Ministry of Justice

Team/Directorate: Strategy and Modernisation Team

Role: Principal Strategy Advisor (Cross-Jurisdictional)

Grade: G7

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.

Overview of the team                   

The Strategy and Modernisation Team supports the senior judiciary to deliver their strategic priorities in a cross jurisdictional way; it plays an integral part in providing policy expertise across the Judicial Office, developing key policy, and advising the most senior judges on the strategic questions of the day. The team works across all jurisdictions (civil, family, tribunals, crime and coronial as well as on cross-jurisdictional projects such as One Judiciary), working with a range of judges. The team has close links with several different teams within Judicial Office, in particular HR Policy, the Judicial College and the Private Offices. Externally the team has close working relationships with HMCTS and MoJ and represents the judiciary on a number of boards and working groups.

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        

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to provide direct support to the senior judiciary in delivering their vision for cross-jurisdictional reform. The Strategy and Modernisation Team (‘StratMod’) includes sub-teams focused on modernisation in the civil, family, tribunals and criminal jurisdictions. This particular role leads on cross-jurisdictional projects, including One Judiciary: a long-standing ambition of the Lady Chief Justice, the Senior President of Tribunals and the senior judiciary to bring courts and tribunals closer together. Historically, the courts and tribunals judiciaries have sometimes operated differently in relation to procedure, policy and working practices. One Judiciary aims to create a more flexible and efficient system by breaking down barriers, encouraging greater collaboration, and fostering a single judicial family with a shared purpose and values, while respecting the strengths of each jurisdiction.

The previous role holder led major constitutional changes under the One Judiciary banner, including reform of the role of the Senior President of Tribunals to strengthen unified leadership under the Lady Chief Justice and create a clearer structure for the courts and tribunals judiciary in England and Wales. These measures are included in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, introduced to Parliament in February 2026. This has been a large and technically complex project.

The previous post holder has also been delivering a major modernisation of the High Court structure through the establishment of a new Business and Property Division. The relevant caseload is currently spread across both the King’s Bench and Chancery Divisions. Under the reform, the new Division will bring high-value, complex disputes together in one place, covering commercial, business, property, technology, construction and intellectual property cases. This work is complex, fast-paced and dependent on strong working relationships with senior judges and officials.

The cross-jurisdictional team also includes an SEO and an HEO, who lead on aspects of One Judiciary and parliamentary monitoring and engagement.

A strong candidate will be able to support judicial commissions in designing and delivering a range of policies and strategies, working with stakeholders to ensure that the work is practical, deliverable and implemented effectively. The postholder will need the confidence and judgement to maintain momentum and influence colleagues internally and across Government to deliver change. This will include providing regular oral and written briefings to senior judges and colleagues, and chairing official-level working group meetings. This is a stretching G7 role requiring a high degree of independent working.

The team’s work supports the effective operation of the judiciary and the wider justice system, with a broad and positive impact on society. Our staff engagement scores are consistently very high, and staff can clearly see the impact of their work. We are a happy and busy team that enjoys the chance to work directly with senior principals on projects of high interest to the wider judiciary and policy-makers within government.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:

• Support the delivery of specific projects, including the Future Judicial Structures project and the development of the new Business and Property Division.
• Support the senior judiciary in implementing cross-jurisdictional reform and other modernisation initiatives.
• Liaise with HMCTS, MoJ and teams across Judicial Office to ensure the judiciary is an effective participant and leader in the delivery of key initiatives and projects.
• Line manage one SEO and hold counter-signing responsibility for one HEO.
• Contribute as a member of the StratMod Senior Management Team, working with six other Grade 7s to shape the team’s work and ensure the team plays an active role in the wider work of the Judicial Office.

Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills      

The successful candidate must be able to:

• Influence effectively, manage upwards with confidence, and speak with authority when engaging with senior officials and members of the judiciary.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and leadership skills, including the ability to build confidence and secure buy-in from a range of stakeholders.
• Show strong organisational skills, with the ability to drive multiple work strands forward at pace and sustain momentum over extended periods.
• Produce high-quality written briefing, advice and policy papers for senior audiences.
• Lead and support a small team, creating an inclusive and high-performing working environment.
• Exercise sound judgement in complex, sensitive or ambiguous situations, including where judicial independence or constitutional considerations are engaged.
• Build and maintain effective relationships across organisational boundaries, including with policy, operational and legal colleagues.
• Turn strategic objectives into practical plans, identifying dependencies, risks and opportunities for delivery.
• Show a broad understanding of the justice system, including how policy, legislation and operational delivery interact.
• Demonstrate experience of developing and delivering strategies or policies from inception through to implementation.
• Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills Experience of working with, or supporting, the judiciary, together with an interest in the courts and tribunals system.
• An understanding of constitutional principles, including judicial independence and the respective roles of the judiciary, Government and Parliament.

Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles):

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Assessment process at application - CV and a Statement of Suitability of up to 750 words.

Assessment process at interview - 5-minute presentation, plus a behaviour and strength-based interview.

Security clearance required:

(this will be determined by the location)

• CTC

Please note:

Central Government policy dictates that applicants for National Security Clearance must be a resident in the UK for these minimum periods:

• CTC - 3 years
• SC - 5 years
• DV - 10 years