Skip to content

General Information

Salary
£32,416 - £34,361
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
12-Sep-2025
Post Type
Fixed Term
Civil Service Grade
EO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8045

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Role title:          Judicial Information Officer

Team/Directorate:      Strategy and Change Directorate

Overview of the Judicial Office

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           

Judicial Library and Information Services 

The Judicial Library and Information Service (jLIS) is a team of 14 people which provides legal publications and information to judges and legal advisers to ensure that they are equipped to carry out their duties effectively.   

  This includes: 

•             Provision of legal and online publications to 1,700 salaried judges, 7,500 fee-paid judges and 1,100 legal advisers in the courts and tribunals.  The framework which governs the provision of this service is set out in the “Protocol for the Provision of Legal Publications to the Judiciary” which is overseen by the Judges’ Council Library Committee.  

•             A central legal research enquiry service for judges across England and Wales through the library at the Royal Courts of Justice, which provides judges with access to an unrivalled collection of print and online legal information and regular current awareness bulletins.

•             Managing the judicial help desk for the publication of court and tribunal judgments.  This entails liaising with judges and The National Archives to ensure that judgments are published in a timely manner and providing advice and guidance to judges who wish to publish their judgments

The FtT SEC

This Chamber is home to three different tribunals. The largest is the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal (SSCS). It decides appeals about an individual’s entitlement to a range of disability, work related and other benefits, appeals about liability to make child support payments and entitlement to vaccine damage payments and compensation under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal hears appeals about whether and how much compensation can be paid to someone who has sustained injury as a victim of a crime of violence. The Asylum Support Tribunal hears appeals about decisions refusing asylum support or cancelling an existing award.

Hybrid Working Requirement

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

Working within a small team of information professionals in the Royal Courts of Justice Library team, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing specialist information and library services to the FtT SEC.    You will also be expected to carry out other tasks as part of the library team.  

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:

•             Ensure that judges in the SEC have access to the information that they need in a timely manner

•             Under the guidance of the SSCS National Information Lead and the Website Editor (both salaried judges), monitor caselaw, legislation and policy developments that are relevant to those sitting in the FtT SEC, and draft clear, accurate, concise and relevant summaries as required;

•             Work closely with the National Information Lead to produce a bi-monthly national current awareness bulletin covering relevant law and policy

•             Manage the SEC judicial website: 

o            work with Website Editor to ensure content is kept fully up to date (including publishing key court and tribunal decisions within 3 working days of issue); 

o            make agreed design and navigation changes as required; 

•             Provide technical support for the SEC website and take the lead for planning the migration to a new platform

•             Work with the Website Editor and eJudiciary to ensure that the SEC judicial website is effectively hosted, supported, and maintained.

•             Provide enquiry and research services to judges in a clear, accurate and concise way and within agreed timescales

•             Support the FtT SEC information team in improving information provision.

•             Provide cover for other library tasks such as enquiries, cataloguing, database training, and producing current awareness alerts

•             You will be required to build strong and effective relationships with the relevant FtT SEC judiciary who are responsible for the strategy and provision of information within the Chamber as well as colleagues across the JO (and HMCTS and MoJ as appropriate) to gain early involvement with the judicial communications aspects of their work.

Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills

To be successful in this role you will either: 

•             Be a qualified Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) Professional. 

•             Have experience working in the welfare rights sector

•             Be a law graduate with experience of conducting legal research 

You will have:

•             Strong attention to detail.

•             Ability to build strong professional relationships.

•             Excellent interpersonal and communications skills 

•             Proficient and confident user of MS products especially, in particular Outlook, Word and Excel

•             Be highly customer-focused, committed to providing an excellent service

Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills

•             Ability to understand and summarise case law and legislation.

•             Understand audience needs and produce tailored content.

•             Knowledge of social security law and practice.

•             Knowledge of website/intranet content management systems.   

•             An understanding of the judiciary, and/or the business of courts and tribunals.

•             Ability to work effectively on own initiative, with both internal and external stakeholders

Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles):

•             Communicating and Influencing (lead behaviour)

•             Managing a Quality Service

•             Making Effective Decisions

•             Delivering at Pace

Assessment process at application

Civil Service Behaviours will be assessed at the application stage, alongside a 500-word Statement of Suitability and CV. The CV will not be scored. In the event of a large number of applications, we will sift on the lead behaviour ‘Communicating and Influencing’ only.

Assessment process at interview

Candidates invited to interview will be assessed onCivil Service Strengths and the behaviours listed in the job description

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 8045

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 8045

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
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
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 use the statement of suitability to explain how you meet all of the essential criteria. But please note that to be successful in this role you will either:
• Be a qualified Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) Professional
• Have experience working in the welfare rights sector
• Be a law graduate with experience of conducting legal research”
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected 16th September
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
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.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)