Court Administrative Assistant

Job Description:

Court administrative assistants help run courts and court offices.

Job Category:
Legal

What you will do:

In this role you could:

  • answer questions from the public
  • book courtrooms for hearings
  • make sure that judges, magistrates and lawyers have the right paperwork
  • prepare lists of the day’s court sessions and inform ushers
  • follow up the court’s decisions and issue court orders
  • take notes in court for legal advisers
  • update the court computer systems

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • administration skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to organise your time and workload (organisational skills)
  • excellent written communication skills
  • concentration skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (adaptability skills)
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

To become a Court Administrative Assistant, specific subjects are not typically required. However, having a strong educational background in relevant areas and acquiring certain skills can be beneficial. Court Administrative Assistants play a critical role in managing court proceedings and administrative tasks.

While specific subjects are not mandatory, here are some subjects and skills that can be helpful:

  1. English Language: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for preparing legal documents, court reports, and communicating with legal professionals and the public.
  2. Mathematics: Basic math skills can be useful for tasks like processing financial transactions, calculating court fees, and managing budgets.
  3. Legal Studies (if available): Courses related to law or legal studies can provide valuable knowledge about legal processes and terminology.
  4. ICT (Information and Communication Technology): Proficiency in using computer software for document management, data entry, and research can be valuable.
  5. Business Studies: Understanding fundamental business concepts can be helpful for managing court administrative processes and resources efficiently.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College
You could take a college course before you apply for work.

Courses you could take include:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Business Administration
  • Level 2 Diploma in Legal Studies
  • T Level in Management and Administration

Apprenticeship
You could do a paralegal or business administrator advanced apprenticeship.

It will take you between 18 and 24 months to complete the apprenticeship which includes a mix of studying and learning on the job.

Direct Application
You could apply directly for jobs.

You might find it useful if you have experience in a similar job like office administration. Employers will also be interested in your personal qualities and life experience.

Working Hours and Environment:

Typically you could work 38 to 39 hours a week.

You could work in an office or in a court.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could progress from administrative assistant to administrative officer and then to executive officer or team manager.