Service Owner, Tribunals
His Majesty’s Court and Tribunals Service
SCS Pay Band 1
Closing Date: 23:55 on Sunday 16th November 2025
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Contents
Person
Introduction
The Role
Benefits
Specification
Recruitment
Diversity &
FAQs
Contact Us
Process
Inclusion
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Welcome to HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Thank you for your
The work we do at HMCTS has a direct
tribunals ensuring that we provide a
impact on people’s everyday lives. Our
modern and responsive system of justice.
interest in this exciting
justice system defends our fundamental
This role requires an outstanding leader,
role with the Development
rights and freedom and is respected
throughout the world.
able to work with and through others to
Directorate
achieve change. This will involve working
We serve millions of people every year and
with colleagues outside of your span of
are committed to continuing to improve our
control so you will need to hold and
services both the citizens who use them,
communicate a clear vision and galvanise
and our partners in the justice system.
colleagues around it. You will need to be
able to deal with the issues of the moment
The tribunals jurisdictions make important
whilst continuing to strive towards your
decisions which can have profound impacts
strategic aims. In so doing, you will be key
on citizen’s lives. In this role you will be
in helping thousands of citizens receive a
responsible for ensuring safe, effective
better service from our tribunals. If you
running of our live services alongside
think you have the experience and energy
shaping the service for the future and
to take on this stretching and challenging
working closely with policy colleagues in
role, I would be delighted to hear from you.
the Ministry of Justice.
Thank you for your interest in this role. The
Best wishes,
You will lead a team of specialists across a
justice system is an essential public
number of tribunal jurisdictions and in your
Annabel Burns
service, relied upon by millions of people
wider role as a senior leader within HMCTS
and businesses across our country.
you will play a part in shaping and
Director of Strategy, Analysis and Change
delivering the future of our courts and
HMCTS
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About the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is a
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) works to
modern and efficient criminal courts
protect and advance the principles of
system.
major government department at
justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class
the heart of the justice system.
•
justice system that works for everyone in
A beacon for justice and the rule of law:
to uphold the rule of law at home and
We deliver some of the most
society.
abroad; promote our world-leading legal
fundamental public services
The justice system plays a crucial role in
services, which contribute to economic
our success as a nation - keeping people
growth; and deliver accessible and
including courts, tribunals,
safe, emphasising fairness, guaranteeing
timely civil, family and administrative
prisons, legal services, youth
individual rights and giving businesses
justice.
justice, probation services, and
confidence to flourish.
For more information on who we are and
attendance centres.
The delivery of our three strategic
what we do, please visit:
outcomes are central to doing this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisatio
ns/ministry-of-justice.
• Punishment that cuts crime: to rebuild
confidence in the criminal justice system
by protecting the public and reducing
reoffending with a sustainable and
effective prison and probation service.
• Swifter justice for victims: to rebuild
confidence in the criminal justice system
by ensuring timely, just outcomes for
victims and defendants through a
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About HMCTS
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is
a fair, efficient and effective justice system
• driving improvements across all aspects
an executive agency of the Ministry of
delivered by an independent judiciary.
of the administration of the courts and
Justice. It operates based on a partnership
HMCTS is governed by a Framework
tribunals
between the Lord Chancellor, the Lady
Document, which formally sets out the
Chief Justice and the Senior President of
duties and responsibilities of the board of
• collaborating effectively with other
Tribunals. It currently has around 18,000
HMCTS and its Chief Executive. A copy
justice organisations and agencies,
staff, operating from around 330 locations
can be seen on the HMCTS website:
including the legal professions, to
with a gross annual budget of c£2.3bn,
http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/public
improve access to justice
approximately £800 million of which is
ations/corporate-reports/hmcts/2014/hmcts-
recovered in fees and income from service
framework-document-2014.pdf
• working with government departments
users. It handles over 2 million criminal
and agencies to improve the quality and
cases, 1.8 million civil claims, more than
We’re responsible for:
timeliness of their decision-making,
150,000 family law disputes and almost
• providing the supporting administration
which will reduce the number of cases
800,000 tribunal cases annually.
for a fair, efficient and accessible courts
coming before courts and tribunals.
and tribunal system
HMCTS is responsible for the
Our vision is to have an efficient and
administration of the criminal, civil and
• supporting an independent judiciary in
effective courts and tribunals system which
family courts and tribunals in England and
the administration of justice
enables the rule of law to be upheld and
Wales and non-devolved tribunals in
provides access to justice for all.
Scotland and Northern Ireland. It supports
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About the role
Job Title
Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in
Tribunals. Given the changes in demands
line with the Civil Service pay rules in place
on tribunals over time we would expect the
Service Owner, Tribunals
on the date of their appointment.
exact responsibilities to change in line with
Location
business need.
Contract Type
National
You will be a visible member of HMCTS’
This role is being offered on a permanent
wider senior leadership team across
We welcome applications from candidates
basis.
HMCTS, demonstrating your commitment
across the UK. The base location of this
This role has a minimum assignment
to and understanding of HMCTS’ goals.
post is flexible and can be based at any of
duration of 3 years - in line with the
our buildings across England and Wales.
deliverables identified. Please note this is
You will be expected to work across a wide
range of teams to shape and deliver
Please note the requirements for travel and
an expectation only, it is not something
which is written into your terms and
continuous improvement in our tribunals
level of flexibility available as set out in the
conditions or indeed which the employing
services.
FAQs section.
organisation or you are bound by.
You will work in partnership with the senior
Salary
The Role
judiciary, establishing and maintaining key
The salary for this role is set within the MoJ
internal, external and cross justice sector
The Service Owner, Tribunals reports to
SCS PB1 range
relationships. You will actively seek to join
the Development Director and is
up processes and ways of working and be
External candidates should expect their
responsible for oversight of tribunal
responsible for improving operating models
salary upon appointment to be £81,000 per
jurisdictional support for HMCTS, and for
and the development and maintenance of
annum.
leading the development of the tribunals’
standard operating procedures. You will
element of the Service Model. Specifically,
have a significant representational role for
you will lead performance across the Social
the agency on key aspects of tribunals
Security and Child Support and Specials
business and will be required to speak
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authoritatively for the organisation, both
Programme, and other partner
influencing and driving change as
internally and externally, in this area, and
agencies.
necessary.
occasionally more widely.
• Ownership of operating models and
• Using performance trend information to
Key Responsibilities
standard operating procedures used by
develop and implement continuous
• Leading, motivating and developing a
Social Security and Child Support,
improvement across tribunals.
team of tribunals specialists, and taking
Employment and Specials Tribunals,
• Working in close collaboration with MoJ
a wider strategic leadership role as a
whilst looking to deliver continuous
policy, ensuring HMCTS operational
member of the Development Directorate
improvement.
and other issues are fully understood
leadership team with the aim of
• In partnership with the Service Owner
and considered in policy development
improving the productivity of our
for the IAC and ET Tribunal, developing
and by ministers, and providing support
services.
and supporting the successful delivery
and input to policy development.
• Owning the strategy and process for
of national changes, ensuring they are
Social Security and Child Support,
focused on improving and transforming
Employment and Specials Tribunals
service delivery and that they are
operations in HMCTS, and being
aligned with changes across the courts
accountable for ensuring it is delivered
and tribunals system.
in accordance with the aims and
• Leading and influencing across national
objectives of the Ministry of Justice and
and local boundaries, working in
HMCTS.
partnership with the Judiciary, and
• Oversee specific digital products
senior HMCTS colleagues to improve
operating in Social Security and Child
the productivity of our services.
Support, Employment and Specials
• Building, maintaining and managing
Tribunals, in partnership with HMCTS
relationships with key stakeholders,
digital change teams, the CFT
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Development Directorate Organogram
Commented [JC1]: **I will update and anonymise this
before sending to Annabel**
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Person Specification
Essential Experience:
• Ability to think and act in response to
It is important through the recruitment
•
immediate needs as well as strategically
A strong track record of leading and
process that you give evidence and
identifying and working towards longer term
delivering at a strategic level in a complex
examples of proven experience of each of
outcomes
organisation.
the essential and desirable criteria.
•
Desirable Experience:
An excellent understanding/experience of
Later in the pack you will be told what is
being assessed at which stage of the
developing or having responsibility for
• In addition, knowledge of tribunals or
process.
operating models.
experience of another jurisdiction and
•
experience of successfully working with the
Experience of delivering productivity
judiciary are desirable (but not essential)
improvements or using data to design and
characteristics.
drive change with positive impacts
•
Strong leadership skills with the ability to
motivate, inspire and develop a diverse and
high performing team
• Excellent relationship skills with the ability
to successfully influence, challenge and
negotiate to gain the confidence of a
diverse, complex and senior stakeholder
group.
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MoJ SCS Pay Band 1 Behaviours:
You will also be assessed against the following
Behaviours during the Recruitment Process:
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace.
Read more in the Civil Service Success
Profiles Section.
Civil Service Leadership Statement:
All leaders within the Civil Service are
expected to demonstrate the qualities within
the Civil Service Leadership Statement during
their Staff Engagement Exercise.
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The Recruitment Process
•
2. A response to whether you would like to
Recruitment Process
Annabel Burns will be present to discuss
the position in more depth, as well as
request reasonable adjustments during
the selection process. The Disability
The selection process will be chaired by
provide information about what you can
Support section explains how adjustments
Annabel Burns, Director, Strategy, Analysis
expect while working in HMCTS.
can be made to the selection process to
and Change. The other panel members will be • The session will also give you the chance
accommodate a disability.
confirmed in due course.
to ask any questions you may have before 3. You will also need to complete a CV and
Support during the selection process
applying to the role.
Statement of Suitability of 1000 words. It is
important that your CV and Statement of
If you need any support or have any questions • To attend the session please join using
Suitability give evidence and examples of
during any stage of the selection process,
this link - Service Owner Information
how you meet the essential experience
please contact the SCS Recruitment Team
Session
set out on page 9.
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
Application
Find out more information about our
Stages of the selection process
You will need to complete the online
application process here.
Information Session
application process accessed via the
After the Application Stage
advertisement for this role.
• For those interested in finding out more
You will be advised whether your application
about the role, we encourage applicants to This should be completed no later than 23:55
has been shortlisted for the next stage of the
attend the information session on Friday 7
on Sunday 16th November 2025. As part of
selection process. If you are shortlisted, we will
November at 11:30am.
the application process, you will be asked to
complete:
contact you to arrange the next stage of the
selection process.
1. Responses to the eligibility questions to
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an
check you are eligible to apply for the role. interview or assessment.
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Other Assessment
provided in advance. The interview and
presentation will last for approximately 45
Staff Engagement Exercise
minutes.
The Staff Engagement Exercise or SEE is an
What is being assessed?
opportunity to engage in a two-way discussion
on a set topic area with a group of staff from
Behaviours, as listed on page 10.
the organisation. The topic area will be shared
with you in advance. An Occupational
After the Panel Interview
Psychologist will brief you before the
Following the interview, the performance of all
assessment, observe the assessment and
candidates will be reviewed, and the
debrief you. They will facilitate a discussion to
successful candidate identified. All candidates
seek feedback from the staff, which will be
will be notified of the outcome as soon as
considered alongside their own observations
possible after the conclusion of all interviews. If
What is being assessed?
you are not the successful candidate but you
meet the standard required, you may be invited
The Civil Service Leadership Statement.
to have your details retained on a merit list to
be considered for future SCS roles.
This assessment is not pass or fail, they are
designed to provide you with greater insight
into the role and organisation, and to highlight
.
areas for the panel to explore further at
interview.
Panel Interview and Presentation
You will be invited to attend an interview and
presentation with the selection panel. You will
be asked to prepare a verbal 5-minute
presentation based on a topic that will be
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Civil Service Behaviours
What are Behaviours?
Leadership
The Civil Service recruits using Success
You visibly demonstrate the organisation’s
Profiles and Behaviours are an element of
values in all your activity, leading authentically.
Success Profiles used to see whether
You seek to engage staff in the aims of the
candidates are able demonstrate specific
organisation and communicate the
Behaviours associated with the role they are
organisation’s strategy in an inspiring way. You able to embed change, managing risks. You
applying for during the selection process.
create an inclusive and fair culture which
evaluate the impact of change against the
creates a sense of belonging by treating staff
In this process the below Behaviours are most
expected outcomes for service users and the
as individuals and actively valuing diversity
relevant to this role and will be assessed
public.
within the organisation. You empower teams
during the interview stage of the process. The
and individuals to excel by creating a shared
Working Together
definitions of Behaviours are set out below:
vision and objectives and demonstrate trust in You work collaboratively to achieve outcomes
Communicating and Influencing
staff by giving autonomy.
both within your area of responsibility and
You communicate clearly and with confidence, Changing and Improving
across the organisation. You create a
both verbally and in writing. You are open,
supportive working environment where all
You create an environment of continuous
honest and transparent in your
opinions are considered, and individuals are
improvement and change. You see the benefit
communications. You communicate effectively
valued for their expertise and unique
of change and promote this within your area of
with internal and external senior stakeholders
contribution.
responsibility. You identify business needs,
to present information in a convincing and
both current and future, and use this to identify You proactively maintain relationships with
influential manner. You tailor your
opportunities for change, utilising innovative
peers and external senior stakeholders and
communication methods and content to the
solutions that benefit the end user. You are
utilise these to achieve positive outcomes.
audience, simplifying strategic messages.
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Delivering at Pace
You translate organisational strategy into clear
objectives for activity within your area of
responsibility. You promote this amongst staff
and ensure teams take responsibility for
delivering against objectives. You prioritise
competing or conflicting demands, and are
able to decisively adjust activity based on
changing requirements. You manage resource
effectively to enable those in your area of
responsibility to deliver. You delegate
effectively, managing any risks associated with
doing so.
Please click here or more information on
Behaviours and Success Profiles.
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Guidance for writing your Statement and CV
As part of the application process, you need to
experience required for the role and
submit a Statement and CV. Both your
describe the outcome that came from this.
Statement and CV should demonstrate how
you meet the essential experience outlined in
the Person Specification section.
Providing a name-blind CV and Success
Profile Statements
Ensure you read through the role information
In both your CV and Success Profile
thoroughly and identify the essential criteria for Statements please remove references to any
each area. You should ensure you provide
personal information that could identify you.
evidence for each of the essential experience
For example:
which are required for the role in your
• Name and title
Statement and CV. You may not be
progressed to the next stage of the
• Educational institution names
assessment process if you do not provide this
• Age and gender
evidence.
• Email address
• Postal address and telephone number
When structuring your Statements try to:
• Nationality and immigration status.
• Evidence your experience by using
subheadings and paragraphs. This will
This will help us to recruit based on your
knowledge and skills, and not on your
help to ensure you are writing about the
background, gender or ethnicity. Recruiting this
experience that is directly relevant for the
way is called name-blind recruitment.
role you are applying for.
For more information on how to write your
• You should ensure that you detail recent
Statement and CV please visit the Civil Service
and relevant examples of the essential
Careers Website.
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Expected Timeline
We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are
therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates given.
Please note that these dates may be subject to change.
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
Advert Closing Date
23:55 on Sunday 16th November 2025
Outcome of CV and Statement of Suitability
Week commencing 1st December 2025
Staff Engagement Exercise
Week commencing 8th December 2025
Panel Interview and Presentation
Thursday 18th December 2025
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Working for HMCTS
themselves, to feel supported and have a
privilege entitlement to mark the King’s
strong sense of belonging in the workplace.
Birthday.
Our commitment to creating a diverse and
inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our
Flexible Working
people policies and strategies.
While not every type of flexible working will be
Benefits
suitable for every role and business area,
flexible working can take many forms and The
As a HMCTS employee, you’ll be entitled to a
Ministry of Justice is committed to delivering its
large range of benefits which include but are
business effectively and sustainably by
not limited to:
creating modern and inclusive workplaces that
enable smart, flexible and hybrid working.
Pension
For more information on our amazing benefits
The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of
including our Civil Service Pension Scheme,
the best workplace pension schemes in the UK annual and special leave, and our Equality,
public sector. Visit
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing schemes
www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for
please visit our Senior Civil Service website.
Our departmental values - purpose, humanity, more details.
openness and together - are at the heart of our Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday
commitment to create a culture where all our
Allowance
people are able to thrive and flourish in the
workplace.
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a
sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
We want to attract and retain the best talent
This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will
from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
be complemented by one further day paid
We want everyone to be the best of
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Disability Support
What reasonable adjustments can be made • An interview at a certain time of day;
recruitment team at
if I have a disability?
This is not an exhaustive list but rather some
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
examples of how we can support you during
We are committed to supporting all candidates the SCS Recruitment Process.
Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme
to take part in the recruitment process. This
for Disabled Persons?
includes supporting individuals who have a
Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments
disability by making reasonable adjustments to requested, there may be occasions where this As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ
the recruitment process.
offer an interview to disabled candidates who
isn’t possible. If an adjustment cannot be
provided, the reasons for this will be explained meet the minimum selection criteria, except in
If you feel you require any kind of support
to you.
a limited number of campaigns. This could be
and/or would like to discuss this with someone,
in terms of the advertised essential skills
please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting reasonable
Help with your application
and/or application form sift criteria. Within the
adjustments in your application form and
application form, you will be asked if you would
ensure that you respond to the Reasonable
It is important you contact us as early as
like to be considered for an interview under this
Adjustments Scheme team by email.
possible by email if you would like to request
scheme, so please make us aware of this
reasonable adjustments so that the recruitment when prompted.
How we can support you
process runs smoothly for you.
There are many types of reasonable
If you do decide during the process that you do
adjustments that can be made during
require adjustments and you have not
assessment processes.
completed all your assessments, please
contact the SCS recruitment team in advance
Examples of some types of adjustments
of your next assessment.
include:
If you have any questions in advance of
• Extra time to complete assessments;
making your application regarding reasonable
• Providing a break within an assessment;
adjustments please contact the SCS
• Providing interview questions in a written
format at the interview as well as orally;
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FAQs
Can I apply if I am not currently a
Am I eligible to apply for this role?
you wish to make a complaint, you should
civil servant?
contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the
For information on whether you are eligible to
first instance.
Yes.
apply, please visit Gov.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you
Is this role suitable for part-time working?
Is security clearance required?
receive from the Department you are able to
This role is available for full-time, part time or
Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing
raise a formal complaint in the following order.
flexible working arrangements (including job
to obtain, security clearance to SC level. More 1. To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845
shares). To discuss your needs in more detail
information about the vetting process can be
241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00)
please get in touch with the SCS Recruitment
found here.
or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-
Team.
Will this role be overseen by the Civil
enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
Where will the role be based?
Service Commission?
2. To Ministry of Justice Resourcing
If successful you will be based National.
No. However, the recruitment process will still
(resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk)
Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
be governed by the Civil Service Commission’s 3. To the Civil Service Commission
Recruitment Principles.
This role will also require travel to London and
(https://civilservicecommission.independent
other offices across the country.
What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
.gov.uk/contact-us/)
Can I claim back any expenses incurred
The law requires that selection for appointment What should I do if I think that I have a
during the recruitment process?
to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of
conflict of interest?
fair and open competition as outlined in the
Unfortunately, we will not be able to reimburse
If you believe that you may have a conflict of
Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment
you, except in exceptional circumstances.
interest you must declare it by contacting SCS
Principles.
Recruitment on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk
Should you feel that the recruitment process
before submitting your application.
has breached the recruitment principles and
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Data Sharing
We will ensure that we will treat all improve these experiences, and ultimately
purposes of identifying or keeping under
organisation performance.
review the existence or absence of equality
personal information in accordance
of opportunity or treatment between groups
with data protection legislation,
Sensitive personal data is personal data
of people with a view to enabling such
revealing racial or ethnic origin, political
including the General Data
equality to be promoted or maintained.
opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or
Protection Regulation and Data
trade union membership, and the processing of 3. Please note if you are successful in your
genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of
application your sensitive personal data will
Protection Act 2018.
uniquely identifying a natural person, data
be used as part of the on-boarding process
Data Sharing
concerning health or data concerning a natural
to build your employee record.
person's sex life or sexual orientation.
For further information please see the GDPR
To process your application your personal data The legal basis for processing your
Privacy Notice.
will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS sensitive personal data is:
Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members
and anyone else necessary as part of the
1. Processing is necessary for reasons of
recruitment process.
substantial public interest for the exercise
of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the
The legal basis for processing your
Crown, or a government department: it is
personal data is:
important to know if groups of staff with
Processing is necessary for the performance of
specific demographic characteristics have a
a task carried out in the public interest.
better or worse experience of working for
Personal data are processed in the public
the Civil Service, so that appropriate action
interest because understanding civil servant
can be taken to level this experience;
experiences and feelings about working in the 2. Processing is of a specific category of
Civil Service can inform decision taken to
personal data and it is necessary for the
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Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain
and invest in talent where it is found. To learn
more, please see the Civil Service People Plan
and the Civil Service D&I Strategy
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Contact us
Should candidates like to discuss the role in more detail before
submitting an application, please contact SCS Recruitment on
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
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