Casework and Improvement Lead

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland. The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions. We are an Arm's Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities. Overview of the team The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) supports the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice in exercising their joint responsibility for judicial discipline. It assesses complaints about the personal conduct of judicial office holders and provides expert casework, advice and operational support in a sensitive, legally complex and high-profile environment. It also advises on complaints about magistrates. Administratively part of the Judicial Office, the JCIO works with colleagues across the Judicial Office while maintaining its operational independence and the confidence of the Lord Chancellor, the Lady Chief Justice and other senior stakeholders. Its 21 civil servants handle around 4,000 complaints each year alongside an increasingly complex range of sensitive issues.,

• Support the Grade 6 Head of JCIO in the leadership of the JCIO team and in the delivery of its full range of functions.
• Work closely with the Grade 7 Head of Casework to provide senior casework leadership and support to the JCIO's casework and business support sub-teams.
• Provide high-quality advice and support to the senior judiciary and the Lord Chancellor on judicial disciplinary matters.
• Lead on policy, project and reform work agreed by the Lady Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor.
• Contribute to the management of responses to pre-action correspondence and litigation, working with Government Legal Department lawyers.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues across the Judicial Office, Ministry of Justice, legal advisers, the judiciary and wider stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the Head of JCIO and Head of Casework to ensure senior cover is available in the JCIO throughout the working week.
• Represent the JCIO at meetings and stakeholder events such as judicial induction and training events to explain the JCIO's remit and approach clearly and confidently.
• Provide clear, balanced and proportionate advice to colleagues and stakeholders on sensitive casework, operational and reputational issues.
• Champion a positive and inclusive working culture which embodies the Judicial Office values of purpose, humanity, openness, together.
• Line-manage one Senior Executive Officer team member.
• Support the leadership of the wider Judicial Office by contributing to corporate work, for example cross-Judicial Office working groups., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where 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) - See Map. 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, where 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., A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered. Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Seeing the Big Picture Changing and Improving Making Effective Decisions Leadership Communicating and Influencing Working Together Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of SuitabilityInterview stage assessments Interview Dates Expected w/c 7th December 2026 Behaviours Seeing the Big Picture Changing and Improving Making Effective Decisions Leadership Communicating and Influencing Working Together Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here. Level of security checks required Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

This stretching and varied leadership role requires operational grip, sound judgement, strong communication and confidence in handling sensitive legal, policy and casework issues. The post holder will be expected to work with significant autonomy, planning and delivering complex work with minimal supervision. The role offers an opportunity to shape the organisation's response to growing demand and improve the delivery of a vital public service.,
• Experience of leading, supporting or developing staff, or providing senior professional leadership in a complex operational environment.
• Experience of managing complex, sensitive or high-profile casework, policy, operational or legal issues.
• Sound judgement and the ability to provide clear, balanced and proportionate advice on difficult or sensitive matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly to senior colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across organisational boundaries, including with legal, policy, operational and stakeholder partners.
• Experience of leading improvement activity and change in an operational setting.
• Experience of planning, managing and delivering significant projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, including experience of using Microsoft Copilot to improve productivity.
• Experience of working with sensitive and complex information, with a sound understanding of how to handle it responsibly.
Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills
• A legal qualification or significant experience in a legally complex, regulatory or statutory environment, with the ability to apply rules, procedures and advice fairly, consistently and clearly.
• Senior-level experience of handling complaints.
• Knowledge of the judicial disciplinary system and the wider justice system.
Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles):
• Leadership (lead behaviour)
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
Assessment process at application

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. 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. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There 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. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• 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 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
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.