Operational Support Officer

Proud to serve. Proud to keep justice going.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family Courts and Tribunals in England and Wales. Our role is to support court users and colleagues within HMCTS, enabling access to a life‑changing justice system.

Operational Support Officers primarily work in the courtroom, supporting the smooth running of court proceedings while also carrying out administrative duties. You will work as part of a team, contributing to operational, performance and service standard targets across your area of work.

• Prepare papers and files for courts, tribunals, hearings and meetings, processing and handling sensitive information accurately.
• Create and update digital records, interpreting information required on a court file accurately.
• Communicate with the public, the judiciary, other court and tribunal users and representatives of other agencies and organisations.
• Support the smooth running of court proceedings, preparing court/hearing rooms and ensuring courts run efficiently.
• Act as the first point of contact for all court users; meet members of the public, including vulnerable witnesses, and their legal representatives.

• Strong customer service skills with the ability to work in a service‑led, customer‑facing environment.
• Good digital and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Effective communication and organisational skills; able to communicate confidently in person, over the telephone, digitally and in written communications.
• Resilient and empathetic to deal with sensitive information and situations.
• A team player; able to work collaboratively and flexibly to deliver HMCTS objectives.

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you held such a visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place.

If you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes, you must 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.

Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). One Saturday per calendar month is required.

• Annual leave 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service.
• Scheme to buy or sell up to three days of leave each year; additional paid time off for public holidays and one privilege day.
• Pension – choice of Civil Service pension schemes.
• Extensive training and development opportunities.
• Work‑life balance policies including family‑friendly arrangements and flexible benefits.

The Civil Service recruits by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. If you feel the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles, you may raise a formal complaint to the Civil Service Commission. The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer and offers adjusted interview arrangements for disabled candidates. Veterans are also given priority access through a guaranteed interview scheme.