Negotiable
Overview
Our work at HMCTS is vitally important to the smooth running of a fair, accessible and efficient justice system, as we are responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. We’re looking for trainee legal advisers to join our exceptional legal team and develop the skills to provide magistrates with advice on points of law, practice and procedure, and assist with the formulation and drafting of the reasons behind their judgments.When you join us as a trainee legal adviser, you’ll quickly discover that this isn’t your normal 9 to 5 role, as no two days are the same. You’ll learn new skills every day as you work at pace in a fast-moving, fluid environment, and help to keep the courts running smoothly and efficiently. Working on everything from minor motoring offences to serious crimes, you’ll be supported and mentored throughout your two-year training period. Once you’ve completed this, you’ll then have the opportunity to further develop your legal career within HMCTS.Work as the qualified, professional face of the courts. Rather than acting for a client you’ll be offering impartial and objective legal advice, so you’ll need to be passionate about the law and the issues that must be considered when magistrates are delivering judgments and sentences. Helping to conduct case management hearings will be another key part of your role, as will liaising with outside agencies who are involved in specialist court work. Once you’re qualified, you’ll act as the professional face of the court, so we’ll expect you to work with integrity, empathy and understanding, and ensure that everyone who attends is treated with humanity and respect at all times.This is an office based/court based frontline role. You’ll be allocated to your work base location that has been agreed between yourself and line manager as part of the recruitment process.Training and progression
Upon successful completion of the full training and submission of your training portfolio (usually completed within two years), a Trainee legal adviser will then progress to a SEO Tier 1 Legal adviser role (with the associated increase in pay, in line with the HMCTS Legal adviser Tier Progression Framework). You’ll have access to a variety of legal careers in HMCTS and beyond.Benefits, working patterns and location
As part of the Ministry of Justice, you’ll be entitled to a range of benefits including a civil service pension, flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, childcare and travel allowances and numerous staff networks and clubs. 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. 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. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. 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 its location\''s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).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. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.Flexible working hours. The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ\''s Flexible Working policy.Application and eligibility
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods: Statement of Suitability (no more than 500 words), Evidence of Experience, Technical Questions, and Application Form Question (Word limit 250).Specific qualification requirements: To be eligible to apply you must have passed the academic stage of qualification to become a barrister in England and Wales, or a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, or a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) or CILEX Lawyer by virtue of having passed the necessary examinations or having been granted an exemption. Examples of approved routes include:The Legal Practice Course (LPC) for Solicitors, or BOTH the SQE1 and SQE2 stages of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam; orThe Bar Training Course; orThe CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice and the CILEx Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice; orThe CILEx Graduate Fast Track Diploma; or equivalent for Graduate Membership of CILEx.You can apply while completing the final academic stage of qualification but must evidence final certification at the point of offer. If you cannot evidence certification at the point of offer, you will be removed from the process. You’ll be expected to be an excellent communicator with the ability to inspire confidence in everyone you work with and to speak in court. You should be enthusiastic about responsibility on the front line of the justice system and ready to take your career to the next level. You’ll be committed to increasing and maintaining your knowledge of the law. You’ll be open, approachable, professional and supportive, with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your feet in a busy court. You should be confident, impartial and capable of considering a wide range of risks and implications. Flexible and adaptable, with a high degree of personal responsibility, and the ability to remain resilient and calm under pressure. You should have a diplomatic and tactful approach to everyone you work with.Competencies include: Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership, Developing Self and Others.Additional information
The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent. The Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy applies. There is a veterans initiative offering guaranteed interviews to eligible former Armed Forces members. Details at GOV.UK.You’ll be expected to spend the duration of your training at your agreed base location. All employees must undergo security clearance. You’ll also have access to a range of benefits including training opportunities, flexible working schemes, paid maternity/paternity leave and childcare benefits, and a supportive, diverse workplace with networks and inclusion programs.Additional benefits include: annual leave of 25 days (30 after five years), pension options, training opportunities, employee networks, and family-friendly policies. For more information on benefits and eligibility, see the Civil Service and MoJ resources referenced in the role ..... full job details .....