Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.
As a bailiff you will play a vital role in the UK’s Justice System working on the front line, dealing with people who are at some of the most challenging points of their lives.
About us
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide support for the legal system across England and Wales, ensuring justice works for everyone.
Our Justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society. It protects some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, from families in crisis to claimants and commercial businesses. We have a responsibility to deliver a Justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.
As part of our recruitment process for this bailiff vacancy, we aim to support candidates by sharing interview questions in advance. If you are selected for interview, you will receive the questions relating to the assessed behaviours when we notify you that you are required to book your interview slot. This will help you prepare and reflect on relevant examples from your experience.
During the interview, the panel will ask follow-up questions to explore your responses in more depth and gain further insight into your skills and experience. Please note that strengths-based questions will not be shared in advance.
Assessed behaviours are:
- Making Effective Decisions
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Managing a Quality Service
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Communicating & Influencing
We asked some bailiffs what they loved about their job, and are their responses:
“The best part of being a Bailiff for me is helping people. It is important to empathise and understand people’s situations and be able to guide them in the right direction whilst remaining professional. Every day is different, and you need to be prepared to deal with different and difficult situations as well as being open minded and relatable to people from all walks of life.
“Being a Bailiff, you will at times be working individually but we are all part of a team that can rely on each other for support and guidance when we need it”
“Many people will work with you to resolve something they may have been worrying about for some time and will be grateful for your input and assistance”
“We deliver various documents across our designated area; for companies, individuals in companies and for people in their homes”
Your role
We understand that this role will not suit everyone, but if you like a dynamic job that has different challenges each day, a bailiff role may suit you.
To be a successful bailiff, you will be an excellent communicator. You need to be able to swiftly assess circumstances, adapt accordingly and be a confident leader in emotionally charged situations.
As a Bailiff you will be visiting people in their homes and businesses, you must be able to calmly explain why you are visiting and what options are available to help resolve matters. You must be able to demonstrate empathy for court users, be non-judgmental but focussed on carrying out your role whilst fully respecting the customers that you meet.
You will be able to plan your days to manage your workload but be able to cope and adapt with plans changing at short notice.
We give you the option of using your own car or, following successful completion of your probation period, a lease car, (UK driving licence required for a lease car) so a full licence entitling you to drive permanently in Great Britain is essential. Fuel allowances are paid. You will receive full PPE and safety training to give you the knowledge and confidence to conduct your bailiff duties successfully. You should be familiar with using IT and be comfortable with receiving training on the courts case management systems.
If you have excellent customer service skills, prefer working away from an office, enjoy working by yourself or in a small team and like your days to be varied, then working as a bailiff may be the job for you.
Not to be confused with private Bailiffs, this role gives you the opportunity to make a difference in HMCTS and develop your career within the Civil Service.
We’re passionate about delivering Justice for everybody in the UK. That means having a diverse workforce that fully represents the people we serve so if you have the confidence and desire to make a difference and are interested in making a difference, please apply.
Please refer to the role profile attachment for more information.
Further information:
Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. HMCTS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs and are agreed prior to appointment. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
Applications for part-time working would be considered however due to the nature of the role the minimum hours would be 30 hours per week over 4 days.
Location:
These posts are based at:
- Teeside County Court, Centre Square, Middlesbrough, TS1 2AE (x 2 posts)
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Darlington County Court, 4 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DK3 7RL (x 1 post)
Regular travel across the Cleveland Durham & Northumbria (CDN) cluster will be required.
The reserve list for this campaign will be managed in accordance with location preference/s, as indicated in your application. We will appoint in merit list order for each location outlined in the vacancy and hold a separate locational reserve list for each of these locations. After appointments have been made using this locational appointment process, any remaining candidates who met the benchmark for the role will remain on a locational reserve list in accordance with their preferences for 12 months.
Please only indicate preferences w you are prepared to work. If you are subsequently offered a role from the reserve list for a location preference indicated in your application and decline it, you will be removed from the reserve list for the vacancy, across all locational preferences.
Interviews:
Requests for virtual interviews and alternate dates will only be considered in exceptional circumstances or as part of a reasonable adjustment.
Lead Criterion: Statement of Suitability. A sift based on the statement of suitability may be held if a large number of applications are received
Skilled Worker Visa
From 22 July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold and skills level for Skilled Worker visas. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship in accordance with the current immigration rules if you looking to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for the first time.
The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place.
If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship (or the transitional provisions), you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.
The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria .
For further information please see the following link:
Becoming an HMCTS Bailiff: Flexible Hours, Real Support, Real Impact
