What are the entry points to judicial appointment?
You can begin judicial appointment either on a fee-paid or salaried basis. There are several starting points:
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How much post-qualified experience (PQE) do I need before applying?
The statutory eligibility criteria vary according to the judicial office concerned, but for most posts this will be either seven or ten years. This will be changing to five or seven years, as soon as parliamentary time allows.
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Can I get help deciding?
Many solicitors do not have the opportunity to visit court very often and so are not fully familiar with the working of courts and tribunals. You can participate in the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme, shadowing a District Judge (civil and family), a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts), a Circuit Judge or a Tribunal member.
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Another way to gain judicial experience is to become a magistrate. They are volunteers from all walks of life, dealing with over 95 per cent of all criminal cases and 50,000 family cases each year. To become a magistrate, you'll need to be able to sit for a minimum of 26 half-day sittings per year. Many employers recognise the valuable role that magistrates play and the skills they bring to the workplace, and so will give paid time off for magistrate service. Serving as a magistrate is something you could combine with your career and benefit from high quality training and judicial experience at the same time. The age limit to becoming a magistrate is now 18. There is a particular need for more magistrates under 50.
More information: www.magistrates.gov.uk
Must I have advocacy experience?
No. You don't need advocacy experience, nor authorisation to exercise higher rights of audience.
Do I need to be in private practice?
Not at all. Solicitors working in areas like industry or commerce, central or local government or as justices’ clerks or academics are also eligible to apply. However, some restrictions apply to the types of cases which may be heard by Government and CPS lawyers sitting in a fee-paid capacity.
Do I need to be working?
Not necessarily. For example, many solicitors taking a career break may be eligible.
Do I need to be engaged in litigation?
No. Some judges who were solicitors before appointment were not litigation specialists when in practice.
What vacancies are there?
The Judicial Appointments Commission advertises vacancies on their website www.judicialappointments.gov.uk. You can also view the Judging your Future e-newsletter on the JAC website and sign up to receive regular copies. If you have any specific questions about applying for a judicial appointment please email the JAC.
Can I pursue a judicial appointment following a career break?
The Association of Women Solicitors run an annual course for solicitors wanting to return to practice after a career break, or who have recently gone back to work. The course includes information about Judicial appointments. Contact the AWS for more details.