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General Information

Salary
£49,325 - £53,081
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
31-Mar-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
15812

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Description (JD)

Group/Directorate/Team: SPJ Private Office

Role: Deputy Private Secretary (DPS) to the Senior Presiding Judge

Grade: SEO

Role Title

Deputy Private Secretary to the Senior Presiding Judge

Team/Directorate

SPJ Private Office

Overview of the Judicial Office

(This is standardised wording and cannot be amended.)

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable to, the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.

We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.

See JO staff talk about working here: https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv

Overview of the Team

The Senior Presiding Judge (SPJ) is a senior member of the judiciary of England and Wales. They are appointed for a fixed two-year period.

The SPJ’s responsibilities and remit include:

- Providing support, leadership and guidance for courts judiciary and magistrates, particularly to leadership judges;

- Acting as ‘Chief of Staff’ for the Lady Chief Justice, dealing with day-to-day issues affecting the judiciary, across a wide-ranging field including judicial appointments, HR casework, diversity, judicial security, and matters relating to the court estate;

- Representing the Lady Chief Justice on the HMCTS Board and attending a number of other high-profile boards; and

- Ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the courts, including regular engagement with those involved in the work of the courts, and working with judges to understand and improve performance.

The SPJ is supported in these responsibilities by the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ).

The Private Office team is responsible for providing strategic support, advice, and coordination for the SPJ and DSPJ on all areas of their portfolio.

Hybrid Working Requirement

(This is standardised wording and cannot be amended.)

This position is eligible for hybrid working (current minimum requirement for time spent at base location is 60%, which is subject to business requirements).

Summary of the Role

We are recruiting a permanent Deputy Private Secretary (DPS) to join the Private Office of the Senior Presiding Judge.

This is a frontline role working directly with members of the senior judiciary to deliver their priorities. The postholder will provide a critical interface between the SPJ / DSPJ and partners across the justice system. They will handle complex and confidential issues in order to provide advice and support to the senior judiciary, enabling them to discharge their responsibilities.

As one of several DPSs in the team, you will have day-to-day responsibility for a number of high-profile areas that fall within the SPJ’s portfolio. You will be expected to build a good understanding of these areas, including live issues, challenges and opportunities, partners and stakeholders, and the role of the SPJ in decision-making. You will also be expected to understand the wider work of the private office and will have opportunities to lead on ad hoc projects.

Please be aware that Private Office roles can be unpredictable and may require working long hours and, very occasionally, at weekends. It may be necessary to support the SPJ and DSPJ on visits across the country and therefore some travel will likely be required.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

Key responsibilities will include:

- Establishing themselves as a trusted advisor to the SPJ and DSPJ.

- Providing high-quality briefings, advice and recommendations, and providing challenge where appropriate.

- Supporting the SPJ and DSPJ in managing their relationships with partners across the justice system. Identifying opportunities for engagement with stakeholders.

- Remaining alert to live and emerging issues, dealing with issues on behalf of the senior judiciary and escalating where required. Maintaining a forward look of known activity and ensuring preparations are made in advance where possible.

- Supporting the SPJ and DSPJ to deliver standalone projects which they lead on behalf of the judiciary.

- Building strong working relationships with members of the judiciary and magistracy, as well as officials across the Judicial Office, MoJ and HMCTS. Understanding others’ roles and responsibilities, establishing hand‑off points, and ensuring effective and timely sharing of information.

- Demonstrating collective leadership as part of the management team of the private office, including line management of at least one member of staff.

Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills

- Experience of influencing at senior levels: drafting briefings, providing advice, and making evidence-based recommendations.

- Experience of working at pace, managing competing priorities, and taking decisions in a fast-moving environment.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Ability to process large volumes of complex, often sensitive information across a variety of subject matters, understanding the detail as well as the bigger picture.

- Ability to build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

- Experience of managing projects and/or complex, multi-stranded pieces of work over a prolonged period.

- Experience of leadership and/or line management.

Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills

- Experience of working in a Private Office or providing support to senior leaders.

- Experience of working with the judiciary or magistracy.

Behaviours

- Communicating and Influencing (lead behaviour)

- Seeing the Big Picture

- Delivering at Pace

- Making Effective Decisions

Assessment Process at Application

- CV – not scored

- Statement of suitability – not scored

- Behaviours – if there is a high volume of applications the panel will sift on the lead behaviour

Assessment Process at Interview

- Behaviours

- Strengths

Security Clearance Required

CTC

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 role: 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.

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.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.

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

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.

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.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

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:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

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 15812

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

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Week Commencing: Estimated to be 6th April 2026
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
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.
Level of security checks required
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.