Legal Officer First-tier Tribunal; Immigration and Asylum Chamber

General Information

Salary £35,335 - £37,847;
Working Pattern Full Time;
Vacancy Approach External;
Location Manchester Region North West;
Closing Date 27-Jan-2026;
Post Type Permanent;
Civil Service Grade HEO;
Number of jobs available 1;
Reserve List 12 Months;
Job .

Proud to serve. Proud to keep justice going.

Our Legal Officers play a critical role in helping deliver justice. If you’re intent on serving the public by delivering excellent service, and are enthusiastic about working with the judiciary, then this role gives you the opportunity to play a pivotal role within HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS).

Part of HMCTS, the Tribunals Directorate is responsible for the effective administration of Tribunals in England and Wales and non‑devolved Tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland. We work with an independent judiciary across a wide range of jurisdictions to provide a fair, efficient and effective justice system.

Working within a Regional Hearing Centre (RHC), you will support the effective administration of Tribunals business on a national scale by undertaking a range of complex case work and assessment activity in order to how to advance caseloads and remove any barriers to effective and timely case progression.

Working independently with the support of a wider team, you will make informed decisions on how best to process appeals allowing all better access to justice. Under the supervision of a Senior Legal Officer and leadership judiciary, the Legal Officer will make case‑management decisions as part of their delegated judicial powers. A Legal Officer will liaise with key stakeholders and HMCTS colleagues to ensure the effective administration of justice.

This is an office‑based position. The successful candidate will be expected to attend the Manchester Tribunal Hearing Centre, 1st Floor Piccadilly Exchange, Piccadilly Plaza, Mosley Street, Manchester, M1 4AH
.

Are you able to reflect on an issue and take an informed and impartial approach to your work, making evidence‑based decisions? If you do, this varied and challenging role is for you.

A confident communicator and decision maker, you will effectively work and engage with all court users. You’ll understand the importance of impartial decision making, and the need to understand a wide range of information ’ll have the ability to communicate with multiple levels of stakeholders internal and external to the Tribunal, with varying communication methods and adapt your communication to your audience.

A law degree or equivalent technical experience is desirable.

The Equivalent Technical Experience Has Been Defined As:

The demonstration of a transferable decision‑making aptitude, working within a set framework or guidance and previous precedents, under a form of supervision.

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 MoJs Flexible Working policy.

Occasional travel to other courts may be required.

From 22 July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold and skills level for Skilled Worker visas. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship in accordance with the current immigration rules if you are looking to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for the first time. The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025.

Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

• Annual leave of 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years of service.
• Scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year; additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part‑time and job‑share posts will be calculated on a pro‑rata…