Courts and tribunals are part of the justice sector, which is represented by Skills for Justice Sector Skills Council. It includes: forensic science; police and law enforcement; prosecution service; custodial care; community justice; plus fire and rescue services. The UK justice sector works to create and maintain a safe, just and stable society. The purpose of the sector is to reduce crime and re‐offending, promote confidence in the criminal justice system, protect people and contribute to the reduction and fear of crime, and support the administration of justice. The sector employs around 600,000 employees in the UK across a range of organisations operating with different remits.
The courts and tribunal services have specific responsibilities for providing administration and support to the courts and tribunal services throughout the UK. Court and tribunal services that operate within the UK include: Her Majesty’s Court Service (England and Wales); Scottish Court Service (Scotland); and Northern Ireland Court Service (Northern Ireland).
Key facts:
- In total there are over 26,000 people working in services across the UK, of which:
- approximately 3,000 work in tribunal services
- approximately 23,000 work in administration and support roles to the courts
- 80% of the workforce is in England.
- There are 513 Crown, County and Magistrates’ courts across England with the majority located in London, the North West and the South East.
- The tribunal jurisdictions that now constitute the Tribunals Service deal with over 500,000 cases a year and resolve more disputes than the civil courts.
- The Courts service has the highest female workforce percentages across the justice sector.
Jobs in the industry range from: Legal Advisor, Court Manager, Court Administration Manager, Court Clerk, Administrative Officer, Bailiff/Enforcement Officer, Usher.
National and regional data
The East Midlands has 50 Courts, of which 33 are Magistrates’ Courts, 3 Crown and 14 County Courts. They employ 2,780 full‐time equivalent staff.
The East of England has 51 Courts, of which 33 are Magistrates’ Courts, 5 Crown and 13 County Courts, that employ 1,650 full‐time equivalent staff.
London has 68 Courts, of which 38 Magistrates’ Courts, 12 Crown and 18 County Courts. They employ 5,450 full‐time equivalent staff.
The North East has 32 Courts, of which 22 Magistrates’ Courts and 10 County Courts. They employ 1,270 full‐time equivalent staff.
The North West has 72 Courts, of which 42 Magistrates’ Courts, 4 Crown and 26 County Courts. They employ 3,340 full‐time equivalent staff.
The South East has 80 Courts, of which 52 Magistrates’ Courts, 5 Crown and 13 County Courts. They employ 2,570 full‐time equivalent staff.
The South West has 63 Courts, of which 45 Magistrates’ Courts, 5 Crown and 13 County Courts. They employ 2,570 full‐time equivalent staff.
The West Midlands has 47 Courts, of which 30 Magistrates’ Courts, 3 Crown and 14 County Courts. They employ 2,300 full‐time equivalent staff.
Yorkshire and Humberside has 41 Courts, of which 27 Magistrates’ Courts, 2 Crown and 12 County Courts. They employ 2,280 full‐time equivalent staff.
In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Court Service (NICtS) was established in 1979 as a separate civil service and is the Lord Chancellor's department in Northern Ireland and currently employs 848 staff. The Northern Ireland Court Service has identified management and leadership skills and policy skills as workforce skills issues that will need developing.
In Scotland, the Scottish Court Service (SCS) employs 1,400 people. There are 220 people working to support the Tribunals Service in Scotland. The Scottish Court Service has identified the following areas for workforce development over the next three years: increased partnership working; leadership and management; keeping up with legislative change; plus ICT and soft skills related to communications.
In Wales, HM Courts Service (HMCS) employs approximately 1,120. The Tribunal Service employs 140 people
