Job Overview

The Viscount’s Department plays a vital role in protecting the financial interests of vulnerable people, investigating deaths, enforcing court orders and managing juries.  The Department also deals with bankruptcies and with the seizure and management of assets, including assets that may be the proceeds of crime.  Officers in the Viscount’s Department employ a range of skills and specialist knowledge to analyse issues and find solutions to a variety of challenges as part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team enforcing court orders in Jersey. The Enforcement Officer is an active, out-and-about role where attitude and people skills are key, and training is provided.

If you would like an informal discussion please contact Faustino De Jesus, Senior Enforcement Officer, Enforcement Team, on 441425 or via email f.dejesus@courts.je 

The Viscount’s Department is an equal opportunities employer, which values diversity.  Applicants must have entitled or entitled to work status.

Job Purpose

On behalf of the Viscount to:

1. Carry out personally the Orders and Judgments given by the Island’s Courts and enforce the default alternatives in criminal matters; and

1. Serve all forms of legal process (legal documents) and, in so doing, prepare the appropriate Summons and Record of Service as applicable.

Statutory Responsibilities

1. Thoroughly investigate the whereabouts of personal and corporate property, distrain such property and/or arrest the wages of personal debtors in virtue of: Judgments of the Royal Court and Petty Debts Court; and Ordres Provisoires (interim orders for the immediate seizure of asset(s) or person(s) issued by the Bailiff and/or the Judge of the Petty Debts Court.

2. Make inventories of assets seized and ensure their full security at all times.

3. Assist the Principal Enforcement Officer and the Senior Enforcement Officer in: arranging for the most efficient method for the realisation of assets (e.g. tender, public auction, etc.); establishing the priority of claims filed; and distributing available funds to creditors.

4. Prepare Summonses and Records of Service, as appropriate, within statutory time-scales.

5. Serve all forms of judicial process (legal documents) returnable in the Courts, ensuring that the nature of such documents personally served, including Injunctions, are properly understood by the recipients and explaining or acting upon any injunctive relief granted.

6. Execute, exceptionally, the personal arrest of civil debtors as authorised by Court Judgments and Provisional Orders. Following arrest ensure that the persons are presented to the appropriate Court, maintaining full security at all times.

7. Enforce Search Orders, Freezing Orders and Injunctions relating to the prevention of domestic violence and the custody of children.

8. Enforce Eviction Orders granted by the Courts under the supervision of the Principal or Senior Enforcement Officer.

9. Trace, arrest and bail/imprison persons whose arrest has been ordered for failure to appear before the Courts; present them before the appropriate Court, ensuring that the Police and witnesses have been warned for the new appearance date.

10. Trace, arrest and imprison, where appropriate, persons who have defaulted in the payment of fines. Use discretion in deciding whether further time to pay should be granted.

11. Seize all realisable property of persons suspected of, amongst other things, Drug Trafficking and Proceeds of Crime offences, by virtue of Saisies Judiciaires issued by the Bailiff.

12. Train Assistant Enforcement Officers, allowing them to provide relief cover for the Enforcement Officers and Court Officers.

13. Provide full cover for the position of Senior Enforcement Officer on a relief basis.

14. Operate on own initiative as Duty Viscount Officer on a rota out of normal office hours to provide a 24 hour all year round cover, liaising with Police and other agencies in dealing with all enforcement duties arising from such call out.

15. Provide full cover for the Court Officers in both the Royal Court and Magistrate’s Court as required.

16. Perform any other duties of the Viscount as may be required

Knowledge

1. have a good standard of education (A-level and minimum GCSE English and Maths or equivalent); an unblemished character record and a mature personality and be able to maintain high standards of focus and accuracy.

2. have a sound knowledge of the judicial system and court procedures and practices in relation to both criminal and civil matters;

3. have a working knowledge of the:

• Royal Court Rules 2004, as amended; and

• Petty Debts Court (Jersey) Rules 2004. In addition, the post-holder will be expected to gain an understanding of, amongst others, the:

• Service of Process (Jersey) Rules 1994;

• Powers of Arrest (Injunctions) (Jersey) Law 1998;

• Criminal Justice (Young Offenders) (Jersey) Law 2014;

• Proceeds of Crime (Jersey) Law 1999 and associated Regulations;

• Civil Asset Recovery (International Co-operation)(Jersey) Law 2007

4. have excellent investigative, communication and inter-personal skills so as to be able to deal with a wide range of people, in what are often hostile situations/environments;

5. be able to work as part of a small team and on their own initiative due to the 24 hour standby/call out system in place;

6. have a sound knowledge of the Microsoft Office package, and an ability to acquire a sound knowledge of the Department’s bespoke Management Information System and the Driver and Vehicles Standards Department’s database; and

7. be able to drive a car and have a clean driving licence