Army - Court Administration Assistant
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
Do you have excellent interpersonal skills?
Are you a positive standout colleague with drive and passion to get things done?
The Military Court Service (MCS) is an independent tri-Service organisation, whose role is to deliver a criminal court service for the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and civilians subject to Service Discipline.
The MCS is located at two permanent Court Centres in Bulford and Catterick but has the ability to deploy anywhere in the world.
As the Court Administration Assistant, you will be based at the Military Court Centre Bulford, providing valuable administrative support to the Service Courts.
As the post holder, you will be involved with the preparation of specifying Service and civilian Boards for Courts Martial and Summary Appeal Courts; preparation for the provision of Pre-Sentence Reports (PSRs) for offenders awaiting sentence; preparation for the provision of custody applications, arrest warrants, search warrants and production order applications that require hearings to be conducted with a Judge Advocate.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
The responsibilities of this lively and wide-ranging role are:
Board Specification:
- On receipt of Board member nominations, check eligibility and personal details for accuracy.
- To assist with the deconfliction process of Board members prior to specification, forwarding questionnaires to Boards/Board selection panel and distribute late name changes.
- Distribute Board member packs, collate and monitor replies by specified due dates and undertake follow-up action where necessary.
- Distribute letters to the reserve Board members.
- Maintain and update MCS databases to record specified and reserve Board members, update database with statistical information.
Provision of Pre-Sentence Reports (PSR):
- On receipt of a PSR request, issue appointment letter to the defendant’s discipline branch and request completion and submission of supporting documentation.
- In liaison with stakeholders, obtain legal documentation and reports for inclusion within the case file for onward submission to the Probation Officer together with updated Prosecution papers, in advance of the offender’s PSR interview appointment.
- Ensure PSRs are received and disseminated in advance of sentencing hearing and complete draft Court orders as indicated within the report.
- Notify the Probation Officer and Probation admin. Team, with the outcome on the day of sentencing hearing.
- Where a period of detention or imprisonment is awarded, provide a copy of the PSR to Military Corrective Training Centre on the day of the sentencing hearing.
- Update CMRS databases on a daily basis. Databases are used to track the progress of PSR requests, record outcomes, provide statistics on PSR usage and Probation invoices.
Custody Applications, Warrants and Production Orders:
- To assist with the administration of applications for custody, warrant and production order hearings; this includes liaison with judiciary, Service Courts, Units, Service Police and Counsel to allocate hearing appointments; create MS Teams links for participating parties; complete draft orders and forward with the completed applications to the Judge Advocate in advance of the hearing.
- Disseminate copies of legal documentation to applicants and, where applicable, Service Police, on completion of hearing.
- Update databases with details of the application and outcome of hearing.
Person specification
The job entails dealing with important legal documentation and personal details, which demand attention to detail and accuracy. Complete impartiality and discretion is essential when handling information and in all dealings with parties. The post-holder must be able to deal with changing priorities and be flexible within their work to meet deadlines. The post-holder must have the presence, credibility, and personality to be able to deal authoritatively with the chain of command and civilian organisations in making the necessary arrangements for court administration.
Computer literacy is essential as well as being prepared to conduct routine clerical work as part of the MCS. The post-holder will be required to deputise to cover periods of leave.
The ability and confidence to communicate effectively with outside agencies, judiciary and senior officers are also important attributes.
Confidentiality
The material handled by the post holder, whilst not classified, is sensitive and much of it is sub-judice. Under no circumstances should the details of any case be discussed with any unauthorised person. No material should be copied without the express permission of Director MCS.
Desirable
- Digital literacy is highly desirable or be willing to receive the requisite training.
- Previous experience of the Service Justice System would be an asset.
- Be highly organised and able to cope with rapid changes in priorities.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days on completion of 5 years' service
- Free parking
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
Your application will be sifted on 3 behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Working Together and Delivering at Pace.
At application and interview you will be assessed against the following:
Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Working Together and Delivering at Pace.
Personal statement about why you are suitable for this post.
In addition, we would like applicants to submit a job history.
The requisite Security Clearance for this post is baselined at personnel security standard.
The point of contact for this post is Denise Love email address denise.love631@mod.gov.uk,
Application sifting is scheduled to take place week commencing: TBC
Interviews will take place at the Military Court Centre Bulford week commencing: TBC
A minimum of 2 full working days’ notice will be provided for candidates.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Denise Love
- Email : denise.love631@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
info@csc.gov.uk.
