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We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

The 2 posts advertised are at Manchester Crown Court – Minshull Street. Any candidates on the reserve list may be used by Manchester Crown Court – Crown Square and Minshull Street to fill future vacancies.

Job Title: Crown Court Clerk

Pay Span or equivalent: Band EO

About us

Are you interested in developing a career with a real purpose? We are looking for individuals who are committed to public service and to make a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice. If this sounds like you, please apply.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Joining us is a chance to play a pivotal role in the smooth running of our crown courts, which give people and businesses access to potentially life-changing justice. Not only will your work be of crucial importance for those who use our services, you’ll be able to build a varied, challenging and rewarding career.

The key purpose of the role is to

• To manage the courtrooms to ensure that cases are dealt with promptly in liaison with judiciary, legal professionals and staff and to ensure that all subsequent results are accurately & promptly recorded in line with targets. Also, to ensure that all ancillary duties are carried out effectively.

Key responsibilities

Administration

• To ensure that a comprehensive log is kept of representation orders and that a judge’s report is available at all sentence hearings.
• To accurately prepare case summaries for Resident Judge.
• To ensure that applications for representation orders are checked and approved upon authorisation of Judge.
• To determine all claims for costs including re-determinations, Prior Authority and Wasted Costs and provide written reasons in accordance with the appropriate regulations and within targets.
• To determine accurately witnesses’ expenses within target times and provide written reasons upon request when required in accordance with guidelines.
• Producing orders in line with SLA targets.
• Process general correspondence within target and in particular procedural deadlines for any resulting amendments.
• Ensure compliance with financial and operational risk management policies when determining and processing costs in accordance with department guidelines.
• Undertake any allocated tasks as part of the role i.e., PA Role to Judiciary when required; arranging marshalling and swearing in of Justices.

Operations

• To ensure efficient through put of listed work in the allocated court room daily, giving appropriate support to judiciary and keeping the List Office and other agencies fully appraised of developments when necessary.
• Confident public speaking and have the ability to adapt and change at short notice.
• You are the focal point of the court room, the ability to control and project your public speaking.
• To meet with the Judge before sitting and to be available in Court as required.
• To maintain full recording of hearings using the appropriate technology ensuring accurate audio allocation to correct cases.
• To sit in court daily and ensure that cases called on time, all parties are in court at appropriate time. Correct phraseology used for arraignment, empanelling, taking verdicts
• To maintain the court file including accurate recording of relevant matters and judicial decisions, accurate completion of Exhibit log and Crest Orders and all subsequent forms, orders and results exported onto the Portal within Target.
• Carry out 100% HMCTS assurance programme compliance of all Resulting and ensure appropriate risks are identified and managed.
• Ensure that appropriate codes of conduct are applied to the Courtroom and other areas of the Court premises whilst sitting and during adjournments and to actively intervene and encourage compliance.
• To ensure that obligations under the Victim Code and the standards under the Witness Charter are complied with.
• Ensure all court users are treated fairly and with respect and understand how their own performance impacts on that of the court and the confidence of users.
• Systems being used include emails, Microsoft Teams, Video Hearing Systems and HMCTS Common Platform.
• Ensure that appropriate files are passed to administration teams within agreed target times.
• Take part in and deliver employee engagement activities to effect good working relationships with staff and to improve service delivery and staff morale / motivation.
• Comply with HMCTS values, policies and procedures (including diversity, attendance and discipline).
• Maintain effective working relationships with the judiciary, supporting agencies, voluntary and user groups. Working with agencies to improve the level of service offered to users.
• LEAN principles, tools and techniques to working practices to improve efficiency of operations.
• Perform any Incident Control Duties as required in the ‘in court role’

Processing and managing casework

• Work with staff to ensuring that casework is appropriately managed, providing information / advice where process deviations have occurred.

Calculations and analysis

• Identify and implement solutions to local problems, referring more complex problems to the line manager

Communicating with the public, juries, the judiciary, other court and tribunal users and representatives of other agencies and organisations

• Ensure effective and timely liaison with Judiciary, Counsel, List Officer, Jury Officer, Ushers and Court users to maintain high levels of court performance.
• Ensure Customer Standards are maintained and improved; complaints and dealt within target and in line with HMCTS Complaints Handling Policy and any feedback on lessons learnt is shared with staff.

Representation

• Represent the function you have been assigned to at an operational level.

Specialisms

• To have a working knowledge of functions undertaken within the Cluster, to support the development and review of policies and procedures.
• To provide specific functions as directed by line management in line with the procedure for providing that service.

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.

Operational Delivery in HMCTS

This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession. Operational delivery professionals are the outward face of government, providing essential services to the public in a variety of roles. They work in many different departments and agencies across England and Wales, delivering service to customers in:

• Face-to-face roles in HMCTS for example a court usher
• Contact Centre roles in HMCTS for example call centre advisers
• Processing roles in HMCTS for example Staff at the County Courts Money-Claims Centre and Courts and Tribunal Administration

Being part of the operational delivery profession means belonging to a cross-government community of people. This will offer you access to information on professional standards, skills development, and qualifications to help you continue to improve your development and performance and expand your career options.

Salary

£25,827 - £27,170

Additional Information

New recruits to the Civil Service joining MoJ are expected to join at the band minimum.

Existing Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed on the salary minimum of the pay band or with an increased salary of 10% on their existing base salary (restricted to the new pay band maximum), whichever is the higher.

These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide HMCTS services to the public. HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices, subject to business needs being met.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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). 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, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

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.

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 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. There 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.

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 GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• 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 Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail [email protected]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([email protected]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. 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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.