Court Usher - High Wycombe, United Kingdom - Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Justice

Verified Company

High Wycombe, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

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Tom O´Connor

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Description

Court Usher

£21,149

High Wycombe:

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 etc.
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.

Salary:

£21,149

Additional Information:

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

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.

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 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 pensi