Driving is an essential part of the job role and in order to apply you must: Be fit to drive and have a valid EU or UK Driving licence. You must have access to, and be able and ready to use your own car for work purposes, we will not be able to progress you to appointment if you do not have a vehicle at the point of offer. If you have a UK licence,  after completion of your probation period, you have the option to take part in the Department’s car leasing scheme.

Please note; (i) for insurance purposes, drivers of lease vehicles, pool or hire cars must have a UK driving licence for over 12 months (ii) Drivers using their own car must have insurance for work related travel; and (iii) all work mileage is paid for in accordance with the allowances in place, as amended from time to time.

So, what do we need from you?

A driving licence.A road worthy vehicle is essential for the role

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.

We asked some bailiffs what they loved about their job, and here 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 after a successful probation period, (UK driving licence required for a lease car) so a driving licence 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.

For a full job description, please read supporting document 1 included below before applying. 

Further information:

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. HMCTS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where 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. For this particular role candidates would be expected to work a minimum of 32 hours over 5 days to meet the need of the business.