Court Usher

Court Usher

Summary

• Location: Wakefield
• Pay Rate: £12.21 per hour
• Contract Type: Temporary

About the Role

The Court Usher plays a vital role as the first point of contact for all court users attending hearings. You will support the smooth and efficient running of court proceedings, working closely with the judiciary, court clerks, administrative staff, and external stakeholders.

This is a public-facing role that requires professionalism, sensitivity, and the ability to respond calmly to unexpected situations. You will regularly interact with members of the public, many of whom may be vulnerable or under stress, and you will be expected to apply court procedures confidently and consistently.

While you will initially be allocated to a specific court or office base in Wakefield, flexibility is required to work on an ad hoc basis at other local courthouses and HMCTS offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Collecting and delivering files and bundles to judiciary and court clerks
• Supporting colleagues and judiciary outside of hearing times
• General clerical duties including computer use and switchboard operation
• Completing standard forms and documentation
• Operating court recording equipment and maintaining accurate records
• Sorting and displaying hearing lists for internal and external notice boards

• Completing standard forms where information is clearly defined
• Drafting straightforward correspondence such as acknowledgements, confirmations, court orders, and warrants

• Opening, sorting, distributing, and dispatching post
• Collecting and delivering post between relevant offices

• Ensuring courtrooms are stocked with required forms and stationery
• Collecting and distributing stationery across offices

• Accurately recording results and checking information against guidelines or proformas
• Handling straightforward financial tasks, such as issuing jury payments and petty cash under instruction

• Using office and court equipment including computers, scanners, photocopiers, switchboards, and recording devices

• Answering standard enquiries and passing messages to appropriate colleagues

• Preparing courtrooms and meeting rooms for hearings, trials, and meetings
• Clearing down courtrooms at the end of the day
• Using electronic diaries to support scheduling

• Welcoming members of the public, judiciary, juries, solicitors, barristers, police, and external agencies
• Providing procedural information and escorting court users within the building
• Calling parties into court in priority order
• Swearing oaths and liaising with court clerks, legal advisers, and the Witness Service
• Keeping all parties informed of changes to courtrooms or hearing times

• Undertaking any other duties reasonably requested by line management, in line with the grade and responsibilities of the role

Skills & Qualifications

• 2 GCSEs at Grade C or above (or equivalent)
  OR relevant experience working with the public in a busy public service environment
• Ability to use a computer to the level required for the role
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional, calm, and confident approach when dealing with challenging situations
• Ability to work independently while being part of a supportive team

Operational Delivery in HMCTS

This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession, the outward-facing workforce of government that delivers essential public services.

Operational delivery roles within HMCTS include:

• Face-to-face court roles (e.g. Court Ushers)
• Contact centre roles (e.g. call centre advisers)
• Processing roles (e.g. court and tribunal administration staff)