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

Currrent Vacancies - Building Services/Energy Engineer

Currrent Vacancies - Building Services/Energy Engineer

In 2019, acknowledging the significant challenges to reach public sector energy targets for 2020 and beyond, the Courts Service established a dedicated energy unit within the organisation, now known as the Sustainability Unit. 
The Courts Service Sustainability Unit is seeking two additional engineers to join our expanding unit, one position based in Dublin and the other in the West of the country. The unit is responsible for managing the energy efficiency of the Courts Service diverse estate of more than 100 venues distributed around the country, ranging in age from modern facilities to heritage properties, which make up a large proportion of the estate. We are embarking on a decade of significant investment to improve our energy performance, transition to renewable alternatives, decarbonise our estate and meet our public sector obligations. Our goal is challenging and emerging and our unit expanding, so positivity, flexibility, adaptability and cooperation are key. Regular travel to Courts Service venues will be required.

1. ROLE & OVERVIEW
1.1 Purpose of the Role

They will provide technical support to the unit manager and other staff and assist in site reviews, gathering information, data analysis, preparation of technical and contract documentation, contractor interaction and quality review as required to assist in decarbonisation of the Courts Service.

1.2 Overview

This role will require a building services or energy engineer, who has a detailed understanding of Building Management Systems, renewable technologies and energy efficiency. As this is an emerging unit, regular changes to roles and requirements and continual learning are anticipated - thus flexibility, adaptability and curiosity are key requirements. 

 
Essential Qualifications and Personal Requirements:

  • · A Level 8 degree in Building Services, mechanical or energy engineering or similar. Additional qualification to master’s level is advantageous.
  • · A minimum of 6 years’ relevant work experience.
  • · Chartered Engineer status with Engineers Ireland, CIBSE or similar. 
  • · Proficiency in CAD. 
  • · Also, desirable:
  • · Additional controls/BMS knowledge would be considered an advantage.
  • · Formal energy qualifications such as Certified Energy Manager, NDBER or other. 

More information can be found in the Information Booklet

Current Vacancies: Judicial Assistant to the Circuit Court

Current Vacancies: Judicial Assistant to the Circuit Court

The Courts Service is an independent State Agency established by the Courts Service Act, 1998.

Our mission is to support the judiciary and provide excellent services to all users of the courts thereby facilitating access to justice.

A long term strategic vision for the future of the Courts Service sets out our plan to re-design services around court users, leveraging digital technology to streamline services and ultimately delivering a modern court system. The coming years is an exciting time to be a member of Courts Service staff and be part of our evolving and modernising journey.

The role of a judicial assistant attached to the Circuit Court is to provide assistance to a judge in the carrying out of their judicial function.  This includes providing support with court going activities, research and administration.

Being a judicial assistant offers those at the early stages of their legal career a unique insight and  knowledge of the day to day running of the courts.   As a judicial assistant you will gain invaluable exposure to court practice and procedure, legislation, litigation, decision making from the perspective of a judge, and an insight of the workings of the public service.

This experience is proven to benefit career progression in the legal field.  Being a judicial assistant offers a rare opportunity to work closely alongside a member of the judiciary, as well as the opportunity to develop one’s own professional network. The information learned is transferable and beneficial to many different careers including going to the bar, starting a traineeship, progressing with further academia or joining the civil service.

Applications are invited from those able to demonstrate intellectual ability, excellent organisational and administrative skills and the desire to work in a large and dynamic organisation, as well as a high level of professional integrity at all times.

The key duties of the role are outlined in the Information booklet which can be found below

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hold (or expect to hold) at least a 2.1 in a law degree at a minimum of level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in their final year exams.

• Have a good understanding of the work of the Irish courts system.

• Have a knowledge of modern legal research methods and materials.

• Have some experience conducting legal research (this can include academic research or research in the course of court case preparation)

Information Booklet

Application Form

 

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.

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.