District court secretary

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as a district court secretary, tending to criminal, enforcement and restraining order cases. Criminal cases are processed both in writing and in session. I take care of the preparations related to sessions. I summon the parties, invite them to attend the session, prepare the sentence and minutes templates and reserve the court rooms. During the session, the district court secretary writes the minutes as well as the entries required for the sentence, records the hearings of each party and makes sure that the remote connection in the room works. 

With regard to enforcement, I am responsible for preparing warrants of arrest, travel bans, collateral seizures or seizures and other urgent enforcement decisions as well as the summons. In terms of restraining orders, I send the summons, draw up the minutes and decision template and submit the required information to the police.  

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I started my career as a 19-year-old messenger for the Lahti magistrate, where I later became an office secretary. Later on, the magistrate was integrated into the Lahti city court, which eventually became the Päijät-Häme district court. In other words, I have been employed by the judicial system for over 40 years, and I love my job. 

Describe your typical working day or week.

My typical work week comprises a wide range of tasks. Occasionally, I work one-week enforcement shifts, which can be challenging and busy. Enforcement cases must be wrapped up quickly, and they always take precedence. The week usually also includes sessions, sometimes several a day. The district court secretary takes care of the arrangements related to sessions, such as reserving court rooms, setting up the schedule, arranging a translator as well as staying in touch with the prosecutor and advisers. 

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I work on the district court premises and sometimes remotely from home. We work office hours, with an option of flex-periods.  

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

In this job, you need to be flexible and able to adapt to busy periods and rapidly changing situations. Good interaction skills are a must because the job involves cooperation with many different parties. A positive attitude and belief in your own work are essential. Decision-making requires certainty and a clear vision of what you are doing.  

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best thing about my job is its diverse nature. I feel that I am good at my job and it is going well. It is particularly rewarding to gain praise from advisers, partners and customers. 

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

The stressful part of the job is having to work stressful cases. The worst are violent crimes, homicides and especially crimes against children. Professional help and talking to colleagues help with processing issues.  

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a district court secretary?

In this job you encounter difficult issues, which is something to bear in mind when considering it as a career option. However, in addition to criminal cases, the district court offers many other tasks, such as processing applications or working at the registry. 

How do you see the future of your profession?

The judicial system is the foundation of society so it is not like the work will disappear any time soon. In future, developing information systems may make the job easier.