Qualified Lawyers  Legal Advisers (Magistrates’ Courts and the Family Court)

Salary £30,229 plus benefits. Pay progression will be available on successful completion of training.

Various locations throughout the Midlands

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England & Wales. It supports a fair, efficient and effective justice system delivered by an independent judiciary. It is a service that underpins justice, and affects the lives of millions every year. We have ambitious plans in place to transform the services we offer to users and partners in the justice system. We are implementing a reform programme which will modernise the court estate, update and replace technology, speed up and streamline working practices, refurbish buildings to reduce maintenance costs, and provide much improved services for users, especially vulnerable witnesses and victims.

We have more than 1,200 lawyers working within HMCTS throughout England & Wales. Most of our lawyers provide independent legal advice to magistrates sitting either in the criminal court or the Family Court, and exercise the jurisdiction of those courts under delegated authority from the clerk to the justices. We are seeking to recruit lawyers to work as legal advisers in either the magistrates’ courts or the Family Court.

To be successful in your application you will have been admitted as a Solicitor, or called to the Bar. You will have relevant experience, preferably in criminal or family law, either as part of a training contract, or through post-qualification practice. We are looking for people who are capable of gaining the trust, confidence and respect of the judiciary. As well as the ability to communicate advice effectively both orally in court and in writing, you will need to possess a good understanding of the role of the legal adviser in providing independent advice to magistrates.

We are looking for lawyers who can learn quickly and who will rapidly be able to work unsupervised on completion of an initial period of training. We will help you to acquire the skills you need within a supportive environment and through our in-house training programme.