Upper Tribunal (Immigration & Asylum Chamber ) Legal Officer (Ref: 81063)

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

1.    The Role

•    Position:         Legal Officer
•    Directorate:      Legal Operations (Royal Courts of Justice Group)
•    Location:         Field House, London
•    Band:         Pay span or equivalent: HEO (London)
•    Contract Type:     Permanent
The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

2.    Background

His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  It provides a fair, efficient and effective justice system delivered by an independent judiciary.  HMCTS aims to ensure that all citizens receive timely access to justice according to their different needs, whether as victims or witnesses of crime, defendants accused of crime, consumers in debt, children at risk of harm, businesses involved in commercial disputes or as individuals asserting their employment rights or challenging the decisions of government bodies.

HMCTS is undertaking an ambitious reform programme. The programme will enhance the provision of a world-class justice system, in a manner that provides an improved user experience at reduced cost to the taxpayer. This will contribute to consolidating the UK’s position at the forefront of an increasingly competitive international legal market as well as ensuring access to justice for all.

The programme includes creating high quality digital services, modernising the court estate, updating and replacing its technology, speeding up and streamlining working practices, refurbishing buildings to reduce maintenance costs and provide much improved services for service users, especially vulnerable witnesses and victims.

Consequently, there are high expectations of all staff regardless of the job they do, and high performance is expected from everybody. The organisation is continuously adopting new or better ways of working to ensure that it focuses on just that which is essential. HMCTS senior management expects all leaders to operate in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement and empowerment, and by delivering results.

3.    Role Overview

Working within the Royal Courts of Justice and Upper Tribunals group, the Legal Officer will support the effective administration of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (UTIAC).

4.    The key purpose of the role 

Job Description

Working closely with judiciary, UTIAC lawyers, the Senior Legal Officer, legal professionals and tribunal administration teams, the Legal Officer will undertake a range of case management work relating Judicial reviews and Immigration Appeals to determine how best to advance caseloads and remove any barriers to effective and timely case progression.  

5.    The key objectives of the role include:

Case Assessment    

The Legal Officer will be required to have oversight of and undertake assessment of tribunal work and liaise with various stakeholders, including service users, to ensure effective case progression. This may include amongst other things:
•    Checking that judicial review claims / immigration appeals have been lodged within the relevant timelines
•    Ensuring that judicial review claims / immigration appeals are being addressed by the correct tribunal and at correct tribunal tier
•    Reviewing and documenting levels of complexity
•    Ensuring any relevant fees have been paid by Applicants/Appellants 
•    Ensuring judicial review claims / immigration appeals are made on the correct documentation and that all the information necessary to progress the case is present
•    Ensuring judicial review claims and immigration appeals are correctly allocated 

Case Management    

Operating under delegated judicial functions, manage the case by removing barriers to its progression and ensuring efficient allocation of tribunal resources.  This will include:
•    Extending time limits; 
•    Issuing standard directions for a party or other person to provide documents or information relevant to the proceedings;
•    Give consent to withdraw a case;
•    Make consent orders;
•    Correct clerical mistakes or other accidental slips or omissions.
•    Reviewing compliance with directions
•    Giving listing instructions to administrative staff

Communicating with Key Stakeholders    

•    Ensuring effective engagement with judiciary, UTIAC lawyers, Administration staff, user groups and representative organisations in order to progress tribunals work effectively
•    Think beyond own area of responsibility, considering wider policy and organisational implications of issues

Administration    

Undertake any administration necessary to support the effective delivery of the Legal Officer role, ensuring:

•    All relevant documentation is completed fully, accurately and in timely manner
•    Physical and electronic tribunal case files and records are properly and tidily maintained
•    Plan and allocate resources as necessary

Accountability    

The Legal Officer will report to a manager who is a Senior Legal Officer. In working under delegated judicial functions, the Legal Officer will receive technical input and direction from the UTIAC lawyers and relevant tribunal judiciary.

Multi-Jurisdictional Expertise    

Operating within a regional cluster, the tribunal caseworkers will be expected to develop expertise across a number of tribunal jurisdictions in order to provide flexible technical case support across tribunals business.

6.    Behaviours

You will be required to provide evidence on the following behaviours success profile at Level 3 at both sift and interview stages.

Making Effective Decisions

Understand own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate. Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular. Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.

Communicating and Influencing 

Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.

Working Together 

Encourage joined up team work within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Collaborate with these to share information, resources and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another. Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. Make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. 

Managing a Quality Service

Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence. Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales. Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs and gives value for money. Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently. Involve a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvement. Establish ways to find and respond to feedback from customers about the services provided.

Delivering at Pace

Show a positive approach to keeping the whole team’s efforts focused on the top priorities. Promote a culture of following the appropriate procedures to ensure results are achieved on time whilst still enabling innovation. Ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively. Regularly monitor your own and team’s work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks. Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance.  Allow individuals the space and authority to meet objectives, providing additional support where necessary, whilst keeping overall responsibility.

7.    Experience

A law degree or equivalent technical experience is desirable. The equivalent technical experience has been defined as:

“The demonstration of a transferable decision-making aptitude, working within a set framework or guidance and previous precedents, under a form of supervision.”

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• To be confirmed
• To be confirmed
• To be confirmed
• To be confirmed
• To be confirmed

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com