Court usher
Law and legal

How to become a court usher

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could take a college course like a Level 1 or 2 Certificate in Business Administration before applying for work.

College (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in court and tribunal administration.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Direct application

You could apply directly for jobs. You'll usually need at least 2 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English. Experience in a similar role like customer service or office administration will be useful. Employers will also look at your personal qualities and life experience.

More info

Further information You can find out more about careers in the courts and tribunals service from Skills for Justice.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• administration skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restriction & Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

What you'll do

Day to day

In this role you could be:

• preparing the courtroom and meeting and greeting court users and visitors
• keeping people informed of changes to hearing times
• checking that witnesses, defendants and lawyers are present
• calling defendant and witnesses into court
• directing the taking of 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 who is unauthorised from approaching the jury. In this role, you'll also spend time:

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

Working environment

You could work in a court or in an office.

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience, you could supervise a team of ushers, or become a court administrative officer.