Operational Support Officer – HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Employer: HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
Job reference: 479922
Role reference: 21784
Position: Operational Support Officer
Grade: Administrative Officer (AO)
Salary: £25,582 per year
Location: Crewe Magistrates’ Court, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2DT
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time or part-time
Vacancies: 2
Standard full-time hours: 37 hours per week
Part-time minimum: 35 hours per week
Closing date: 23 September 2026 at 11:55pm
About the Operational Support Officer role
HM Courts & Tribunals Service is recruiting two Operational Support Officers to work at Crewe Magistrates’ Court.
This is a public-facing Civil Service opportunity for people who are organised, comfortable working with digital systems and able to provide professional support in a busy operational environment.
The successful applicants will help keep court services running effectively by supporting administrative processes, assisting court users and helping ensure that hearings and other court activities are properly prepared.
The role could suit candidates with experience in administration, customer service, office operations, records management or other environments where accuracy, confidentiality and communication are important.
What you will be doing
The Operational Support Officer will work as part of the HMCTS team and contribute to the day-to-day delivery of court services.
Your duties are likely to involve a mixture of administrative work, digital record management, customer contact and practical support for court proceedings.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Preparing documents, case files and other materials required for hearings, meetings and tribunal or court activity.
- Updating electronic records and ensuring information is entered accurately.
- Processing information contained within court files and maintaining appropriate records of outcomes.
- Providing assistance to members of the public who use court services.
- Communicating with legal professionals, judiciary, colleagues and representatives of other organisations.
- Helping prepare hearing rooms and ensuring the practical arrangements for court proceedings are in place.
- Supporting the smooth progression of cases through the court system.
- Handling information that may be sensitive or confidential.
- Acting as an initial point of contact for people attending or using the court.
- Providing appropriate support to court users who may require additional assistance, including vulnerable witnesses.
- Working with colleagues to meet operational and service-quality targets.
Because this is a court-based position, successful candidates should be prepared to work directly with members of the public and other professionals in a formal environment.
Skills and experience HMCTS is looking for
You do not need to be an experienced court professional to be considered. However, you should be able to demonstrate skills that can transfer effectively into a customer-facing operational role.
The vacancy highlights the importance of:
Customer service: You should be comfortable dealing with people professionally and providing helpful, respectful service.
Administration: Strong organisational ability and the capacity to manage several tasks accurately are important.
Digital skills: The position involves working with electronic records and information systems, so confidence using digital tools is valuable.
Attention to detail: Court administration requires information to be recorded and processed accurately.
Communication: You should be capable of communicating clearly through face-to-face conversations, telephone calls, written correspondence and digital channels.
Resilience and empathy: The work may involve sensitive situations and interactions with people who could be experiencing difficult circumstances.
Teamwork: You will work alongside colleagues and other professionals, making flexibility and collaboration important.
Working hours and flexibility
The standard full-time working arrangement is 37 hours per week.
HMCTS will also consider part-time, flexible and job-sharing arrangements where these can operate effectively alongside the requirements of the service.
For this particular vacancy, part-time employees must work a minimum of 35 hours per week over six days.
The working schedule may include occasional Saturday or Bank Holiday duties. Where employees are required to work on these days, a day off in lieu may be provided, subject to operational requirements.
There is no requirement to work Sundays.
Although the role is primarily court-based, HMCTS states that non-contractual hybrid working may be available where the nature of the work allows it. Any such arrangement will depend on the needs of the business and the team, and applicants cannot request a specific home/office pattern.
Where you will work
The position is based at:
Crewe Magistrates’ Court
The Law Courts
Civic Centre
Crewe
CW1 2DT
This is a customer-facing position, so successful candidates should expect to spend their working time supporting services from the court environment.
Salary and Civil Service benefits
The advertised salary is £25,582 per year.
In addition to the salary, HMCTS states that it contributes approximately £7,411 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, with an employer pension contribution rate of 28.97%.
Other benefits associated with the position include:
- Civil Service pension arrangements.
- Annual leave entitlement.
- Public holidays.
- Access to learning and development opportunities.
- Flexible working options where operationally possible.
- Season Ticket Advance.
- An inclusive working environment.
- Opportunities to develop experience within the Civil Service.
The combination of operational experience, public-service exposure and access to development opportunities could make this role useful for candidates looking to establish or progress a career within government services.
Recruitment and assessment process
The vacancy uses the Civil Service Success Profiles approach.
Applicants may be assessed against a combination of behaviours, strengths, experience and technical skills.
The behaviours identified for assessment are:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Applicants should therefore prepare examples showing how they have communicated effectively, maintained service standards, managed competing priorities and delivered accurate work within required timescales.
Statement of Suitability
The Statement of Suitability is identified as the lead criterion at the application stage.
If a large number of applications are received, HMCTS may conduct an initial sift using this statement.
Candidates should therefore make sure their application directly demonstrates why their experience and skills are relevant to the Operational Support Officer position.
Previous experience question
Applicants are also asked to use their CV as a reference when describing relevant previous employment.
The application specifically seeks evidence of experience involving:
- Customer service
- Administration
- IT systems
- Accuracy and attention to detail
Applicants should focus on what they have actually done in previous positions rather than simply repeating the examples used in their Statement of Suitability.
Important sponsorship and UK right-to-work information
This vacancy is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
The advert states that HMCTS cannot normally sponsor someone for this role under the current Skilled Worker rules unless that person had already held a Skilled Worker visa before the changes introduced on 22 July 2025.
Candidates who continuously held a Skilled Worker visa before those changes may have their circumstances considered under the relevant transitional arrangements.
Applicants who have not previously held a qualifying Skilled Worker visa should not assume that this vacancy can provide sponsorship.
Successful applicants must have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the United Kingdom and in the Civil Service.
For applicants outside the UK seeking new Skilled Worker sponsorship, this vacancy should therefore not be treated as a sponsorship opportunity.
Who can apply?
The vacancy is broadly open to eligible groups including UK nationals, Irish nationals, qualifying Commonwealth citizens with the right to work in the UK and certain EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their eligible family members with the relevant UK immigration status.
Other categories may also qualify under the Civil Service nationality rules.
Applicants should check their individual eligibility before submitting an application.
Security checks
Successful candidates will be required to complete the appropriate security checks.
The vacancy states that candidates must undergo a basic or equivalent criminal record check.
Those working with government assets must also complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.
Artificial intelligence and applications
HMCTS advises applicants that artificial intelligence tools may be used to support an application, but the information submitted must remain truthful and based on the applicant’s own experience.
Candidates should not present AI-generated examples, qualifications or experiences as their own.
Any application containing plagiarised or misleading material may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may face disciplinary consequences where applicable.
Is this role suitable for someone without court experience?
Potentially, yes.
The advert places significant emphasis on transferable abilities such as customer service, administration, communication, digital working, organisation and attention to detail.
Candidates from administrative, customer-facing, operational or similar backgrounds may therefore find their previous experience relevant.
However, applicants should carefully review the full role profile and make sure their own experience genuinely demonstrates the abilities requested.
Why consider an HMCTS career?
Working for HMCTS provides an opportunity to contribute to an important part of the UK’s justice system.
Operational staff support the practical administration behind court and tribunal services, interacting with members of the public, legal professionals, judiciary and colleagues.
For someone interested in public service, administration or a longer-term Civil Service career, the position can provide valuable experience in a highly structured operational environment.
Application deadline
Applications must be submitted by:
11:55pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026
With only two positions available, candidates should ensure their application is completed before the closing time rather than waiting until the final day.
How to apply
Applications are made through the official HMCTS recruitment system.
Before applying, candidates should review the complete vacancy information and prepare their Statement of Suitability around the skills and experience requested.
Full details + Apply:
https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/21784?entityId=21784
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary?
The advertised salary is £25,582 per year, with Civil Service pension benefits.
How many positions are available?
There are 2 Operational Support Officer vacancies.
Where is the job based?
The role is based at Crewe Magistrates’ Court, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2DT.
Is the position permanent?
Yes. The vacancy is advertised as a permanent appointment.
Can I apply for part-time work?
Yes. Part-time applications will be considered, although the advert states that the minimum arrangement is 35 hours per week over six days.
Is Skilled Worker sponsorship available?
Not for new Skilled Worker applicants. The advert specifically states that the role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas under the current immigration rules. Limited transitional circumstances may apply to people who held a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025.
Do I need previous court experience?
The advert focuses on transferable customer service, administrative, digital, communication and organisational skills. Candidates should nevertheless demonstrate how their own experience matches the requirements.
When does the vacancy close?
The closing date is 11:55pm on 23 September 2026.
Important application note
This vacancy involves working within the justice system and dealing with members of the public, sensitive information and court-related processes. Applicants should make sure every example included in their application is accurate and genuinely reflects their own experience.
The strongest applications are likely to clearly connect previous experience with the requirements of the role rather than simply listing general skills.
Vacancy summary
Job: Operational Support Officer
Employer: HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Grade: Administrative Officer (AO)
Salary: £25,582
Contract: Permanent
Vacancies: 2
Location: Crewe Magistrates’ Court, Crewe
Hours: 37 hours full-time; part-time considered from 35 hours
Working pattern: Full-time or part-time
Closing date: 23 September 2026
New Skilled Worker sponsorship: No
Application: Official HMCTS recruitment portal
Source: HM Courts & Tribunals Service / Civil Service Jobs