Find out more about a career with the Courts Service.  Scroll down for current vacancies and videos on some of our roles.

Working with the Courts Service

My role in the Courts Service has given me the invaluable insight in the inner workings of the Irish legal system
Ciaran Cavanagh, Judicial Assistant, High Court – Trinity College of Dublin, Graduate of Law
My role in the Courts Service has given me the invaluable insight in the inner workings of the Irish legal system
Ciaran Cavanagh, Judicial Assistant, High Court – Trinity College of Dublin, Graduate of Law

We offer a multitude of jobs with excellent career opportunities. Our staff are mostly employed at civil service grades where there are plenty of opportunities for promotion and career development, but we also employ a large number of staff in specialist posts in areas of Law, IT, HR, Project Management, Accounting and many more areas of expertise.

The work we undertake on a daily basis is topical and current, the cases brought to court often appear in the news and newspapers. There is a wide variety of interesting work undertaken in the Courts Service.

Some of the legal facing roles in the Courts Service include:

  • Judicial Assistant - the Judicial Assistant works with the judge. Among his/her duties is to undertake legal research for the judge and to announce the arrival and departure of the judge in court.
  • Researcher - research legislation and previous judgements at the request of the judiciary. They undertake research projects, review new case law and legislation. They prepare legal handbooks, conference papers and articles for the judiciary.
  • Registrar/Court Clerk - The Registrar/Court Clerk sits in front of the judge and records orders made by the judge. He/she is responsible for administrative matters and is in charge of court documents and exhibits. They also record the names of witnesses, swears in the jury and records the decision of the case.
  • Executive Legal Officer - Provide administrative support, undertake legal research, prepare material for speeches, lectures and forewords, makes logistical arrangements for conferences etc.
  • Judicial Secretary - provides secretarial typing service to judges, and manages and organises the diary of the judge.
  • Solicitor - the General Solicitor assumes the legal identity of a Ward/Minor and carries out all necessary legal and property management work on their behalf. They also develop policies and strategies within the office.
  • Court Messenger  - provides support to the County Registrar in his/her capacity as sheriff and under the terms of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act.

Having a background in law or a law degree is not a requirement for all roles in the Courts Service. You may wish to work in a generalist role as a civil servant where you can work directly with the public or work in a department that supports the work of the courts.

If you are a student, a graduate, just starting your career, changing your career or an experienced professional in your field of expertise we have a role for you in the Courts Service.

Current Vacancies:Registrar of the High Court – Assistant Principal Officer Grade

Current Vacancies:Registrar of the High Court – Assistant Principal Officer Grade

Registrars of the High Court report to the Principal Registrar.

The role of Registrar of the High Court is key to the efficient running of a courtroom and requires good organisation and legal skills to ensure a smooth processing of a case before a Judge.

As the definitive record keeper for the Court, this includes providing support pre-court, in-court and post-court administration.

The Registrar is the key link between the Court Office, the Court and other Courts, facilitating communications between parties, feeding back on issue and teamworking with the Registrars in other Courts.

Being a Registrar in the High Court offers a unique insight and knowledge into the running of the courts.

As a Registrar you will gain invaluable exposure to court practice and procedure, legislation, litigation, decision making from the perspective of a judge.

The experience gained as a Registrar is transferable and beneficial to a career in the Courts Service at Assistant Principal Officer and Principal Officer grade.

The post will primarily be located in the Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin 7 and as a court-going role is not suitable for remote working.  The role of registrar requires attendance in court during the four law terms with the expectation that annual leave is taken during court vacation periods

Information Booklet

Current Vacancies: ICT - Various Roles

Current Vacancies: ICT - Various Roles

Infrastructure

Experienced Systems Administrators (HEO)

The Courts Service is hiring for multiple Experienced Systems Administrators. The roles are both technical and business facing, and the successful candidates should demonstrate strong technical skills and expertise whilst also being capable of managing projects.  The roles contribute to a team driving digital transformation through the implementation of digital services that meet the Courts Service business needs and strategic goals. 

You will be required to troubleshoot and identify problems across different technologies including computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, COTS and open-source solutions, and virtual and cloud computing, including IaaS, PaaS, SaaS. The roles will leverage our investment in Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Intune & Autopilot, Exchange, and MS Teams, while supporting developments in LAN, WAN & WLAN and working with the latest in audio visual technologies, SecOps technologies such as SIEM/SOC and Microsoft servers (Hyper-V & Azure VMware) and workstations (Windows 10 & Windows 11)

Further information and details on how to apply can be found here.

Systems Administrators (EO)

The Courts Service is hiring for multiple Systems Administrators. These roles report to the Experienced Systems Administrator and are ideal for IT graduates who are looking for hands-on ICT infrastructure/SecOps experience and who want to develop their skills and career in an ICT environment.

The successful candidates will be responsible for assisting in the design, build, management and support of infrastructure and cyber security services that underpin the organisation’s digital services. Responsibilities also include assisting in the analysis and definition of requirements for the migration of legacy technologies to modern solutions and the implementation of these projects. You will be required to think laterally to dissect a problem into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes, allowing problem resolution. The roles will leverage our investment in Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Intune & Autopilot, Exchange, and MS Teams, while supporting developments in LAN, WAN & WLAN and working with the latest in audio visual technologies, SecOps technologies such as SIEM/SOC and Microsoft servers (Hyper-V & Azure VMware) and workstations (Windows 10 & Windows 11).

Further information on this role and details on how to apply can be found here.

Applications

Experienced Developer/ Analysts (HEO)

The Courts Service is hiring for multiple Experienced Developers/ Analysts. These roles report to an Applications Lead and are responsible for performing analysis, design and development of new digital solutions using bespoke and commercial off-the-shelf software.  Responsibilities also include the analysis and definition of requirements for the migration of legacy technologies to modern solutions and the implementation of these projects, and the support and maintenance of digital services.  These roles will work alongside the Applications team members, other ICT teams, contractors, vendors and business stakeholders.

Applications are invited from candidates with the ability to be hands-on in the development of proofs-of-concept, pilot and production projects using a common development language, framework or low code platform – ideally using Microsoft technology stack (.Net / Power Platform / Dynamics / etc).

Further information on the role and details on how to be apply can be found here.

Developers (EO)

The Courts Service is hiring for multiple Developers. These roles report to an Applications Lead and the successful candidates are responsible for performing analysis, design and development of new digital solutions using bespoke and commercial software.  These roles offer IT graduates a unique opportunity to be part of a team driving digital transformation through the implementation of digital services with the goal of improving access to justice for the people of Ireland.

You should be forward thinking, customer focussed and self-motivated with the drive to learn and improve IT services and the user experience.

Further information on the role and details on how to be apply can be found here.

Data Analytics

Experienced Business Intelligence Developers (HEO)

The Courts Service is hiring for multiple Experienced Business Intelligence Developers. These roles report to the Business Intelligence Team Lead and are responsible for performing analysis, design, and the development of Business Intelligence solutions. The positions suits well-rounded Business Intelligence Developers, who are equally comfortable in ETL, database development, data warehousing, and data visualization. You will work closely with the Data and Development Teams, other ICT teams, contractors, vendors, and business stakeholders.

You should be hands-on in the development of proofs-of-concept, pilot and production Business Intelligence Solutions, have a broad knowledge of technologies, particularly in the Business Intelligence space and have excellent client – facing and internal communication skills.

Further information on the role and details on how to be apply can be found here.

Current Vacancies: Head of Recruitment - Assistant Principal Officer

Current Vacancies: Head of Recruitment - Assistant Principal Officer

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Recruitment will be responsible for the development, delivery and success of programmes to support the attraction and retention of a talented people to support having the right people in the right place at the right time.

Key activities include:

  • workforce planning including succession planning;
  • new and innovative ways to attract people including intern and graduate programmes;
  • developing our employer brand to enhance the position the Courts Service in the marketplace and optimising our careers website and social media presence; and
  • onboarding and career development programmes.

Key Responsibilities and DELIVERABLES

  • Workforce planning including succession planning
  • New and innovative ways to attract people
  • Employer Brand
  • Onboarding and career development programmes
  • Stakeholder Management

Essential Requirements

Qualifications

  • A third level qualification to FETAC Level 8 in an HR or business related discipline is preferred; and a
  • Post graduate qualification in HR is desirable

Further information on the role is available in the information booklet.

Application Process

Applications by way of a CV and a one-page cover letter setting out how you meet the required skills and behaviours for the post, should be sent by email to careers@courts.ie  - The closing date is 12 noon on 12 August 2022. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.

Why Choose Us

The benefits of working in the Courts Service include:

  • Flexible Working
  • Generous Annual Leave
  • Career Development
  • Internal Mobility
  • Training
  • Professional Development
  • Responsibility
  • Corporate Citizenship
  • Structured salary Progression
  • Excellent Superannuation Scheme
  • We are an Equal Opportunities Employer

Your learning journey starts when we welcome you onboard with our induction programme and continues with further opportunities for personal and professional development. Opportunities for further education are available with a refund of fees scheme along with study and exam leave. We want you to maximise your potential and we will support you to get there.

If you are a student, a graduate, just starting your career, changing your career or an experienced professional in your field of expertise we have a role for you in the Courts Service.