Crown Court Operational Support Officers are responsible for management of criminal digital files in preparation for hearings involving correspondence and general enquiries. The Crown office handles enquiries from criminal justice agencies, solicitors, barristers and the public via post, email, telephone and face to face. They deal with a full range of serious criminal work as well as managing jurors. You will be assigned to teams to carry out a variety of general administrative duties to progress cases through the court/tribunal system or provide support to other functions within HMCTS. Your skills and experience reflect a friendly and approachable manner, excellent attention to detail and good written and verbal communication skills; you have a desire to deliver proactive and effective support to customers by phone and email, are skilled in organising your time, prioritising efficiently and able to multi‑task and adapt to using various software packages. You’ll enjoy working in a busy environment and helping court users navigate the justice system. Please refer to the role profile attachment for more information.
Responsibilities
* Manage criminal digital files in preparation for hearings involving correspondence and general enquiries.
* Handle enquiries from criminal justice agencies, solicitors, barristers and the public via post, email, telephone and face to face.
* Deal with a full range of serious criminal work and manage jurors.
* Carry out a variety of general administrative duties to progress cases through the court/tribunal system or provide support to other functions within HMCTS.
Skills & Experience
* Friendly and approachable manner.
* Excellent attention to detail.
* Good written and verbal communication skills.
* Proactive and effective support to customers by phone and email.
* Strong organisational skills, able to prioritise efficiently and multi‑task.
* Adaptable to using various software packages.
Working Patterns & Hours
* Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week.
* HMCTS welcomes part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns where they meet the demands of the role and business needs and are agreed prior to appointment.
* Applications for part‑time working will be considered; however, due to the nature of the role the minimum hours would be 30 hours per week over 4 days.
* All applications for part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
Immigration and Visa
* This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules.
* From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes.
* If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks; eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place.
* If you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes.
* Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.
Hybrid Working
* 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.
* 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.
* 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 to its location’s respective pay scale.
Statement of Suitability
Please tell us why you are suitable for this role. Demonstrate your transferable skills, knowledge and experience against the knowledge, skills and experience outlined in the role profile: customer service, administrative and IT experience, attention to detail, communication and organisational skills. Using the full word count (500 words) and providing personalised real‑life evidence of experience gained will help achieve the highest scores. You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behavioural examples, is 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 and can lead to your application being withdrawn.
Interviews & Behaviours
Interviews will be held in person and are expected to take place on W/C 18th May 2026. Requests for alternate dates/virtual interviews will only be considered in exceptional circumstances or as part of a reasonable adjustment. Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace. Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Security Checks
Level of security checks required: DBS Basic.
Experience Evidence
This section is intended to help us understand where and how you gained experience in: Customer service, administration, IT systems and applying attention to detail in your work.
About HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our court users and colleagues within HMCTS, where people and businesses access potentially life‑changing justice. We are looking for individuals who are committed to public service and making a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice. If you are interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.
Equality, 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. The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave, Pension, Training, Networks and Support.
Benefits
* 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 one privilege day.
* Leave for part‑time and job‑share posts will be calculated on a pro‑rata basis.
* Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
* Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
* 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.
* All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60 % of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
* Open access to support and employee‑run networks for minority ethnic origin, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women and LGBT+.
Complaints & Support
* To raise a formal complaint, contact: To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8 am – 6 pm) or email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
* To the Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
* To the Civil Service Commission (details available here).
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.
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