Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

The Work

Court Ushers or Judicial Assistants provide personal assistance in various forms to the judges to whom they are assigned.

Such assistance was, and in many cases continues to be, provided to each Supreme Court and High Court Judge by his or her Court Usher (in the past also called a Tipstaff), and to Circuit Court Judges by his or her Court Crier.

The work of Court Ushers and Criers is broadly similar but differs in emphasis according to the work of the judge concerned. In brief summary, the function of an usher or crier is:

• Maintaining proper order in the courtroom and managing the judge’s chambers;
• collecting and delivery of correspondence and papers for the judge, photocopying, collecting and disposing of court files;
• to act as a buffer between lawyers, litigants and judge;
• to protect the independence of the judge from any appearance of partiality;
• to marshal witnesses, lawyers and litigants to the correct court;
• to provide a degree of personal security for the judge;
• to facilitate settlement talks e.g. by communicating requests for more time to the judge;
• to assist in keeping a diary for the judge of court appointments;
• to drive the judge when needed.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, or statements of issues involved in cases, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations.
• Research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court.
• Draft or proofread judicial opinions, decisions, or citations.
• Confer with judges concerning legal questions, construction of documents, or granting of orders.
• Review complaints, petitions, motions, or pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved or basis for relief.
• Keep abreast of changes in the law and inform judges when cases are affected by such changes.
• Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments or record necessary case information.
• Review dockets of pending litigation to ensure adequate progress.
• Communicate with counsel regarding case management or procedural requirements.
• Respond to questions from judicial officers or court staff on general legal issues.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

The phasing out of Ushers and Criers and their replacement by Judicial Assistants followed the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (also known as An Bord Snip Nua), and the subsequent enactment of the Financial Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Act 2011.

New appointees as Judges of the Supreme Court, High Court and Circuit Court are no longer entitled to the services of an individual Usher or Crier, but rather are provided with the services of a Judicial Assistant drawn from a panel of such persons on an “as required” basis.

Unlike existing Ushers and Criers who are not, in general, third level graduates, the new Judicial Assistants require a law degree at a minimum of level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications or an appropriate professional qualification, as well as an extensive knowledge of Irish Law and the Irish legal system.

The new Judicial Assistants are expected to provide personal assistance to any judge to whom they are assigned from time to time of a similar nature to that presently provided by Ushers and Criers, but in addition they must be able to undertake judicial research, draft legal memos and proof-read judgments if required by the judge.

The first Judicial Assistant posts were advertised in July 2012 on www.publicjobs.ie.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €71k

Salaries vary by employer, duties, role, relevant salary scale in department, experience, grade, and location

Data Source(s):
Glassdoor/ Court Service/ GOV.ie/ Forsa

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
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• Courts Service

  • 15-24 Phoenix Street North. Smithfield, Dublin 7
  • (01) 888 6000
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• Department of Justice and Equality

  • 94 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
  • (01) 602 8202
  • [email protected]
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