and Benefits

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to delivering justice and to develop your career within the Civil Service. The MoJ offers a range of benefits including annual leave (25 days rising to 30 days with service), pension options, training, flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and other employee networks and support schemes. Further details on eligibility for Civil Service and veteran initiatives are provided in the job description and related Civil Service guidance. For more information on Civil Service diversity and inclusion, visit official Civil Service pages.