https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/working-at-hmcts/
Working at HMCTS
About us
HM Courts & Tribunals Service is an agency of the Ministry of Justice and we provide the supporting Administration for the judiciary across England and Wales. We deliver services to the public directly in court and tribunal buildings, remotely via business centres and through online services on GOV.UK.
Our reform programme is a once in a generation opportunity for us to transform our entire business, enhancing the provision of a world-class justice system, in a manner that provides an improved user experience at reduced cost to the taxpayer. We are looking for talented people will contribute to consolidating the UK's position at the forefront of an increasingly competitive international legal market as well as ensuring access to justice for all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_xDMTQ6DJQ
Who we're looking for…
We're looking for talented, enthusiastic and passionate individuals who are excited by the challenge that our reform programmes will offer – a unique chance to be at the forefront of leading and implementing significant change projects across our organisation.
Our programme is ambitious and innovative and will need a flexible workforce to deliver it. Those leading the change will experience new and exciting opportunities and will benefit from playing a part in several different initiatives throughout the Programme. We’re looking for individuals that can display a commitment to 3 main principles: continuous change, managing uncertainty and designing services around user needs.
We are only looking for people who can wholeheartedly commit to these principle and evidence this in their application.
Current vacancies
Please visit our new recruitment website to see more vacancies at HMCTS.
Meet some of the team
Working at HMCTS will give you the chance to get involved with projects that will change the way users interact with justice services.
We’ve set up this page to give you a brief insight into what it’s like to work for us.
Maureen Hewlett - Deputy Director - Governance, Resourcing, Assurance and Commissioning
I’ve worked at HMCTS for two months as the Deputy Director of Governance, Resourcing, Assurance and Commissioning, having previously worked as part of the Digital Team at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). I was familiar with the HMCTS reform programme, but didn’t understand just how ground breaking and far-reaching the changes will be.
Britain has a reputation for operating a just and fair justice system, and there’s no other country in the world where they’re looking to make such fundamental changes to the justice system while maintaining that strong reputation - I’m amazed that ordinary people can make such important changes to a public system.
After 20 years of experience, I still really enjoy the buzz of working on a large programme of work that will impact people across the country. I’ve been impressed with the people and working environment here at HMCTS – everyone has been incredibly welcoming and taken the time to help integrate me into the team. People are keen to discuss new ways of working, and innovation really is happening daily. It really is a fantastic place to work, especially for anyone wanting to start the year with a change of career path. I’d highly recommend HMCTS - come and join us.
Ella Duggan - Head of Finance Change
I joined HMCTS in 2017 as a Senior Finance Business Partner for the Reform programme, and have been here nearly 12 months. My role is focused on providing finance support to the Property Directorate in delivering their strategy for the HMCTS estate, which has many elements including estate rationalisation, consideration of how HMCTS buildings need to change to facilitate a post-Reform world, and Court of the Future design. After 15 years in local government, I was attracted to the role due to the magnitude of the change involved and how ambitious delivery of the Reform agenda seems.
I love the pace of the role (no two days are the same), the complex set of stakeholders (internal and external), and the commitment of those I work with to deliver the programme. So much has already been achieved, and there is so much more to do. Development opportunities are plentiful, and the national nature of the programme gives the opportunity to meet colleagues in wide-ranging roles from across the country.
Rachel Newman – Deputy Justices’ Clerk (Thames Valley – based in Berkshire)
I’ve worked at HMCTS for 30 years having joined the Service as a Trainee Legal Adviser and have progressed in my career to my current role of Deputy Justices’ Clerk (Tier 4). I have responsibility for leadership of the legal team, acting as Legal Adviser to the Magistrates and managing and supporting Bench activities.
The role of a legal adviser is varied and interesting – our primary functions include:
- Managing the court room to ensure it runs efficiently and effectively
- Advising Magistrates on legal points, practice and procedure
- Facilitating the decision making process - applying a structured approach, identifying relevant issues to be incorporated into Justices’ Reasons
- Assisting with the drafting of Justices’ Reasons
- Using delegated judicial powers effectively for the purpose of effective case management
- Facilitating the administration in the court room with the use of IT
- Conducting legal research as appropriate to carry out the functions of the role
- Working with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders both inside and outside of the court room.
Generally, as a trainee we start our learning in the criminal jurisdiction with a view to specialising in Family and/or Youth courts once adult crime courts have been mastered. We also deal with aspects of civil law/jurisdiction offering a wide range and variety of work.
In addition to specialisation, there are also opportunities to enhance training skills, project work, secondments to other departments and potentially obtaining a judicial appointment – there are many development opportunities for those wishing to progress their careers.
Upon joining HMCTS, a trainee is provided with considerable training which includes participation in the Judicial College Legal Adviser Induction Training Programme coupled with in-house and supplementary training. A workplace mentor is also allocated to support your training needs. The training process takes about two years and often coincides with the participation of a Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Training Contract.
It is an exciting time to be working for HMCTS at we continue our journey on the ambitious Reform Programme. Legal Advisers play a crucial part in this change programme which is transforming the way we conduct our court business. For the legal teams, the biggest changes have been as a result of many of our in-court processes moving across to ‘Digital’ processes which has included “paperless” prosecutions; Digital Mark-Up of court hearings; Virtual Hearings; Single Justice Procedures and providing reformed digital services to citizens.
After 30 years in the Service, I still find my job rewarding partly due to the variety of the work we deal with but more importantly, the people I work with. I work with talented teams who are committed to finding and adapting to new ways of working to ensure we deliver the best service available and making HMCTS an excellent place to work.
Chris John – Project Support Officer
I’ve worked for HMCTS for 9 years and have been working on HMCTS change for 8 months. I’m a Project Support Officer on the Virtual Hearings Project, which will allow all court users taking part in a hearing to join from locations outside of the traditional courtroom.
My job involves supporting the team to help deliver the product, including user research work where we interview court users to gain insight about their experiences. I support the technical team, testing new equipment or our prototype functionality. I’m based in London but no 2 days are the same and I frequently travel to other courts and to other cities as part of the role.
The part of my job I enjoy the most is talking to our court users and learning from them because I can see how our product has evolved based on their feedback. Thumps up for Agile working. I also enjoy the team spirit, and working with a large group of people who actually care, and who are passionate about the new services we are building as part of reform.
Imran Mangera – User Experience Team Support
I’ve worked for HMCTS for 12 and a half years and my current role at HMCTS is User Experience Team Support - I lead the project management of the User Experience Team, its objectives and support the business management of the team. The User Experience Team is a dynamic and cross cutting team which provides the approach, tools and support to the programmes within the change portfolio to ensure it maintains the fundamental design principle of being user and customer led in the delivery of transformed HMCTS services. Team members I work with have a variety of specialisms and skills covering different dimensions of design and service development for example Customer Experience Designers, User Researchers, Service Designers, Business Analysts, Accessibility & Inclusion Specialists, Channel Shift Specialists and Data Analysts.
What I enjoy the most about my job is that every day is a different day - in addition to my day to day role I am always working with and collaborating with new teams in the business and learning something new - developing new skills and experiences along the way. Working on change in HMCTS has given me the chance to play a part in providing a new reformed digital service to citizens and having the opportunities to work with colleagues at different levels which helps me to develop and aspire to greater career goals.
Lisa Edwards – Business Support Manager
I work in the Civil Families and Tribunals Programme and am based in Liverpool. I thrive off the fast-paced environment we work in within Change as well as the wide range of people I get to work with daily. Every day is different in HMCTS and there are plenty of opportunities to develop yourself and your career. I find it extremely rewarding to be part of an organisation that is transforming the justice system. I enjoy learning about the array of projects and what is involved in making them a success.
Colin Colas - Project Support Manager
I’m currently on my first posting as a Project Delivery Fast Streamer working as a Project Support Manager in the HMCTS Change Directorate’s Portfolio Delivery Operations (PDO) team. Supporting the Portfolio team across the board has led to me doing a variety of things as part of my role. Primarily, I support the wider PDO team in the management, handling and resolving of programme-level risks, issues and dependencies across the portfolio. I enjoy the ability to see what the latest activities are across the whole range of the programmes, rather than focussing on one or two programmes. I love being able to see the big picture and draw links between one programme’s dependency on another.
There are many things I enjoy about working for HMCTS, but if I was to choose one, it has to be culture. HMCTS has a very friendly, open nature about it, and that undoubtedly stems from the people who sit within HMCTS and contribute to its functioning!
Martin Yale - Recruitment Support
I've worked in the Recruitment team at HMCTS since January 2018. The Reform programme at HMCTS is huge, and the opportunity to get involved and contribute was a big attraction for me. I joined the team having previously worked in the private sector, and on estates projects at the Home Office before taking early retirement in 2016.
The Recruitment team works to support candidates and hiring managers through the hiring process - from agreeing the vacancy details, right through to arranging contracts and equipment for new employees.
HMCTS is a fast-moving environment, and it's so rewarding when a new starter joins and you've played a part in their recruitment into their new role. The teamwork and mutual support to achieve a common goal is another positive factor about working here.
Aftab Akbarally - Recruitment Manager
Before joining HMCTS, I worked in the recruitment industry as a Director of Sales. My current role involves planning team resource, improving processes, speaking to applicants, working with staff to develop recruitment strategies, and staff learning and development.
Each day here is different, and I face challenges on a massive scale that no-one has dealt with before. I was drawn to working here, as I wanted to work on something interesting that matters. Life in the Change Directorate is extremely busy and exciting - there's not enough hours in the day!
I'd always wanted to work as a public servant in Westminster, and wanted to join an organisation where I have opportunities to grow, be exposed to new things, and enhance my capabilities. I'm well supported and really enjoy working in a diverse workplace with varying ideas and opinions. Another highlight of working here is that I've participated in high-profile meetings, and have already been given training in briefing Ministers. I didn't think that would happen!
There's a great work/life balance here - when I'm not at work, I enjoy sports, hip-hop, comedy and films.
Akil Esmail - Project Manager
I joined HMCTS in 2013, and have since worked on a range of different projects. This has included outsourcing services, IT software and business change. I'm currently a Project Manager on the IT Infrastructure Project, and am part of a team that is rolling out Wi-Fi and screens at the Royal Courts of Justice.
My job involves regularly engaging with a variety of stakeholders, from business representatives and internal resourcers to suppliers, in order to help drive through the IT infrastructure changes to modernise the Royal Courts of Justice. This means having to understand the requirements from the business, and align them with the overall reform programme.
Having joined the department, I knew this would be a challenge due to the magnitude of change the reform programme has. This was a driving factor for me, as I always wanted to encounter different things and I knew every day would bring a different challenge. The pace and buzz that HMCTS brings is exciting, challenging and more importantly rewarding.
After many years at HMCTS, I still really enjoy working in an ever-changing environment which brings out the best in me. HMCTS is a great place to work; not only are you supported by an array of friendly, approachable Senior Management Team members, but there are huge amounts of development opportunities - something to always take advantage of.
