Woolwich Crown Court - Court Usher
Pay: £13.51 per hour
Duration: March 2026 with possible Extension
Job Title: Usher
Grade: AA
Overview
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide support for the legal system across England and Wales, along with non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland, ensuring justice works for everyone.
Our Justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society. It protects some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, from families in crisis to claimants and commercial businesses. We have a responsibility to deliver a Justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.
The key purpose of the role
The Court Usher acts as an essential first point of contact for all the court users involved in hearings. There will be regular contact with the judiciary, assisting the administrative staff with the smooth flow of court work. You will meet members of the public and their legal representatives; prepare court /hearing rooms, and complete documentation, as well as ensuring the court runs smoothly and efficiently. You will also carry out some general clerical work as required to support the work of HMCTS.
Usher needs to be prepared to react quickly and professionally to situations, some of which may be unexpected. You will be comfortable in dealing sensitively and professionally with people from all walks of life; many of whom may be vulnerable and under stress.
Essential Skills & Criteria:
Strong customer focus and service skills
Experience of working with the public in a busy public service environment.
Ability to use a computer at the level required for the work
Whilst initially you will be allocated to a specific court or office base, there will be a need for flexibility to work on an ad hoc basis at other courthouses and local HMCTS offices.
Key responsibilities:
Reception of parties to court
Including members of the public, judiciary, juries, solicitors and barristers, the police, representatives of external Agencies etc.
Providing information related to proceedings, escorting court users into and from the building, swearing oaths etc.
Calling people into court / hearing rooms in priority order, discussing with Court Clerks and Legal Advisers and liaising with the Witness Service as necessary
Answering face to face enquiries
Keeping parties informed of changes e.g., of courtrooms and hearing times
Data Entry and recording
Resulting, checking accuracy and completeness against guidelines or a proforma, straightforward money handling e.g., issuing jury payments, spending petty cash under instruction.
Post Handling
Opening, sorting, distributing and dispatching post as required
Collecting and delivering post from appropriate offices
Administration
Collecting and delivering files and bundles to the judiciary and clerks ensuring they have the necessary papers
Providing support to colleagues & judiciary outside of court / hearing times
General clerical work, including use of computers and Switchboard
Filling out forms
Operating recording equipment and maintaining records of recordings of hearings
Sort and deliver lists of hearings for internal & external notice boards
Correspondence
Completing standard forms, etc where the information is clearly defined.
Straightforward drafting such as acknowledgements and receipting, confirmations, court orders, warrants etc.
Monitoring Stock
Ensuring Court rooms are supplied against requirements for relevant forms and stationery
Collecting and delivering stationary around the offices
Operating equipment
Office and court equipment e.g., computers, scanners, photocopiers, switchboards, franking machines, messaging equipment, tape, and video recorders etc.
Handling telephone calls
Answering standard enquiries and passing messages to others.
Arranging meetings
Preparing rooms for hearings, tribunals, trials, meetings and clearing the court / hearing room down at the end of the day
Using electronic diaries
Other duties
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.
Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.
As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.
Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you.
In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group