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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725 Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
10-Oct-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
10257

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The key purpose of the role 

A professionally qualified lawyer with extensive experience in the area of Magistrates’ Court jurisdictions, this role will report to the Legal and Professional Services Lead in the National Legal Operations Team and will support in the provision of legal subject matter expertise to HMCTS, MoJ and other agencies. 

The Legal and Professional Services Manager will support the professional infrastructure of staff authorised to provide advice and exercise judicial functions in courts and tribunals, and work to improve efficiency and effectiveness by contributing to and supporting the implementation of change. The role holder will deal with issues affecting the strategic direction of core areas of legal and professional services. 

They will provide support to knowledge networks, particularly the Legal Advisers’ and Court Officers’ Service or JCS (formerly the Justices’ Clerks’ Society), to carry out the functions of an officer authorised by the Lord Chief Justice under s. 29 of the Courts Act 2003 to direct other authorised officers.  

This is a national role in legal operations supporting the highest standards of knowledge management and quality assurance over procedural compliance and legal advice given by authorised court officers in the Magistrates’ Court. 

Key Accountabilities  

 Providing legal subject matter expertise in Magistrates’ Courts jurisdictions as follows: 

  • Providing legal expertise and information to help support Legal & Professional Services Lead, the Civil Family & Tribunals Head of Legal Operations (CFT HoLO), MoJ Policy and Policy teams in other government departments to draft and introduce legislation which affects the Magistrates’ and Crown Court.  
  • Undertake research to provide specialist advice and guidance to support the Legal & Professional Services Lead and MoJ Policy to provide answers to ministerial correspondence and oral questions during passage of legislation.  
  • Ensure the guidance and knowledge content in the digital knowledge resources is kept up to date and suitably disseminated to Legal Advisers to enable them to have access to the latest and most accurate information to discharge their responsibilities, and to support the work of JCS committees.   
  • Contribute to implementation of the government’s legislative agenda and initiatives affecting the Magistrates’ courts, supporting national working groups with other Justice Partners, assisting in drafting of statutory guidance materials and the creation of operational processes and guidance to HMCTS staff   
  • Support the planning and implementation of Magistrates’ Courts and civil tribunals legislative and procedural change, monitoring performance and legal compliance to ensure the changes are effective in meeting requirements.  
  • Responsible for creating, designing and building legal business solutions for effective performance in the Magistrates’ Courts and advising on best practice and compliance  
  • Support feedback loops on sentencing guidelines, researching and using legal knowledge and expertise to contribute to accurate and effective implementation of these. 
  • Maintain a strong and effective working relationship with Judicial College and support in the critical read of magistrate and legal adviser materials. Provide legal advice to HMCTS legal and administrative teams as queries arise and providing legal guidance to support implementation of legislative change.  
  • Support the creation, and continuous improvement, of operational processes in the Magistrates courts to ensure legal compliance.  
  • Research and provide specialist advice to, and support the drafting of legal guidance materials for, Magistrates’ & Family court legal teams  
  • Assist the ministerial correspondence team to draft replies and answers to written parliamentary questions by providing specialist and professional advice and guidance to inform the content of the correspondence.  Complete Freedom of Information Act replies as required, researching and collating data to provide responses in line with the requirements for compliance.  
  • Support impact evaluations of new legislation on Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.  
  • Identify and work alongside regional Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) to support HMCTS and Justice Partners’ project work and pilots by ensuring project delivery, managing communications and obtaining feedback. 
  • Support business planning, setting and adjusting priorities to meet business and operational needs, identifying and initiating corrective actions to address problems that arise.  
  • Identifying implications of Departmental and political priorities and flagging to the Legal and Professional Services Lead to ensure plans and activities reflect these.  

Knowledge, Skills and experience required; 

  • Role holder will need to be a professionally qualified (solicitor, barrister, or CILEx) and have extensive experience as a magistrates’ courts legal adviser  
  • Extensive up to date knowledge of law affecting Magistrates’ Courts jurisdictions including legislation, rules practice directions and case law  
  • Extensive knowledge of Magistrates’ court operational processes, legal procedures and administrative functions.  
  • Eye for detail including ability to read and interpret complex legislation with precision.  
  • Ability to draft legal guidance accurately and succinctly in a manner to enable ease of understanding by legal and administrative staff.  
  • Ability to plan ahead and create plans to manage multiple projects across varying timescales to ensure effective prioritisation to ensure business objectives are met 
  • Ability to manage own time and workload independently  
  • This is a specialist legal post and the role holder must fulfil the eligibility requirement for appointment to HMCTS as a lawyer with 5 years post qualification experience 

How to apply

  • Submit the statement of suitability (maximum 500 words).
  • Complete the legal research & drafting exercise (maximum 2000 words) and submit this by email to hqlegal@justice.gov.uk

Your application and the legal research & drafting exercise must both be submitted before the closing date.

Please refer to the attached role profile for more information

Technical 1

Please refer to the legal research & drafting exercise attachment in the job advert.
As part of the application process, applicants are requested to draft (with a maximum of 2000 word limit) and submit a formal briefing exercise. Please ignore any reference to 250 words, the maximum word limit is 2000 words. 
The written exercise is designed to assess each candidate’s depth of legal analysis, legal reasoning, clarity of expression, and ability to identify the relevant legal principles.
You can choose to write on either ONE of the following;
Family: Prepare JCS* Guidance on the rules on self - incrimination in the Family Court (covering public and private law proceedings), identifying and analysing the relevant cases and legislation and providing practical guidance for legal advisers.
Crime: Prepare JCS* guidance on reporting restrictions for youths (covering the youth court and the adult court), covering criminal and civil proceedings, identifying and analysing the relevant cases and legislation and providing practical guidance for legal advisers.

Evaluation Criteria
Written responses will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Accuracy and depth of legal analysis.
- Clarity, structure, and conciseness of written expression.
- Practicality and readability

IMPORTANT: PLEASE EMAIL YOUR COMPLETED LEGAL RESEARCH AND DRAFTING EXERCISE to: hqlegal@justice.gov.uk with the email subject header: 'Legal and Professional Services Manager Legal Research and Drafting Exercise.'
The recruitment team will ensure all applications are anonymised and shared with the sift panel to conduct a blind sift.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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 (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours 

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits 

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension 

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training 

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks 

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.


Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 10257

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 10257

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please submit a Statement of Suitability of no more than 500 words.
Your statement should clearly demonstrate how your knowledge, skills, and experience align with the requirements outlined in the job advert. Please provide specific examples and evidence to illustrate how you meet the criteria and would be successful in the role.
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Please refer to the legal research & drafting exercise attachment in the job advert.
As part of the application process, applicants are requested to draft (with a maximum of 2000 word limit) and submit a formal briefing exercise. Please ignore any reference to 250 words, the maximum word limit is 2000 words.
The written exercise is designed to assess each candidate’s depth of legal analysis, legal reasoning, clarity of expression, and ability to identify the relevant legal principles.
You can choose to write on either ONE of the following;
Family: Prepare JCS* Guidance on the rules on self - incrimination in the Family Court (covering public and private law proceedings), identifying and analysing the relevant cases and legislation and providing practical guidance for legal advisers.
Crime: Prepare JCS* guidance on reporting restrictions for youths (covering the youth court and the adult court), covering criminal and civil proceedings, identifying and analysing the relevant cases and legislation and providing practical guidance for legal advisers.

Evaluation Criteria
Written responses will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Accuracy and depth of legal analysis.
- Clarity, structure, and conciseness of written expression.
- Practicality and readability

IMPORTANT: PLEASE EMAIL YOUR COMPLETED LEGAL RESEARCH AND DRAFTING EXERCISE to: hqlegal@justice.gov.uk with the email subject header: 'Legal and Professional Services Manager Legal Research and Drafting Exercise.'
The recruitment team will ensure all applications are anonymised and shared with the sift panel to conduct a blind sift.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Online interviews expected to take place in October 2025
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard