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Court usher

Alternative titles for this job include Court administrative officer

Court ushers make sure everyone involved in a case attends court and knows what to do.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£24,500 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 37 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Court usher

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a Level 1 Certificate in Business Administration or a Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Business Administration.

This would give you some of the knowledge and skills you would need for this job.

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a:

  • public service operational delivery officer advanced apprenticeship
  • customer service practitioner intermediate apprenticeship
  • customer service specialist advanced apprenticeship
  • business administrator advanced apprenticeship

These apprenticeships will give you some of the customer service and business admin skills you need to do the job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Direct Application

You could apply directly for jobs. You'll usually need at least 2 GCSEs including English at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

You may find it easy to get a job as a court usher if you have experience in a similar job like customer service or office administration. Employers will also look at your personal qualities and life experience.

More Information

Further information

You can get more details about careers in the courts and tribunals service from HM Courts and Tribunals Services.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and 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
  • customer service skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • prepare the courtroom
  • greet people entering court
  • check that witnesses, defendants and lawyers are present
  • call defendants and witnesses into court
  • label evidence and pass it to the judge and jury
  • input data to the computer system, handle post, filing and photocopying

Sworn ushers

If you work as a sworn usher in a crown court, you'll also:

  • stop unauthorised people from talking to the jury
  • take the jury to and from the courtroom
  • be on duty outside the jury room
  • take messages between the jury and the judge
  • organise hotels if people on the jury need to stay overnight

Working environment

You could work in a court or in an office.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could be in charge of a team of ushers or become a court administrative officer.

You may also be able to work in central or local government.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Business Administration Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: HA8 6LE

APPRENTICE ADMINISTRATOR

  • Wage: £13,000 a year Annually
  • Location: NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD, LONDON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Business Administration L1 Cert

  • Provider: HAVERING LONDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
  • Start date: 12 February 2025
  • Location: Not known

L4 Diploma in Business Administration

  • Provider: WEST THAMES COLLEGE
  • Start date: 22 September 2025
  • Location: Isleworth
Find courses near you

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