Courts Service Judicial Assistant

1. THE ROLE

The role of Judicial Assistant is to provide assistance to a judge in the carrying out of their judicial function. This includes providing assistance with court-going activities, administrative and general support.

All Judicial Assistant roles are required to be carried out on site and remote working is not possible.

Judicial Assistants support judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the Circuit Court. Duties may vary depending on the jurisdiction to which successful candidates are appointed. You may be required to assist other jurisdictions, if and when required.

The courtroom is a formal setting. Courtrooms may consist of loud noises, bright lighting and large crowds of people. Strong concentration is key, and the Judicial Assistant must be comfortable working in this setting.

All Judicial Assistants will be given the opportunity to do the following:

• Work with members of the judiciary;

• Deepen their knowledge and understanding of how the Irish legal system works;

• Develop know-how of court procedures, court rules and the running of various court lists;

• Strengthen legal research and legal writing skills;

• Build a network with legal professionals, academics, Courts Service and civil service staff; and

• Participate in opportunities for career advancement both within the public and private sector.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Court Responsibilities

• Research matters of law which arise in the conduct of proceedings before the court and furnish a written or oral report to the judge;

• Summarise facts, legal submissions, case law and relevant material as directed by the judge for inclusion in draft judgments;

• Assist in research for draft judgments and/or legal queries on behalf of the judge;

• Assist the judge with document proofreading;

• Accompany the judge to court and remain in court during hearings to note evidence and submissions as directed;

• Set up the bench according to the requirements of the judge;

• Assist with the management of the judge’s official documentation (books and papers) required for court;

• Advise the judge in advance of lists for the following week and ensure arrangements are in place for same;

• Ensure the judge has the information required in relation to cases to include names of parties, type of case, duration of case, legal representatives and so forth;

• Cooperate with the Court Registrar and/or other relevant Courts Service staff to support the efficient running of the court;

• Act as liaison between the judge and the parties to litigation (if required) and ensure parties to a case and their representatives are aware of when their case will be heard and are in the right location at the right time; and

• Assist the court in compliance with the in camera rule in relevant cases and as directed by the judge.

Administration

• Manage the chambers of the judge as required;

• Keep the judge’s diary of court and other appointments;

• General administrative support duties; and

• Other duties as required by the judge.

General

• Assist the judge in the course of official duties;

• Accompany the judge as required. This may involve travelling to any location in Ireland from time to time and require staying in the location for the period of that assignment;

• Be available to the judge at all times during office hours Monday to Friday to perform whatever duties directed by the judge;

• Be available for official duties, if required, during the evening or at weekends. This role may require overnight stays;

• Where a Judicial Assistant is not required to perform duties for the judge to whom they are assigned, the Courts Service will assign other duties as appropriate; and

• Judicial Assistants are entitled to 22 days leave per year, which must be taken in Court vacation and not during term.

Note, the above is intended as a guide and is neither definitive nor restrictive.

3. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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 or the Diploma in Law from the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. See list at the end of the booklet. Only courses on this list will be accepted;

• A good understanding of the work of the Irish courts system;

• A knowledge of modern legal research methods and materials; and

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

The following qualifications are desirable:

• A 1:1 in a law degree at a minimum of Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in their final year exams or the Diploma in Law from the Honorable Society of King’s Inns;

• A professional legal qualification or postgraduate qualification in law; and

• Fluency in Irish and, in particular, an ability to read and understand legal materials in the Irish language.

4. APPLICATION PROCESS

Your application can be made by logging in through the link on the advertisement. No hard copy forms or forms by email will be accepted.

The closing date is 12 noon on Friday, 27 November 2026.

The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend an interview, is not to be taken as implying the Courts Service is satisfied such a person fulfils the requirements of the competition or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration.

It is important, therefore, for candidates to note that the onus is on them to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements for the competition before attending for interview.

If a candidate does not meet these essential entry requirements but nevertheless attends for interview, that candidate will be putting themselves to unnecessary expense.

The Courts Service accepts no responsibility for communication not accessed or received by an applicant.

5. SELECTION EXERCISE, APPLICATION ASSESSMENT & INTERVIEW

The selection process comprises of the following stages:

(i) Determination of the candidate’s eligibility to compete based on academic achievement;

(ii) Determination of the candidate’s eligibility to work in Ireland;

(iii) A handwritten selection exercise undertaken in person;

(iv) Assessment of application form; and

(v) A competitive interview.

Salary

The salary scale for the position with effect from 1st June 2026 is €38,700 per annum. The salary will increase to €41,756 in the third and final year of the contract.

New entrants to the Civil Service will be appointed to the first point of the (PPC) salary scale.

The PPC pay rate applies when the individual is required to pay a Personal Pension Contribution (otherwise known as a main scheme contribution) in accordance with the rules of their main/personal superannuation scheme. This is different to a contribution in respect of membership of a Spouses’ and Children’s scheme, or the Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC).

A different rate will apply where the appointee is not required to make a Personal Pension Contribution.

Salary is payable weekly in arrears by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) into a bank account of the appointees’ choice.

Statutory deductions will be made from salary as appropriate by the Courts Service.