Court legal adviser jobs

THE WORK AND ALL THAT IS INVOLVED IN IT

In every magistrates' court in England and Wales, it is the job of the legal advisors to the magistrates' court to provide the magistrates with any and all legal guidance they may need. They provide assistance to magistrates in the process of decision making and articulate the legal justifications that back the rulings. They also provide counsel to all parties in court on issues pertaining to the law, as well as practices and procedures.

Over ninety-five percent of all criminal cases, along with certain civil matters that were formerly heard in the adult, child, and family courts, are heard in the magistrates' courts. Volunteers who may or may not have a background in law serve in the role of magistrate. Trials, sentencing, bail terms, matters involving traffic on the roads, private prosecutions, and the imposition of fines may all be part of a court session's agenda.

Typical responsibilities of a legal counsel in a magistrates' court include the following:

Before each session, ensuring that all court documents have been checked, maintaining the court list, and presenting magistrates with a synopsis of the cases being heard.

Before the commencement of a hearing, a reading of any charges or summonses, identification of the parties who will appear in court, and explanation of the hearing's purpose are all required.

managing the courtroom in order to ensure that the procedures are carried out smoothly.

Managing disruptions and delays in the process, as well as offering guidance on the next activities that should be followed.

Putting matters in order of priority to make the most efficient use of the court's time and ensuring that witnesses and defendants are dealt with as quickly as possible are both important.

Providing assistance to judges in the process of evaluating evidence and developing the justifications for legal judgments

Using judicial deliberation to determine how to proceed with a case.

Providing individuals in attendance with an explanation of the process and procedure, as well as supporting defendants who handle their own defense in presenting their case.

stepping in during the proceedings of the court to, if required, clarify specific legal concerns.

ensuring that the specific requirements of court users are satisfied and responding to any complaints that may be lodged.

carrying out legal research with the purpose of elucidating various aspects of the law and the process, including making use of the computerized Legal Information System (eLIS).

taking part in post-hearing evaluations with the magistrates

Keeping written records of court rulings and submitting them when obliged to do so.

Providing relevant data to aid in the effective administration of judicial systems.

Conducting training for magistrates and other members of the court staff, including things like group activities, briefings, and presentations.

Providing guidance and direction to aspiring legal advisors and legal advisors already through training.

Providing assistance with various aspects of court administration as needed.

Legal counsel is required to cultivate productive working relationships with everyone else who is engaged in the court procedures, including the police, the probation officials, and the members of the prison service. They have administrative assistants working for them to help them.

Legal advisors at the Magistrates' Court work around 37 hours each week, often beginning their days at 8.45 am and ending them at 5.00 pm, Monday through Friday. It is acceptable to have flexible working arrangements, provided that such options are available during court hearings. In order to handle urgent legal petitions and hearings, legal advisors are often forced to work outside of usual working hours, on weekends, and even on bank holidays. Work on a part-time basis and job sharing are also options.

The judges' courts are where legal counsel is often located. When they are not in court, they do their duties from a workstation in the same building that has access to a computer. They may have to go from one court in one region of the nation to another court in the same region.

In the courtroom as well as the offices, you are expected to wear formal attire.

The beginning wage for a legal advisor in training is £27,137, whereas the starting income for a trainee legal adviser is £18,775. Tier 1 legal counsel may make a maximum annual salary of £45,827. Tier 2 legal counsel may make a maximum annual salary of £50,192.

The Civil Service pension program welcomes applicants from firms that provide legal advice.

HOW TO BEGIN THIS OPTION FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Her Majesty's Court Service is the employer of legal advisors who work in the Magistrates' Court (HMCS). In the nearly 600 different magistrates' courts that may be found throughout England and Wales, there are over 2,000 legal advisors at work.

There is a substantial amount of turnover in available positions. They are publicized in newspapers both regional and national, in addition to websites run by the government of the United Kingdom (GOV UK), such as www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service.

It's also a good idea to submit a cover letter and resume to the specific magistrates' courts in your area, especially if you're looking for a position as a trainee legal advisor.

EDUCATIONAL AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

There are two primary positions that are considered to be entry-level: legal adviser in training and trainee legal adviser.

Candidates for positions as trainee legal advisers are required to have successfully completed the academic portion of the training to become a solicitor or barrister. This stage of training requires candidates to study for one of the following qualifications:

An authorized law degree (usually with a 2:1 classification or better).

A bachelor's degree in any field, then one of the following:

The Common Professional Examination, most often known as the CPE.

The Graduate Diploma in Law Fellowship, often known as the GDL Fellowship, is offered by the Institute of Legal Executives.

The next step is to finish the Legal Practice Course (LPC for solicitors) or the Bar Vocational Course, whichever one applies to you (BVC - for barristers). The only people who are allowed to apply for the LPC course are Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives.

Applicants who have gone on to successfully complete a recognized training contract as a solicitor or pupilage as a barrister are eligible to apply for the position of a legal advisor in training.

Please refer to the job guidelines for the positions of solicitor, barrister, and legal executive for more information.

Taking either an Access course or a foundation degree as preparation for enrolling in a degree program is something that can be an option. Current members of the HMCS staff are eligible to submit applications for scholarship funds to help them with their training fees.

SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES NEEDED

A legal consultant in the magistrates' court need to be:

Excellent in conveying in a clear and simple manner information that is either complicated or difficult to understand, either vocally or in writing.

self-assured, dependable, and conscious of one's responsibilities.

Positivist, patient, and sensitive to the situation.

Skilled at organizing, finding solutions to problems, and managing time effectively.

Able to multi-task and prioritise.

Capable of thinking fast and rationally as well as providing advise that is objective.

Capable of operating effectively under adverse conditions.

conscious of the need of maintaining secrecy.

Aware of the concerns around health and safety inside the court.

Ability to interact well with others.

Capable of maintaining emotional distance even when working on emotionally taxing issues.

competent in the use of information technology and comfortable making presentations.

YOUR OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LONG TERM

Within the system of magistrates' courts, legal advisors have the opportunity to further their careers by focusing on the legal, educational, or management components of their employment.

Tier 1 legal advisors have the potential to advance to Tier 2-4 level roles, where they would have regional and national duties. Eventually, they may have the opportunity to advance to the position of justices' clerk, where they would serve as senior legal advisers to judges.

When they reach Tier 2, they become eligible for appointment to the position of judge. The instruction of judges, the supervision of a team of legal advisors working in magistrates' courts, or the management of an entire court's legal department are all examples of possible specialized posts.

Legal counsel are eligible to submit applications for additional legal roles and secondments within the Civil Service, such as those found in the Crown Prosecution Service. Some people make the decision to put their prior work experience to use by pursuing a career as a barrister or attorney.