Court ushers make sure that everyone involved with a court case is in the right place and knows what they have to do.

The duties include:

• preparing the courtroom
• checking that witnesses, defendants and lawyers are present
• calling the defendant and witnesses into court
• administering oaths
• labelling evidence and passing it to the judge and jury
• passing messages between lawyers and legal advisers
• keeping order in the public areas
• inputting data to the computer system, filing and photocopying.

In crown court cases, a ‘sworn usher’ swears on oath to stop anyone unauthorised from approaching the jury. These duties include:

• escorting the jury to and from the courtroom
• staying on duty outside the jury room
• taking messages between the jury and the judge
• organising hotel accommodation if the jurors need to stay overnight.

In Scotland, ushers in sheriff courts are known as court officers. In the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary, they are known as macers.

Hours and Environment

As a full-time court usher you will usually work 37 hours a week between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to do late sessions. Part-time work is often available.

You will work in courtrooms and offices, and at reception desks. You may sometimes need to travel between different courts. If you are a sworn usher, you may sometimes need to spend nights away from home in a hotel.

You will wear dark clothes and a calf-length gown when in court.

Skills and Interests

To be a court usher, you should:

• have good communication and ‘people’ skills
• be confident and assertive
• be able to deal with difficult people
• stay calm under pressure
• have a tolerant and non-judgemental attitude
• have a clear speaking voice
• work well as part of a team
• respect confidential information.

Entry

You do not usually need formal qualifications to become a court usher. The courts will be more experienced in your personal qualities and life experience.

You should have experience of dealing with the public and handling difficult situations. A background in the police or the Armed Forces may be particularly helpful. You may also have an advantage if you have experience of administrative work.

A driving licence may be required if your job involves travel between courts.

Training

You will be trained on the job, by shadowing an experienced usher and gradually taking on more duties as you gain experience.

Your training will also usually include short in-house courses in areas like security, handling difficult situations and equality awareness.

Opportunities

In England and Wales, you will work for Her Majesty's Courts Service (HCMS), which oversees all magistrates' courts and crown courts.

In Scotland, you will be a civil servant employed by the Scottish Courts Service, an agency of the Scottish Executive.

In Northern Ireland, you be a civil servant employed by the Northern Ireland Court Service.

There are magistrates’ and district courts in most towns and cities. County, crown and sheriff courts are found in larger towns and cities.

Jobs are advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus and on the various Courts Service websites.

With experience, you could supervise a team of ushers (or court officers and macers in Scotland). You could also be promoted to become an administrative officer (see the Court Administrative Officer profile for more details).

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guide only.

Court ushers, officers and macers are usually paid between £11,000 and £14,000 a year.

Further information

Hayweight House
23 Lauriston Street
Edinburgh
EH3 9DQ
Tel: 0131 229 9200 9 Riverside Court
Don Road
Sheffield
S9 2TJ Clive House
Petty France
London
SW1H 9HD
Tel: 020 7189 2000