Court legal advisers (sometimes known as court clerks) are qualified lawyers who advise magistrates/justices of the peace about the law and legal procedures. In Scotland they are known as clerks of court.

Magistrates are unpaid volunteers (known as ‘lay’ or ‘non-stipendiary’ magistrates). They can come from all backgrounds and do not have to have legal qualifications. Legal advisers/court clerks explain points of law and court procedures and advise on possible sentences, but they do not get involved in making judgements on cases.

Court legal advisers’ duties also include:

• preparing for court sessions and making sure that all relevant papers and exhibits are ready
• dealing with legal aid applications
• advising in other areas such as the Youth Court, Family Proceedings Court and licensing committees
• managing court schedules
• liaising with solicitors, police officers, prison staff and social workers
• collecting statistics
• training magistrates.

Hours and Environment

Court legal advisers usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some courts start earlier. Legal advisers may have to work some evenings, weekends and bank holidays if courts are held to deal with urgent cases. Part-time work may be available.

They work in courtrooms and offices. In certain court areas (especially in rural areas), they may need to travel between courts.

Skills and Interests

To be a court legal adviser you should:

• be well-organised and self-confident
• have good spoken and written communication skills
• understand the legal system and be able to explain complex laws and procedures
• be able to think logically and offer objective advice
• have some research skills
• be discreet and keep information confidential
• be tolerant, patient and tactful
• be able to work under pressure
• be able to remain detached when dealing with emotionally demanding cases.

Entry

You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister, and have passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Bar Finals. You must also have one of the following:

• an approved law degree (at least class 2:2)
• a non-law degree (at least class 2:2) followed by the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), or
• fellowship of the Institute of Legal Executives, plus the LPC.

Please see the Solicitor and Barrister profiles for more information about qualifying.

To get onto a law degree you will usually need at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) and two or three A levels/three Highers with good grades. Some universities will now also ask you to take the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) - see the LNAT website for more information (details in the Further Information section below). Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

Most courts will expect you to have recent legal practice experience. You will also find it useful to have previous experience as a magistrate, and to have customer service and administration skills.

Training

You will follow a structured on-the-job training programme organised by your court. Each court or court district is responsible for its own training, but training programmes usually take one or two years.

You will often begin by working with experienced staff in one particular area such as road traffic courts, trials, licensing, sentencing or fines enforcement, before covering the full range of work.

You will also be involved with training and mentoring magistrates, so you could work towards training qualifications such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Certificate in Training Practice.

Opportunities

In England and Wales, court legal advisers are employed by Her Majesty's Court Service to work in magistrates' courts. In Scotland they are employed by the Scottish Courts Service to work in district courts.

Court legal advisers can be promoted to justices' clerks, who are responsible for running a number of courts within an area. Some go on to become justices' chief executives.

Because they are fully-qualified solicitors or barristers, court legal advisers could move into private practice or into the Crown Prosecution/Procurator Fiscal Services. They could also become a district judge, a legally-qualified magistrate who works for an annual salary.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Trainee legal advisers usually earn around £19,000 to £23,000 a year.
Experienced legal advisers earn £26,000 to £33,000 a year.
A Justices' Clerk usually earns £40,000 to £66,000 a year.

Further information

Clive House
Petty France
London
SW1H 9HD
Tel: 020 7189 2000 Hayweight House
23 Lauriston Street
Edinburgh
EH3 9DQ
Tel: 0131 229 9200