News

The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor invites applications from suitably qualified persons for appointment as a judge of the High Court. A limited number of vacancies are expected to arise, in all three divisions of the High Court, from autumn 2005.

Candidates will only be considered if they complete and submit an application form. The form must be returned by midday on 11 March 2005. How to apply

Eligibility criteria
Applications may be made by those practitioners who have either a 10-year High Court qualification or who have held the office of Circuit Judge for at least two years. Subject to the statutory requirements and the statutory retirement age of 70, there are no age limits for this appointment. The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor will, however, expect a reasonable period of service before retirement.

Criteria for appointment
Candidates will be assessed against a set of qualities and skills which have been developed to replace the existing criteria. All successful candidates will be expected to have attained a high level of understanding of the principles of law and jurisprudence and a comprehensive knowledge of the rules of evidence and of court practice and procedure. In addition, candidates must normally have served in an appropriate part-time judicial capacity. Practitioners will have attained a high quality of effectiveness and performance in any part-time judicial appointment held and an outstanding level of professional achievement in the areas of law in which they practise. The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor will recommend for appointment the candidates who appear to him to be best qualified regardless of ethnic origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion or disability.

Nature of vacancy
The vacancy is full-time - the present salary for a High Court Judge, which is the same in all three Divisions, is £150,878.

How to apply
An application form, job description and guide for applicants are available from the Department for Constitutional Affairs:

The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor are committed to equality of opportunity in the appointment process for all those who are eligible for judicial office. Applications from women, minority ethnic candidates and practitioners with disabilities are encouraged and welcomed.