Court officer
Career outlook for court officer
Average UK salary
£23,920
Currently employed in Scotland
1,000
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would prepare the courtroom before a case, escort the Sheriff or Justice to and from the court, and help them with their requirements.
You’d work closely with the clerk of court, police officers and security officers to ensure the work of the court is conducted in an orderly and efficient manner.
You’d be responsible for items, like evidence, that will be produced in court and collect witnesses from the witness rooms and bring them into court.
You would:
- Answer phone calls, and assist people visting the court building
- Check in witnesses for court cases and direct them to the right places
- Do general duties in the courtroom, like calling witnesses, handling items of evidence that are produced in court, escorting the Sheriff to and from court, keeping witnesses and jurors informed of the proceedings and help with showing CCTV evidence
- Help to ensure security and appropriate standards of behaviour in the court building
- Do administration such as filing, photocopying and distributing internal court papers
- Collect letters and legal documents and prepare the mail to send out each day
- Deliver cash and cheques to the bank at the end of the day
- Get reference books from the library for the Sheriffs or officials during the court proceedings.
- Move documents or other light items to and from the court
- Update court reference guides
- Make sure the members of a jury have privacy to consider their verdict
- Set up audio/visual equipment and screens for cases with vulnerable witnesse
- Open and close the court building
- Report any repairs needed in the court building
You would need to able to deal with people in what could be a difficult situation for them. They might be anxious and worried about being in court so it would be important to be calm and tactful in dealing with them.
Some of the cases may be very distressing but it would be important to not get emotionally involved. You’d also need to respect confidentiality.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
40%
Part-time
52%
Self employed
8%
Create a qualification route
We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeSearch course options
Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.
Find coursesSearch job opportunities
If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.
Find a jobTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Reliable
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Listening
- Verbal communication
- Cooperating
- Respecting
Skills Explorer
Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.
Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.
Use the Skills Explorer toolGetting in
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Qualifications
There are no formal qualifications required for this job.
You would be employed by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. It will give you specialised training so you are equipped to do the job and help you develop new skills.
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
- Administration
- ICT subjects
- Languages
- Social studies such as modern studies
Helpful to have
Qualifications and experience that demonstrate communication skills, the ability to work with the public and handle difficult situations and an understanding of the security /legal sector such as:
- Skills for Work Uniformed and Emergency Services (SCQF level 4)
- Scottish Vocational Qualification in Courts and Tribunal Operations (SVQ level 2/3)
A driving licence can also be helpful.