GENERAL INFORMATION

Salary
£35,335 - £37,847
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Manchester
Region
North West
Closing Date
29-Aug-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade

DESCRIPTIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Job description

ABOUT US

As part of His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)’ the Tribunals directorate is responsible for the effective administration of Tribunals in England and Wales and non-devolved Tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland. We work with an independent judiciary across a wide range of jurisdictions to provide a fair, efficient and effective justice system.
HMCTS is undertaking an ambitious reform programme. The programme will enhance the provision of a world-class justice system, in a manner that provides an improved user experience at reduced cost to the taxpayer. This 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.
The programme includes creating high quality services, modernising the court estate, updating and replacing its technology, speeding up and streamlining working practices, refurbishing buildings to reduce maintenance costs and provide much improved services for service users, especially vulnerable witnesses and victims.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Working ly with judiciary, legal professionals and tribunal administration teams, the Legal Officer will undertake initial assessments on a range of incoming tribunals work, including case files, applications, and correspondence in order to establish the level of authority and expertise needed to address the case and determine the most effective route for case progression. Working to delegated judicial functions, the Legal Officer will provide ongoing and proactive management of caseloads, identifying any barriers or risks to effective case progression and developing interventions or actions to resolve these, liaising with a range of stakeholders and the public.
The Legal Officer will be expected to evidence a strong understanding of functioning across tribunals and may be required to provide cross jurisdictional expertise.

EXPERIENCE

• A law degree or equivalent technical experience is desirable.
  The equivalent technical experience has been defined as:
  “The demonstration of a transferable decision-making aptitude, working within a set framework or guidance and previous precedents, under a form of supervision”

SKILLED WORKER VISA

From 22nd July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas. The starting salary for this role falls below the general salary threshold for sponsorship.
The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 4 April 2024, you qualify for relevant tradeable points, or you meet other criteria w a lower salary can be considered. Tfore, if you believe you meet the eligibility criteria (in whatever way possible) and you have received a provisional job offer, please raise this during your vetting checks.
If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship, 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.
The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. Please go to www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa for more information.
Additional Information

JOB DESCRIPTION ATTACHMENT

• 
  HMCTS809 Legal Officer attraction pack May25 v5.pdf (Job Description Attachment)

YOUR ROLE

Working within a Courts & Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC) or Regional Hearing Centre (RHC), you will support the effective administration of Tribunals business by undertaking a range of complex case work and assessment activity in order to determine how best to advance caseloads and remove any barriers to effective and timely case progression.
Working as part of a team as well as independently, under the supervision of a Senior Legal Officer and leadership judiciary, the Legal Officer will make case management decisions as part of their delegated judicial powers. A Legal Officer will liaise with key stakeholders and HMCTS colleagues to ensure the effective administration of justice.

THE KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE ROLE INCLUDE:

Initial Case Assessment

The Legal Officer will be required to undertake initial assessment on incoming tribunals documentation and liaise with various stakeholders, including service users, to ensure effective case progression. This will include:

• Identifying that claims / appeals have been lodged within the relevant timelines.
• Ensuring that claims / appeals are being addressed by the correct tribunal and at the correct tribunal tier.
• Ensuring any relevant fees have been paid by claimants / appellants.
• Ensuring claims / appeals are made on the correct. documentation and that all of the information necessary to progress the case is present.
• Ensuring claims and appeals are allocated to the correct appeal type and w appropriate listing track.
• Triaging of referrals to appropriate authority.
• Providing instructions to administrative staff.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Legal Officer/Tribunal Caseworker will report to a manager within a Courts & Tribunals Service Centre or Regional Hearing Centre. When working under delegated judicial functions, the Legal Officer/Tribunal Caseworker will receive significant technical input and direction from the relevant tribunal judiciary.

Undertake any administration necessary to support the effective delivery of the Legal Officer/Tribunal Caseworker role, ensuring:

• All relevant documentation is completed fully, accurately and in timely manner.
• All physical and electronic tribunal case files and records are maintained in accordance with policy and data protection protocols

This role is part of the Legal 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 the breadth of the UK, 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