This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.
General Information
Salary
£40,014 - £42,859
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
21-Nov-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11674
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Directorate: RCJ - Operations
Job Title: Clerk to His Majesty's Judges and a Judges' Clerks' Line Manager(1 post available)
Locations: Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL
Duration: Permanent Contract
Pay Span or equivalent: HEO
These positions are available for existing civil servants on level transfer or promotion. Secondments and loans will be considered on an individual basis.
About HMCTS:
HM Courts and Tribunals Service is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. We work with an independent judiciary to provide a fair, efficient and effective justice system.
For more information about HMCTS and what we do, visit:
Overview:
The role of a Judges Clerks Manager is to provide first line support to a Lord or Lady Justice of Appeal or High Court Judge by ensuring best use of the judge's time, to enable them to concentrate on the delivery of justice. Using your organisational skills, you will efficiently manage all aspects of your judge's day; this involves administrative duties which may include typing documents including judgments or orders and diary management. You will also likely be required to liaise with internal and external stakeholders including legal representatives, members of the public and other members of the judiciary.
The appointment to some Judges may require extensive travelling with overnight stays during the week for a considerable number of weeks at a time. This circuit work entails staying with the judge(s) and other clerks in judicial accommodation, returning home at weekends.
This is a unique role within the justice system. If you are organised, adaptable and you care about ensuring the delivery of justice then working as a Judges' Clerk can be incredibly rewarding. Full training will be given in the role.
Key Responsibilities:
Line Management
You will manage a team of between 13-20 EO Judges' Clerks, with responsibly for:
* Performance management of team including quarterly reviews and probation plans for new starters. Recognising good work and rewarding through the recognition system
* Attendance management in accordance with departmental guidelines, involving formal action when required
* Circulation of departmental communications and leading on regular team meetings to share information
* Escalation of conduct or behavioural concerns in accordance with the disciplinary policy
* Ensure that Governance, risk management registers and contingency plans are in place and updated.
* Ensuring that training records are kept up to date for self and team
* Approval responsibility for clerks' expenses claims and claims submitted on behalf of the judiciary by the clerks, in accordance with policy
* HR administration as required including transfer of leavers, special leave applications and pay related queries
* Visible leadership to clerks, role modelling engaging behaviours and challenging inappropriate behaviours. Leading by example, coaching, supporting and developing staff, and guiding them through a substantial and significant period of change
* Taking a full and constructive part in supporting group and departmental initiatives, including involvement in operational reporting documentation
* Assistance with the recruitment of new Judges Clerks, including application sifting and sitting on interview panels
Ensuring the standards of customer service to judges, colleagues, professionals and other court users are maintained and w- possible improved upon
Administration
Keep an up-to-date diary of your Judge's court sittings/visits/meetings, maintenance of his/her robes and library, co-ordinating visits and assisting visitors plus other office functions.
Domestic duties as required by the judge; e.g. tea/coffee preparation, lunch collection, washing up, dry cleaning and other ad hoc duties as agreed. Transportation of large court bundles around the building; trolleys are provided but some lifting will be required. When judges go on circuit, clerks are responsible for transporting books, bundles, files, computers, robes and other judicial requirements as well as their own, and judge's, personal belongings.
Communication
You will be responsible for the smooth running of the judge's court commitments whether in London or on circuit. This will involve communicating by telephone, email and correspondence to ensure the resolution of many and varied queries and requests. On a regular basis you'll be liaising with:
* judges and senior figures
* litigants and members of the public
* jurors
* court and tribunal users
* representatives of other agencies and organisations
You will be representing your assigned judge at an operational level. Using your organisational skills, you will be expected to efficiently manage all aspects of your judge's day. You will be required to make decisions regarding changing priorities as they occur, without reference to the judge, and work on your own initiative. In many instances you will be the first point of contact between your judge and others. The need for confidentiality, tact, courtesy and diplomacy is tfore paramount.
Working Arrangements:
Hours
Your actual working pattern is agreed with the judge and your line manager. Judge's Clerks are not normally required to work more hours each week than the standard working week (37 hours) but t is an expectation that a clerk will work longer hours if a situation arises. Due to the travelling involved and the variety of court duties performed, this role is not suitable for part-time working, job sharing or frequent working from home.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. It should be noted that this office has limited flexibility in terms of working patterns and subject to business needs and must be approved both by the judge involved and Senior Judges Clerks Manager.
Location
The position is London based and tfore you should live within a reasonable daily commute of London. However, due to the nature of the role you could be required to travel within England and Wales. When in London, you will be based within the Royal Courts of Justice or other buildings within the immediate area.
Circuit work
Any judge may undertake circuit work anyw in England and Wales up to 3 times annually for periods of around 2-6 weeks (or more depending on the case). On circuit you will stay at judges' lodgings or hotels on weekdays (at no cost to you) and liaise with the housekeeper and lodging's manager on domestic matters that may include arrangement of dinner parties and visits.
You will be expected to continue managing the judge's other commitments while on circuit.
Annual leave
Annual leave may only be taken in accordance with the Judges Clerks' supplemental working T&Cs. The minimum entitlement is 25 days rising to 30 days after 5 years' service.
Required Security Level:
Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment and residence history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (the level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
* You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
* You were studying abroad
* You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account and a local police check carried out.
Essential Skills and Criteria:
Accurate typing speed of a minimum of 35 wpm, this is tested at the assessment day and will be tested in 3 parts, average speed will be calculated for part 1 & 2 below:
* Speed test when copying from typed text and making corrections
* Speed test when copying from Manuscript and making corrections
* Drafting emails on behalf of Judges, in response to the correspondence received
* Previous experience of using IT Microsoft Office applications.
* A high standard of spoken and written English. You need to be able to understand and assimilate information from various sources and accurately summarise it in a clear and concise written format, tested before proceeding to interview.
Due to the nature of the assessment day, all assessments and interviews are completed in person and neither element can be conducted remotely.
Desirable Skills Include:
* A full driving licence
Application Process:
To apply for this position please complete the online application form, ensuring you provide the following:
* An up-to-date copy of your CV which details your experience and achievements
* A 250-word suitability statement against the desirable and essential skills above
A 250-word statement against each of the following Success Profile Behaviours (Level 3):
* Leadership
* Communicating & Influencing
* Making Effective Decisions
Applicants successful at sift stage will be invited to an assessment day which will involve two stages (in no particular order):
* A practical assessment (as outlined in Essential Skills and Criteria above)
* Face to face interview based on the Success Profile Behaviours listed above, Strength questions and discussion of IT skills
Note: If a candidate is an existing Clerk to HM Judges, they are not required to undertake the practical assessment again.
If selected for interview, the Success Profile Behaviours listed above will also be tested / assessed (Level 3).
Interviews will also test three Strengths.
Further information on Success Profile Behaviours and Strengths, as well as the required standards for this post (Level 3), can be found at:
If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w 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 roles: 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, w 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.
T 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. T 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.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
Vacancies advertised "cross-government" are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
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 or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at
* 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
* To Transformative Business Services Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-);
* To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available- )
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.
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.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
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)
* 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)
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 Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-
Please quote the job reference: 11674
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-
Please quote the job reference: 11674
Job Description Attachment
* HEO Clerk to HM Judges (Job Description Attachment)
Select new file
Application form stage assessments
Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
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
A 250-word suitability statement providing evidence of your personal skills, experience, strengths and behaviours relevant to the role, as outlined in the Job Description.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Interview stage assessments
Interview Dates
Interviews are expected to commence on Thursday 11th December
Behaviours
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed .
Other Assessments
Which assessment methods will be used?
Other 1
Other - Assessment Title 1
Practical assessment of word processing and drafting skills.
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. W 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.