Job Title: Court Clerk

Grade: Executive Officer (EO)

Location: Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL

Overview

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide support for the legal system across England and Wales, along with non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland, ensuring justice works for everyone.

Our Justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society. It protects some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, from families in crisis to claimants and commercial businesses. We have a responsibility to deliver a Justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

To act as court clerk for CACD and CMAC hearings (usually 1 x Lord Justice of Appeal and 2 x High Court Judges): managing the list, advising on CAO procedures and practical technical aspects, identifying outcomes and recording and producing the Court’s order accurately; ensuring immediate communication of the release order for any absent appellants; operating (PVL) equipment. This will include but is not limited to the following:

• Thoroughly checking case papers and producing template orders prior to hearings, querying with CAO lawyers and HEO case officers as appropriate to ensure knowledge of the cases and potential outcomes.

• Carry out CVP tests for attendees as and when required.

• Managing the courtroom and order of the list, including liaising with senior members of the judiciary, counsel, ushers, witnesses, RCJ Cells, List Office and case officers as appropriate to ensure hearings proceed effectively and judges are aware of the presence of victims or families.

• Daily management of the PVL equipment, dialling prisons nationally for appellants to attend their appeal by video link/CVP; in the absence of an usher, administering oaths to witnesses and managing interpreters

• Accurately and promptly producing own signed orders for CACD and the CMAC and orders for retrial for the Registrar’s signature; identifying instances of immediate release where the appellant is absent and ensuring the order reaches the prison immediately; dealing with any queries on CACD orders.

• Identifying any need for and ordering a draft judgment on cases which remain live after the hearing, liaising with case officers to update them as necessary.

• Updating office database with results; informing Costs section of witness or interpreter attendance.

• Personally, undertaking ex post facto determinations of bills of costs or casework duties to assist other business areas within CAO.

• Maintaining knowledge of sentencing legislation and CACD, CMAC and criminal justice service (CJS) procedures; maintaining a working knowledge of general CAO and wider RCJ procedures.

• Carry out adhoc tasks as designated by HEO and SEO

Essential Skills and Criteria

The following skills are essential for the post and you will be required to demonstrate:

• IT literacy, competent in Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel and Cloud Video Platform (CVP)To anticipate and highlight potential issues. Show an ability to adapt and active problem- solving skills to provide solutions.

• The ability to make informed decisions using all relevant information and knowledge in line with documented processes.

• Being able to effectively communicate to Senior Judiciary, court users, colleagues and senior managers clearly and concisely.

• Taking ownership of incidents and problems and proactively resolving them. Taking full accountability for any actions taken and decisions made.

• Interpersonal skills to establish strong working relationships with team members and colleagues across HMCTS

• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to work with and prepare reports.

• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System is desirable along with experience of sitting in court

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.

Further details

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. Whilst the role is full time only, HMCTS operates a flexible approach to working hours to suit both individual and business needs.