Benefits Realisation Strategy

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service

Midlands Regional Support Unit:

Job Title: Head of Judicial Liaison

Pay Span or equivalent: SEO

About us

Are you interested in developing a career with a real purpose? We are looking for individuals who are committed to public service and to make a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice. If this sounds like you, please apply.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Joining us is a chance to play a pivotal role in the smooth running of our courts, which give people and businesses access to potentially life-changing justice. Not only will your work be of crucial importance for those who use our services, you will be able to build a varied, challenging and rewarding career.

Overview

Strong leadership is a critical element in being successful in this role. As a manager within HMCTS the jobholder must provide clear direction and focus, visibly championing the changes which deliver greater efficiencies. We expect senior managers in the organisation to operate in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement and empowerment, and by delivering results. There may also be times when it will be necessary to deliver difficult or unwelcome messages. This must be done sensitively, but firmly, addressing any inappropriate reactions or responses.

The key purpose of the role is to:

To lead the Judicial Liaison Team for the Midlands Region, ensuring the persuasive and strategic coordination of judicial resources, and delivering high-quality administrative and strategic support to judicial leadership. This role will report to the Head of Midlands Regional Support Unit and will act as a key influencer between senior judicial leadership and the broader HMCTS organisation.

The Judicial Liaison Team provides critical advice and support to Presiding Judges, Delivery Director, and senior managers on a wide range of judicial matters. This includes overseeing deployment, and strategic planning of judicial resources across the region, as well as managing court sitting days and regional judicial training.

In this role, the Head of Judicial Liaison will act as a persuasive and effective liaison between senior judiciary and the wider HMCTS structure, ensuring the seamless integration of operational and strategic goals.

Actively promote a close working relationship between HMCTS and the Presiding Judges (PJJs)
Provide confidential support to the PJJs in the management of their business to promote partnership working with HMCTS.
Support the Head of Regional Support Unit.
Advise on strategy relating to the deployment of judicial resources across the region including judicial competition planning and forecasting.
Manage the High Court itineraries to ensure that the business needs of the region are met.
Lead the team responsible for the day-to-day deployment of Circuit Judges, District Judges, Recorders and Deputy District Judges on behalf of the Presiding Judges
Manage the provision of advice and intervention on listing co-ordination across the region, to ensure that use of judicial resource and courtroom capacity is maximised and to anticipate and take steps to avoid workload/capacity pressures.
Engage and work directly with the Delivery Director, Head of RSU, Head of Service Performance and Improvement, Head of Operations, and Deputy Head of Operations and Operations Managers to ensure that the needs of the business are anticipated and met in relation to the judicial deployment of salaried and fee paid judiciary.

The scope and responsibility of this role may grow in the future.

Key responsibilities

Operations	Support the Delivery Director in his/her activities with the PJJs and in relation to partnership working with the judiciary. Provide information, briefings, and advice to the Judiciary, including the PJJs as required. Deliver value for money in terms of use of judicial resources. Provide advice and guidance on judicial forecasting and use of judicial resources. Manage the judicial business planning and bidding process. Apply Continuous Improvement principles, tools, and techniques to working practices to improve efficiency of operations.
Team leadership	Lead the Judicial Liaison Team. Provide advice, guidance, and leadership support to the wider regional team. Role model leadership behaviours, both within the Regional Support Unit and across the Region.
Developing new policies / processes, etc.	Implement new processes and procedure in alignment with business objectives. Research on best practice and make recommendations on continuous improvement initiatives. Embed Continuous Improvement principles, tools and techniques across all local administrative processes ensuring the team applies efficient working practices to manage workload pressures and expanding/fluctuating responsibilities. Ensure that the Delivery Director, Head of Service Performance and Improvement, Head of Operations, and Deputy Head of Operations are briefed effectively on current judicial issues by identifying the key points, advising as to action taken, updating as to progress and deadlines and proposing alternative/remedial action as necessary. Provide advice to the Delivery Director, Head of Service Performance and Improvement, Head of Operations, and Deputy Head of Operations on strategy related to the deployment, forecasting, and bidding for judicial resources.
Specialisms	Research and provide advice on terms and conditions related to deployment and judicial HR issues, ensuring liaison with other divisions with expert knowledge.
Financial authority	Work with the Delivery Director, Head of RSU & Regional Finance Business Partner in consultation with PJJs to ensure that judicial resources are deployed across the region to enable the delivery of consistent standards and the achievement of HMCTS strategic objectives. Accountability for judicial resources (including bidding, forecasting/profiling, and management). Work with the RSU & the Corporate Finance team to ensure robust management and financial information in relation to the judicial budgets

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Location of Post

The postholder can be based at any location in the Midlands Region, but regular travel to the Regional Support Unit the Lewis Building, Priory Court, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6DS (two days per week) and to other locations across the Midlands will be required. Occasional travel to London will also be required.

Flexible working options

Hybrid Working arrangements are available when business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different Midlands Regional 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.

Job sharing and reduced hours.

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 30 hours per week over 5 days. All applications for reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy.

Lead Criterion

A sift based on the lead behaviour (Leadership) may be held if a large number of applications are received.