Court officer
Help to ensure the work of the law courts in Scotland is conducted in an orderly and efficient manner.
Also known as: macer
About the job
Salary
Source: LMI for All
Weekly
£460
Average
Monthly
£1,993
Average
Yearly
£23,920
Average
1,000
people are currently employed
Low growth
No change in number of jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's 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.
Hours
Environment
Travel
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Court officer'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
Sheriff officer
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- respecting
- cooperating
- verbal communication
- listening
- attention to detail
- time management
- reliable
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Administration and Information Technology
People and Society
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.
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.
Explore over 22,000 courses in Scotland
Find the perfect course to boost your career.
