18602 - Bailiff

As part of our recruitment process for this bailiff vacancy, we aim to support candidates by sharing interview questions in advance. If you are selected for interview, you will receive the questions relating to the assessed behaviours when we notify you that you are required to book your interview slot. This will help you prepare and reflect on relevant examples from your experience.

During the interview, the panel will ask follow-up questions to explore your responses in more depth and gain further insight into your skills and experience. Please note that strengths-based questions will not be shared in advance.

Assessed behaviours are:

Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Communicating & Influencing
We asked some bailiffs what they loved about their job, and here are their responses:

"The abilities you need as a bailiff is the ability to listen, to be a good communicator and you need a persuasive manner to explain that it's an order from the Courts that has to be carried out, whilst, showing great empathy for customers.

I do love this job, it's only my 3rd job since I left school, I'm 58, my first job I had for around 39 years, I probably haven't got another 39 left, but if I did, I'd hope I'm still a bailiff."

"Being a bailiff is incredibly rewarding…you are part of a select group within HMCTS, you can draw on the experience of colleagues who will always be on hand to give advice or support you when needed. It's not just a job- it's who you are and how you deliver it."

Your role

We understand that this role will not suit everyone, but if you like a dynamic job that has different challenges each day a bailiff role may suit you.

To be a successful bailiff, you will be an excellent communicator. You need to be able to swiftly assess circumstances, adapt accordingly and be a confident leader in emotionally charged situations.

As a Bailiff you will be visiting people in their homes and businesses, you must be able to calmly explain why you are visiting and what options are available to help resolve matters. You must be able to demonstrate empathy for court users, be non-judgmental but focussed on carrying out your role whilst fully respecting the customers that you meet.

You will be able to plan your days to manage your workload but be able to cope and adapt with plans changing at short notice.

We give you the option of using your own car or, following successful completion of your probation period, a lease car, (UK driving licence required for a lease car) so a full licence entitling you to drive permanently in Great Britain is essential. Fuel allowances are paid. You will receive full PPE and safety training to give you the knowledge and confidence to conduct your bailiff duties successfully. You should be familiar with using IT and be comfortable with receiving training on the courts case management systems.

If you have excellent customer service skills, prefer working away from an office, enjoy working by yourself or in a small team and like your days to be varied, then working as a bailiff may be the job for you.

Not to be confused with private Bailiffs, this role gives you the opportunity to make a difference in HMCTS and develop your career within the Civil Service.

We're passionate about delivering Justice for everybody in the UK. That means having a diverse workforce that fully represents the people we serve so if you have the confidence and desire to make a difference and are interested, please apply.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide support for the legal system across England and Wales, ensuring justice works for everyone.

Our Justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society. It protects some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, from families in crisis to claimants and commercial businesses. We have a responsibility to deliver a Justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. HMCTS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs and are agreed prior to appointment. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy.

Applications for part-time working would be considered however due to the nature of the role the minimum hours would be 30 hours per week over 4 days.