OFFICIAL
Administration Officer (Caseworker) - Reviewed March 2025|
Job Title & Grade: |
Administration Officer (Caseworker) - AO |
Contract Type: |
Permanent |
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Salary range (depending on location): |
National - £25,582
Please note that unless you are currently employed by the Civil Service and are earning more than the minimum above, if successful you will be offered the minimum for the grade depending on your location. |
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Location: |
Nottingham |
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Directorate: |
Case Management |
Team: |
Operational Delivery |
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Working Pattern: |
The post is supported by the MOJ flexible working policy and includes colleagues who work flexibly, remotely (as part of hybrid working), part time or as part of a job share etc.
If you are applying for a part time role, please note that in order to meet business demands we need cover for a minimum of 21 hours and to cover 3 days of the week
There may also be a business need to cover full time working hours during initial training.
To meet legal requirements, if you are between the ages 16-18 and you are a successful candidate, you will be required to complete an apprenticeship after your initial on the job training. |
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Reporting to: |
Team Manager |
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Closing date for applications |
Friday 12th December 2025 |
We are an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). At the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), we have a vital purpose. We help eligible people meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal in England and Wales.
Our people are at the heart of achieving excellence. Employing around 1,200 colleagues across England and Wales, we have some of the best People Survey results in the Civil Service and are proud of our supportive, inclusive culture.
We’ll invest in you by providing structured training and development opportunities
This is a great chance to start your career with the LAA and we offer real opportunities to progress and develop your career, either with us or the wider Civil Service if you choose.
The Case Management team is central to the Agency, it is responsible for handling legal aid applications, processing case payments and dealing with correspondence and enquiries received in both Civil and Criminal Legal aid matters. Our dedicated staff ensure that 600,000 new clients access justice each year, while ensuring that legal aid lawyers are paid fairly.
We listen and engage with all staff in case management, ensuring we always value the ‘caseworker voice’ and that this is represented when delivering change. We support all staff in our work, recognising success and promoting a positive and healthy work-life balance.
We have a culture where new ideas are encouraged and appreciated.
Job Summary
Our Administration Officers (AO) are responsible for processing applications for legal aid and assessing claims for payments in accordance with regulations and guidance.
Working as part of a team, you'll manage your own time while helping to achieve operational, performance and service standards within your work area.
Following training you will be required to maintain an up to date understanding of current guidance and regulations in either Criminal Court proceedings or Civil proceedings.
The role can include the following:
making accurate decisions on applications to determine eligibility based on the merits of the case and financial eligibility of the client
make accurate decisions on claims for payments submitted by Solicitors and Barristers to ensure the correct spending of public funds
dealing effectively and professionally with enquiries from customers both in writing and verbally
regular interaction with Solicitors, legal aid clients and colleagues across the LAA and MoJ.
achieving performance and quality targets in your work
ensuring information and data is recorded accurately on case management systems and that case records are up to date.
Being an AO caseworker within the LAA is an interesting and varied role, where you can make a real difference.
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Essential Knowledge, Experience, and skills |
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Person Specification |
No prior experience is required, as full training will be provided. However, we are looking for someone who:
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Application Process |
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To apply complete the online application statement of suitability (maximum 500 words) detailing how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Your statement should demonstrate your ability to do all of the essential criteria listed, using examples can help strengthen your application.
A 45 minute webinar is scheduled on 2 December starting at 10am to allow applicants to discuss the role further. If you are interested in attending, please register your interest within this link.
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Interview / assessment Process - Stage 1 |
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If you are successful through the application stage, you will be asked to show your ability using IT and written communication skills required of an administration officer.
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Interview / assessment Process - Stage 2 |
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If you are successful through the ability stage, you will be asked an experience question based on the essential skills and experience required of an administration officer and 3 strength-based questions.
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Shortlisting is planned for week commencing 15th December 2025
Interviews for Stage 1 are planned for week commencing 12th January 2026
Interviews for Stage 2 are planned for week commencing 2nd February 2026
If you would like more information on this opportunity, please contact - laura.shepherd@justice.gov.uk or michelle.jordan1@justice.gov.uk
As part of our commitment to integrity and transparency, we ask all applicants to ensure that the experiences, achievements, and examples shared in your application are entirely your own.
Please do not use AI tools to fabricate or simulate personal experiences. While AI can assist with formatting and grammar, it must not be used to generate stories, skills, or accomplishments that you have not personally lived or earned.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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 Strate
The LAA’s goal is to build an organisation that is open and inclusive and truly values and celebrates the diversity of its workforce. One that reflects and understands the needs of the diverse society we serve. This is regardless of social background, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, beliefs, disabilities or long-term illness or caring responsibilities.
As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. Under the Equality Act 2010 a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.
If you are responding to a role within the Legal Aid Agency and would like to be considered under the guaranteed interview, please indicate this in your application.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long-term condition and need us to make any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please let us know by adding the information to the applications system or emailing LAARecruitment@justice.gov.uk after you have applied so that we can discuss options with you.
Complaints procedure
If you have any complaints about this recruitment activity, please share your concerns by emailing LAARecruitment@justice.gov.uk initially. We aim to respond to any complaint within 10 working days.
If you are dissatisfied with our response, we will forward your complaint to the Civil Service Commission, an independent body, for review.
OFFICIAL