| Fact File - Trainee Legal Adviser
Training: 24 months
Band: HEO
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £35,335 pa (National) and £40,014 pa (London)

Qualifications required:
Candidates can be currently studying for the appropriate qualifications at the point of application but must be able to evidence
their final certification at the point of an offer being made to be able to proceed to appointment.  Candidates who cannot
evidence the correct certification at the point of offer will be removed from the process.
To be eligible to apply for this post, candidates must have passed the
By way of example, the following list reflects the currently approved
academic stage of qualification to become a solicitor of the Senior Courts of
academic qualification routes. If you remain unsure whether your
England and Wales, or a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal
qualifications make you eligible, please email:
Executives (CILEX) or CILEX Lawyer by virtue of —
LegalRecruitment@justice.gov.uk for clarification:
(i)  having passed the necessary examinations; (example of which are listed
•  The Legal Practice Course (LPC) for Solicitors, or BOTH the SQE1 and
below)
SQE2 stages of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam; or
(ii)  having been granted an exemption in relation to the necessary
•  The CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice and the
examinations (example of which are listed below) by the appropriate
CILEx Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice; or
examining body; or
•  The CILEx Graduate Fast Track Diploma; or equivalent for Graduate
(iii) any combination of the two.
Membership of CILEx.
(see pages 10 - 11 for more).
4

| What’s involved in the
role?
“The requirements to become a
“In becoming a family trainee legal adviser, you
legal adviser are multi-dimensional, you
will mainly be involved in cases involving children
will develop and increase your legal
and providing the best possible outcome for them."
knowledge in criminal law and
“You will commence with private law proceedings, dealing with issues such as
procedural law throughout the two year
who the child is to live with, how much time should that child spend with the
non-resident parent. You will start at the application stage, learning how to
training period."
make decisions about which level or justiciary the matter is listed and
preparing the necessary order for the first hearing.
“Before your training is completed you will have observed
courts, been supervised in courts before you sit alone with
You will also be involved in the court proceedings, starting with observations
magistrates advising on cases involving offences from minor
and giving guidance to parties at dispute resolution hearings, encouraging
motoring and TV licensing to serious offences which are
parties to agree the terms of an order in the best interest of their child, and
ultimately dealt with in the Crown Court.
advising the Justices on relevant issues of law and practice and assisting them
in giving their reasons for the decision they make.
Whilst supporting you in your training to become a legal
adviser within two years, if you have completed the
The next stage is to consider specific issue orders, prohibited steps orders and
academic stages of your training and wish to progress in
special guardianship orders, these involve a wider understanding of family
completing your professional qualifications such as a through
law. After a 12 month you should be in a position to take all types of private
a training contract or FILEX / CILEX Professional Stage of CPQ,
law cases unsupervised.
we may be able to also support this during your training
During this time, you will have the benefit of a mentor who will guide you
programme."
Peter Curran - Senior Legal Manager (Family)
through each stage of the process."
6

Dawn Elsbury - Family Legal Manager
7

| How can I apply?
Success Profiles Framework which assesses the behaviours, strengths and potential of candidates.  The Civil Service is a diverse and
inclusive workplace, and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential throughout the assessment process.  You can find
more information at gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles - We will be testing at Level 3 behaviours on the framework
for HEO level.
Behaviour questions
Task - We want to understand what task you had
you learned and what you would do differently
Behaviours may be assessed at both
to complete and why. Tell us what you tried to
next time. Make sure you focus on your strengths.
application and interview stage (dependant on
achieve from the situation you found yourself in.
Strengths questions
the campaign) OR Statement of Suitability.
Actions - What did you do? We will be looking for
Guidance on this can be found here How to
When looking at your strengths and abilities, we
evidence of what you did, how you did it and why.
write your PS | Civil Service Careers. When
want to find out whether you and the
Keep the focus on you; what specific steps did you
looking at behaviours, we want to get an
organisation/ job role are a good fit. We will look
take and what was your contribution? Remember
understanding of the actions/ activities you
at what you enjoy doing and what you do well and
to include how you did it, and the behaviours you
have undertaken in the past which could have
often.
used. Try to use “I" rather than “we" to explain the
resulted in a successful outcome. The qualities
During your interview you will be asked questions
actions you took that led to the result.
required for the role will be described in the
to understand whether you have strengths
job description and the best way to prepare is
Results - Don’t be shy about taking credit for your
relevant to the job role. It is important to
to have examples from both home or work life
behaviour. It may help to provide specific facts and
remember that there are no right or wrong
demonstrated in the following STAR approach
figures. What results did the actions produce?
answers to these questions. Do not rehearse your
manner outlined below.
What did you achieve through your actions, and
answers because we are looking for your initial
did you meet your goals? Was it a successful
response.
The STAR method
outcome? If not, what did you learn from the
Your strengths will be assessed alongside the
Situation - Describe the situation you found
experience?
other elements of the Success Profile to get a
yourself in. You must describe a specific event or
Keep the “situation" and “task" parts brief and
more rounded picture of your suitability for the
situation and not provide a general description of
concentrate on the action and the result. If the
role. The job description will outline the elements
your job/skills.
result was not entirely successful, describe what
required for the role.
9

Reserve Lists
list for 12 months for any future Trainee Legal
Please refer to the job advert for details of
If HMCTS receives applications from more suitable
Adviser roles which could be offered to candidates
what behaviours will be tested at application
candidates than we have vacancies for at this
on a reserve list without having to re-apply.
and interview stages
time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve
10

Terms, conditions and benefits
Personal Development
Working Arrangements
With competitive maternity, paternity and parental
Whatever your role, we take your career and
This role is available for full time however requests  leave we also recognise the importance of a good
development seriously and want to enable you to
for part time or flexible working arrangements
work life balance and offer flexible working and a
build a really successful career with the
may be considered subject to business needs.
family friendly approach to work.
Department and wider Civil Service. It is crucial
Staff Wellbeing
that our employees have the right skills to develop  Pension
their careers and meet the challenges ahead.
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward  Flexible working including part time or term time
package.
working and access to Flexible Working Schemes
At HMCTS you’ll benefit from regular performance
allowing you to vary your working day as long as
and development reviews to ensure this
We provide you with a competitive contributory
you work your total hours Generous paid
development is ongoing. As a Civil Service
pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you
maternity and paternity leave Childcare benefits
employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of
join, and where we will make a significant
(policy for new employees as of
benefits.
contribution to the cost of your pension. Also, your
contributions will come out of your salary before
5 April 2018): The government has introduced the
Equality Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service
any tax is taken
Tax Free Childcare (TFC) Scheme, so working
is committed to attract, retain and invest in
parents can open an online childcare account and
In extreme cases such as illness or death before
talent wherever it is found.
for every £8 they pay in, the government adds £2,
retirement, your pension will continue to provide
up to a maximum of £2000 a year for each child or
To learn more please see the Civil Service People
valuable benefits for you and your family. For
£4000 for a disabled child. Parents then use the
Plan, Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
more details, visit:
funds to pay for registered childcare.
at
www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk
GOV.UK.
Existing employees may be able to continue to
Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday
claim childcare vouchers, so please check how the
Appointment Term
Allowance
policy would work for you here.
Permanent Location
25 days annual leave on entry, to 30 days after 5
Contracted Hours
Various - Nationwide. Travel will be expected
years’ service. This is in addition to 8 public
Your contracted hours are 37 hours excluding
across the region and base location could change
holidays. This will be complimented by one further  lunch breaks.
within a region due to business needs.
day paid privilege entitlement to what was
You will be required to work those hours over five
previously known as the Monarch’s birthday.
days, including Saturdays and Public Holidays and
12

due to the nature of this post you may be required  supplement the 25 recognised professions within
transfer will retain their existing terms and
to work additional hours to enable the courts to
the Civil Service.
conditions.
perform their statutory tasks and duties.
We are also committed to investing in our staff and  Place of work and Mobility
This may be on a rota basis or could be as directed
we offer a range of work based training and
You will be allocated to your work base location
by your management team.  You will normally be
qualifications, coaching and mentoring
that has been agreed between yourself and line
given a minimum of one weeks’ notice if required
opportunities and a guaranteed five days of
manager as part of the recruitment process. This
to work on a Saturday or Bank Holiday but should
learning a year.
will also be confirmed in the formal contract that
a business need arise you may be directed without
you receive. Your place of work as set out in your
such notice.
Reasonable Adjustments
contract, relates to your base location for the
If you require any reasonable adjustments to our
duration and purposes of training. You will be
Training and Development
recruitment process, please let the recruiting
expected to spend the duration of your training at
The Department offers engaging jobs in work that
manager know. Examples of adjustments include
your agreed base location to fulfil the demands of
really matters. These jobs have a direct impact on
providing documents in large print or braille or,
the training and the business needs in that
the quality of public services. Our roles can offer
allowing more time for an interview
location.
great job satisfaction. There are many
opportunities to develop and progress both
Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan
On completion of training, you will be allocated
within the  Department and across the wider Civil
Interest free loans allowing you to spread the cost
a base by the Head of Legal Operations and this
Service
of an annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle
decision will be based upon business demand
and requirements.
To create a more skilled and unified organisation,
Modernised Terms and Conditions
the Civil Service is developing 10 specialist areas of  Civil Servants taking up appointment on promotion
expertise.
will adopt the modernised Civil Service terms and
Cross government functions provide professional
conditions which came in to effect from 1 July
services and support to departments and
2013. Existing Civil Servants appointed on level
13

Frequently asked questions
What qualifications do you need to work as a
enable the courts to perform their statutory tasks and duties.
Trainee Legal Adviser?
Is this role suitable for part time working?
To be eligible to apply for this post, candidates
must have passed the academic stage of
This is a full-time role, 37 hours per week. Requests for part time or flexible working arrangements may
qualification to become a solicitor of the Senior
be considered where they meet the demands of
•
individuals with limited leave to remain or
Courts of England and Wales, or a Fellow of the
the role and business needs and are agreed prior to
indefinite leave to remain who were eligible
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) or
to appointment. All applications for part-time, flexible
apply for EUSS on or before 31 December
CILEX Lawyer. For clarification;
2020 and job-sharing working patterns will be considered   •
Turkish nationals, and certain family
members of in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.  Turkish nationals, who have accrued
The Legal Practice Course (LPC) for Solicitors, or
the right to work in the Civil Service What nationality do I need to hold to apply?
BOTH the SQE1 and SQE2 stages of the Solicitors
Further information on nationality requirements
Qualifying Exam; or
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
(opens in a new window) gov.uk/government/
•  The CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law
•  UK nationals
publications/nationality-rules.
and Practice and the CILEx Level 6 Diploma in
•  nationals of the Republic of Ireland
Law and Practice; or
Can I apply if I am not a civil servant? •
•  The CILEx Graduate Fast Track Diploma; or
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
Yes.  This role is open
equivalent for Graduate Membership of CILEx.
to suitably qualified people in the external market and to existing civil servants.
How many hours does a Trainee Legal Adviser
•  nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway,
work?
  Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of
Is security clearance required?
Your contracted hours are 37 hours excluding
those nationalities with settled or pre-settled   Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing to
lunch breaks. You will be required to work those
status under the European Union Settlement   obtain, security clearance to DBS level. Certain
hours over five days, including Saturdays and
Public Holidays and due to the nature of this post
Scheme (EUSS) gov.uk/settled-status-eu- areas may also require a higher level of SC or DV
you may be required to work additional hours to

citizens-families
clearance. More information about the vetting
14

•  nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway,
baselineof those nationalities who have made a valid   personnel-security-standard application for

process can be found at the following link:
settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme
gov.uk/ Iceland or Liechtenstein and family
(EUSS)
members

government/publications/government-
Do you offer visa sponsorship? We may be able to
For more info please see Skilled Worker visa:
No, only one application should be submitted for
offer visa sponsorship for eligible roles to
https:// www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
your preferred location. The first application will
applicants who meet the Home Office
be considered.  Any duplicate applications time
requirements for a Skilled Worker visa.
Does the role involve travel? Travel will be
stamped at a later date and time will be
expected across the region, and base location
From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary for
disregarded.
could change after completion of the training
sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route is
period dependant on business needs.
What reasonable adjustments can be made if I
£41,700 per year, or the going rate for the role if
have a disability?
higher.
I am having problems submitting my application
who do I contact?
We are committed to making reasonable
For those eligible under the New Entrant route,
If you have submitted an application or are
adjustments to provide support to all applicants
the minimum salary is £33,400 per year or 70% of
having issues uploading any documents, and
wherever required, to ensure that no one is at a
the going rate, whichever is higher.
you require assistance please call 0345 241
disadvantage during the recruitment and
External candidates join the MoJ at the band
5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email
assessment process. Our application form asks if
minima, currently:
Moj-recruitmentvetting-
you require any reasonable adjustments and
allows you to note these down at application
•  National: £35,335
enquiries@gov.sscl.com quoting the job
stage, should you wish, alternatively you can
•  London: £40,014
reference ID.
notify the recruitment team of any requirements
Existing Civil Servants transferring into the MoJ
There are currently Trainee Legal Adviser roles
you may have.  Reasonable adjustments could
will have their pay set in line with the MoJ Pay
being advertised across a number of different
include using closed captions or typing questions
and Reward Policy.
regions.  Can I submit applications for more  than
in the chat in a video interview or ensuring that
one region?
information is provided in an accessible format.
15

Can I receive feedback on my application?
Due to the high volume of applications, we are
only able to provide feedback to those candidates
that make it through to the final interview stages.
If I am currently working as a Civil Servant, can I
transfer across on the same salary?
Existing Civil Servants will be transferred in line
with the MoJ pay and reward policy.
16

Notes