Overview
Our Support Officers play a critical role, providing excellent customer service and administrative support to court users, judiciary and management. Working as part of a team, you will contribute to the overall operational, performance and service standard targets across your area of work. You will progress cases through the court/tribunal system and provide customer service and administrative support to functions within HMCTS. You will have regular contact with court and tribunal users, which could include members of the Judiciary and the legal profession. You will be adaptable, able to multi‑task and effectively carry out a variety of duties, which will include:
Key Responsibilities
- Preparing papers and files for court, tribunals, hearings and meetings, including processing and handling sensitive information and accurately resulting outcomes.
- Creating and updating records digitally, interpreting information accurately required on a court file.
- Communicating with the public, the judiciary, other court and tribunal users and representatives of other agencies and organisations.
- Supporting the smooth running of court proceedings, preparing court/hearing rooms and ensuring courts run efficiently.
- Providing first point of contact for court users, including vulnerable witnesses and their legal representatives.
Location and Travel
The role is split between the following sites:
- Newton Abbot Magistrates Court – you will be based at Torquay County Court but will be required to travel as necessary to cover courts sitting at Newton Abbot MG Court. Staff parking is available at Torquay County Court.
- Plymouth Combined Court – you will be based at Plymouth Combined Court and work at the neighbouring Plymouth Magistrates Court, within short walking distance of each other. Staff parking is available at Plymouth Combined Court.
Working Hours
Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). Part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing arrangements are considered where they meet the demands of the role and business needs.
Key Requirements
- Customer service skills – ability to work in a service‑led customer‑facing environment.
- Digital and administrative skills – excellent attention to detail.
- Communication and organisational skills – able to communicate confidently in person, over the telephone, digitally and in written communications.
- Resilience and empathy – able to deal with sensitive information and situations.
- Team player – able to work collaboratively and flexibly to deliver business objectives.
- Legal right to live and work in the United Kingdom and to work in the Civil Service.
Benefits
- Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years of service. Scheme to buy or sell up to three days leave each year.
- Public holidays and one privilege day. Part‑time leave pro‑rata.
- Pension scheme – choice of Civil Service pension options.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Employee networks for minority groups, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women, and LGBTQ+ employees.
- Family friendly policies – flexible hours or job share where possible.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
- Access to voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts.
Equal Opportunities
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. As a Disability Confident employer, the Ministry of Justice provides adjustments throughout the recruitment process and the workplace. The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. Information about equal opportunities: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans.
Contact and Application
For further information on benefits such as childcare support, see: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
