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General Information

Salary
£49,325 - £53,081
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
26-May-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17469

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Proud to serve. Proud to keep justice going

Background 

His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  It provides a fair, efficient and effective justice system delivered by an independent judiciary. HMCTS aims to ensure that all citizens receive timely access to justice according to their different needs, whether as victims or witnesses of crime, defendants accused of crime, consumers in debt, children at risk of harm, businesses involved in commercial disputes or as individuals asserting their employment rights or challenging the decisions of government bodies. 

HMCTS is undertaking an ambitious reform programme. The programme will enhance the provision of a world-class justice system, in a manner that provides an improved user experience at reduced cost to the taxpayer. This will contribute to consolidating the UK’s position at the forefront of an increasingly competitive international legal market as well as ensuring access to justice for all.

The programme includes creating high quality digital services, modernising the court estate, updating and replacing its technology, speeding up and streamlining working practices, refurbishing buildings to reduce maintenance costs and provide much improved services for service users, especially vulnerable witnesses and victims. 

Consequently, there are high expectations of all staff regardless of the job they do, and high performance is expected from everybody. The organisation is continuously adopting new or better ways of working to ensure that it focuses on just that which is essential. HMCTS senior management expects all leaders to operate in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement and empowerment, and by delivering results. 

Role overview

The SEO Lawyer will play a key role in supporting the effective administration of justice in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division (CACD) providing high quality legal casework, case management and procedural advice in support of judicial decision-making. The jurisdiction of the CACD is primarily to determine appeals from the Crown Court and to provide guidance on criminal legislation, case law and procedure. For the majority of defendants, it is the final court of appeal. The Criminal Appeal Office (CAO) provides administrative and legal support to the CACD and to the Court Martial Appeals Court.

The role is designed as a developmental legal position, offering exposure to appellate and tribunal work, complex procedural environments, and close working relationships with the judiciary, senior lawyers and operational colleagues. 

Key responsibilities

Core responsibilities

  • Case management:
    Manage and progress allocated cases effectively, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, procedural rules and practice directions, and supporting the timely and just determination of proceedings.
  • Legal analysis and advice:
    Identify, analyse and clearly articulate legal and procedural issues arising in cases, including undertaking legal research and providing accurate, well‑reasoned advice to senior lawyers, judiciary and court users as appropriate.
  • Preparation of legal materials:
    Prepare high‑quality written products such as case summaries, procedural notes, draft directions, recommendations or other materials to support judicial consideration and decision‑making.
  • Procedural guidance:
    Provide advice and guidance on court or tribunal procedure to colleagues, professional court users and litigants in person, ensuring clarity, consistency and fairness.
  • Judicial support:
    Work closely with the judiciary, senior legal managers and colleagues to ensure cases are ready for hearing or determination, and that issues are clearly identified and appropriately presented.
  • Continuous professional development:
    Maintain and develop specialist legal knowledge and skills relevant to the jurisdiction, keeping up to date with changes in law, procedure and practice, and meeting applicable CPD requirements.
  • Flexible contribution:
    Undertake such other duties as reasonably required which are commensurate with the grade and nature of the role.

Jurisdiction‑specific responsibilities

  • Exercise delegated case management or decision‑making functions, where formally authorised and appropriately trained.
  • Proactively identify risks, delays or barriers to effective case progression across a caseload or work area and take action to address these.
  • Manage more complex, sensitive or high‑profile cases, with appropriate support and oversight.
  • Contribute to training, guidance or knowledge‑sharing activity, including supporting the design or delivery of legal or procedural training.
  • Participate in or lead small development or improvement projects that enhance the efficiency, quality or user experience of court or tribunal processes.

Working relationships

SEO Lawyers work closely with:

  • Judiciary
  • Senior Legal Managers and Grade 7 Lawyers
  • Administrative teams
  • Professional court users and litigants in person

The role requires strong collaboration, sound judgement and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

Skills, knowledge and experience

Experience: A Lawyer will be expected to have knowledge, skills and experience and provide evidence at both the sift and interview stages which include: 

Essential

  • Legally qualified as a Solicitor or Barrister of England and Wales, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX/CILEX Lawyer), having completed the required training contract, pupillage or qualifying period of employment.
  • Strong legal analytical skills, with the ability to identify key issues, apply relevant law and procedure, and exercise sound judgement.
  • Clear and effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal or procedural matters concisely.
  • Good organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
  • The ability to work collaboratively, professionally and with integrity in a judicial environment.
  • IT competence and the ability to use legal research tools effectively.

Desirable

  • Experience of appellate, tribunal or complex casework
  • Knowledge of criminal law and procedure
  • Experience of contributing to training or improvement projects

Decision‑making and autonomy

SEO Lawyers operate within HMCTS and Ministry of Justice policies, legal frameworks and procedural rules. The level of autonomy will vary according to jurisdiction, experience and role requirements. All role holders are expected to exercise appropriate professional judgement and seek guidance where required.

Where delegated functions are exercised, these will be subject to formal authorisation, training and assurance arrangements.

Interview

If invited to interview, this will include a 1 hour assessment (drafting and legal risk) followed by a 1 hour interview.

  • The required reading for the drafting assessment will be sent to you via email one week prior to the interview. A set of questions will be provided at interview, and you will need to provide your answers in writing.
  • At interview you will be provided with a set of legal risk scenarios and asked to consider your answers to the questions (to be discussed in interview).
  • At the end of the hour, you will provide your written answers to the drafting assessment to the facilitator who will pass them on to the panel.
  • You will then have a 10 – 15 minute break. During this time, the panel will review your answers to the drafting assessment.
  • At the allotted time, you will join the panel in person for the remainder of the interview.

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.

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 17469

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, Making Effective Decisions, 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
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please submit a statement of suitability (maximum 500 words) explaining how your skills, experience, and personal qualities make you a strong candidate for this role. Your statement should highlight transferable skills and demonstrate your knowledge and experience.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews will take place in person on a date to be confirmed
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
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.
Technical
1. Legal drafting – a judgment will be provided to the candidate one week prior to the interview. At interview, the candidate will be provided with a set of questions and required to draft their answers (in writing) so that they can be reviewed by the panel.
2. Judgement / analysis of legal risk - a set of scenarios will be provided at interview. The candidate will be required to discuss their answers to the questions during the interview.
Level of security checks required
DBS Basic
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.