London & Royal Courts of Justice Summer Internship 2025

These operational roles are primarily customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be full time office based to provide essential HMCTS services to the public. HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices, subject to business needs being met. The role includes working in many different departments delivering service to customers in:

• Customer facing roles, including face-to-face contact with service users
• Preparing papers and files for court, tribunals, hearings and meetings
• Scheduling video hearings and data input onto in-house computer systems

This operational role offers you access to professional standards, skills development to help you continue to improve your development and performance and expand your career.

Key purpose

This is a temporary placement to support our courts over the summer period. Successful candidates will work as part of a flexible team to cover a variety of general administrative duties as outlined by their manager. It is not intended that each post will carry out the full range of duties. In some positions, role holders will have regular direct contact with court / tribunal users, including members of the Judiciary, service users and the legal profession.

Successful candidates would be expected to work a minimum of 10 weeks of the 12-week contract, with annual leave being provided on a pro rata basis. As these placements provide business cover during peak leave periods, they will be office based only and are offered on a full-time basis of 37 hours per week.

Key responsibilities

Administration

• Preparing papers and files for court, tribunals, hearings and meetings
• Producing court/tribunal documents
• Creating and updating records on in-house computer system and data input
• Draft Standard letters and correspondence, minutes, notes, reports, submissions etc., according to guidelines and instructions

Operations

• Clerking civil and family courts, tribunals and hearings, ensuring papers and materials are available and up to date
• Assisting court users, supporting listing and rota management, checking files
• Resulting courts accurately, interpreting accurately the information required on a court file
• Handling counter (face to face), written and telephone enquiries
• Seek innovative ways to use problem solving tools to continually improve the customer experience
• Modify / adjust information and make decisions to ensure relevant guidance is given to service users

Checking verifying

• Documents, records, accounts, claims and returns for approval, results, statistics, plans etc. against criteria, regulations or procedures
• Ensuring compliance and that administration documentation meets quality standards
• Role holders may be required to cross check and validate work completed by colleagues

Collecting assembling information

• For returns, results, accounts, statements, warrants, statistical analysis, reports etc.
• Work may require interpretation of source materials, preparation of bundles, chasing

Communication

• Communicate and work with the Judiciary, Magistracy, the Cluster Managers, Court staff, and other internal and external stakeholders, suppliers to provide excellent customer service
• To deliver a helpful, prompt, polite and “right first time” service to our internal and external customers

Other duties

You are required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Essential skills knowledge and criteria

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Excellent communications skills
• Strong IT, administration and organisational skills

You must be eligible to work in the UK for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional information

Background

HMCTS provides administrative support for the legal system across England and Wales, they are also responsible for non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland, ensuring justice works for everyone.

Our justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society and it must serve all those who call on it, when they call on it. From some of the most vulnerable people in our society, to families in crisis, claimants and commercial businesses – HMCTS has a responsibility to administer a justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.

Key purpose

Working as part of a flexible team, you will be expected to undertake a range of the responsibilities and functions specified. It is not intended that each post will be responsible for the full range of duties.

These roles will give you an insight in to how our courts run, and you will be part of a team supporting the important work to ensure our courts and services run smoothly. Successful candidates will be assigned to teams to carry out a variety of general administrative duties to progress cases through the court/tribunal system or provide support to other functions within HMCTS.

In some positions, role holders will have regular direct contact with court / tribunal users, including members of the Judiciary, service users and the legal profession. Working within an administrative team, HMCTS will provide successful candidates with regular management support and ensure appropriate training is delivered.

Essential skills knowledge and criteria

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Excellent communications skills
• Strong IT, administration and organisational skills
• You must be eligible to work in the UK for the entire duration of the internship

For a full understanding of the role please refer to the job description.

Locational Appointment/Preference

Role availability varies by location. No alternative working arrangements are available and once placements are confirmed no location changes can be accommodated. Whilst the post holder will be allocated to a specific office base, t may be a need for flexibility to work on a regular or ad hoc basis at other local HMCTS offices.

You will be given the option to select up to 3 preferred locations for your placement. Please ensure you only select locations that you would be willing to commute to and work from for the whole duration of the placement. We will appoint in merit list order for each location outlined in the vacancy and hold a reserve list for 6 months.

The reserve list will be based on the location preference/s, as indicated in your application. If you are subsequently offered a role from the reserve list for a location preference indicated in your application and decline it, you will be removed from the reserve list for that location. If you are offered a role from the reserve list that you did not indicate as a preference, then you may decline it and remain on the reserve list. We currently have the following number of vacancies at these locations.

Ctc level vetting locations

• posts at Royal Courts of Justice, London, WC2A 2LL
• 5 posts at Family Court sitting at RCJ, London, WC2A 2LL

Standard bpss vetting locations

• 5 posts at Wandsworth County Court, London, SW15 2SU

Eligibility and preemployment vetting checks

If vetting checks are not successfully completed by 06th June 2025, provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn as these are short term time limited roles which cannot be extended to accommodate a later start date. Post holders are expected to commence across June and July 2025, dependent on location.

Please note applicants requesting / allocated to the rcj will be required to undertake enhanced vetting checks to ctc level clearance. eligibility for ctc level vetting requires to have had permanent residence in the uk for the last 3 years and applicants must not have lived / worked overseas during that time please do not apply for these roles if you do not meet these requirements.

Application

To apply for this exciting and developmental opportunity please read the job description and complete the online application form.

You are encouraged to follow the STAR framework when providing their evidence. Please note, dependent on volumes of applications received, the sift stage may be based solely on your response to the Experience based question.

Interviews for this campaign will be conducted via video conference.

Working arrangements & further information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

Annual leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

T is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

• The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

• The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. 
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the civil service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order:

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) 
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team
• To the Civil Service Commission 

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found.

A great place to work for veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs.

Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.

Redeployment interview scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil service nationality rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) 
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.