Union members staged a half-day strike at Leicester's Crown and County Courts, to protest about the government's refusal to negotiate over pay and cutbacks.
Staff supporting the action walked out of the building on Wellington Street at 1.30 pm today.
The strikers were members of the Public and Commercial Services Union's Ministry of Justice branch, in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Some security staff PCS members also joined the walk out – although extra security cover was arranged.
VIDEO: Andy Dyke, Leicesterhire and Rutland chairman of Ministry of Justice branch of the Public and Commercial Services Union, talks about today's walk out by members based at Leicester's crown and county courts
Chairman of the MOJ branch Andy Dyke said: "The government is trying to privatise as much as it can and the PCS is against all privatisation.
"We haven't had a pay rise for four years and we've now been offered a one-per cent rise for the next two years."
"We're paying more for our pensions, which isn't going into the pension pot but to cover the deficit caused by bankers.
"The government won't negotiate with us.
"So now we're having to stand up and be counted.
"We want to get around the table to talk."
A leaflet promoting the action stated: "We cannot stand by and watch our jobs – and the vital public services we provide - be torn apart.
"They won't talk so we must act."
The courts were still running despite the action.
