MORE DISTRICT JUDGES (MAGISTRATES’ COURTS) REQUIRED

This is the first opportunity in two years to apply for this salaried, full-time position, which last time attracted over 400 applications for 30 roles.

For this current selection exercise, at least 16 posts are anticipated - 10 for
immediate vacancies and six vacancies for future posts likely to arise. All posts are in the Crime jurisdiction. The Lord Chancellor expects applicants to have substantial knowledge of the Magistrates’ jurisdiction and previous fee-paid judicial experience.

District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) sit alone in magistrates' courts, hearing cases which involve difficult points of law, evidence or procedural issues; long or inter-linked cases and those with public safety implications. These may be criminal trials of summary and either-way offences, preliminary investigations of indictable offences, youth cases or some civil proceedings. District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) can be authorised to hear cases in the Family Proceedings Courts and to sit as Prison Adjudicators.

The posts are across England and Wales and are open to solicitors, barristers and Chartered Legal Executive Fellows with five years’ post qualification experience (PQE). The selection process will involve completing an application form, including a self assessment of your skills to become a judge, and references. Candidates, who are shortlisted, will be invited to a selection day, which is likely to consist of an interview and situational questions.

In the last selection exercise for this role, women and solicitors performed strongly and selections were above or close to their levels in the pool of eligible candidates. The JAC has a statutory duty to select on merit and encourages applications from the widest possible range of backgrounds. However, it is important for candidates to consider whether they are ready to apply and the JAC would encourage all potential applicants to read the 'Am I ready?' section of the website, which contains advice on preparation for judicial appointment, such as collecting evidence of judicial skills and practising for the qualifying test. Past qualifying test papers are also available on the JAC website.


For further information contact Rebecca Astles on 0203 334 0329.


Editors’ Notes
1. This exercise opened for applications on 26 July 2012 and the application materials are available to download from our website http://jac.judiciary.gov.uk/
2. The application window closes at noon on 23 August 2012.
3. The information pack includes full details of the vacancies and eligibility criteria and is available on our website. Please note details of vacancies may change.
4. The JAC came into existence in April 2006 to strengthen judicial independence, make the selection process clearer and more accountable and introduce fresh thinking into selections

Two years since the last opportunity to apply, Circuit Judge Family and Crime positions are available for application again and there are more than 50 expected vacancies.

There is a mixture of immediate and future appointments across the North Eastern, Northern, Midlands, South East, Western and Wales circuits. Many are single jurisdiction crime or family positions; there are some appointments for combined jurisdiction posts.

The JAC welcomes applications from solicitors and barristers with at least seven years post qualification experience (PQE). We also welcome applications from Recorders or those who have held a full-time judicial appointment for at least three years in one of the offices listed in Part IA of Schedule 2 of the Courts Act 1971. The Lord Chancellor expects candidates to have sufficiently directly relevant previous judicial experience. Details of relevant experience will be included in the application pack.

In the last Recorder Family and Crime selection exercise 37 per cent of the applicants recommended were women. Women formed only 20 per cent of those eligible to apply. The JAC has a statutory duty to appoint on merit and encourages applications from the widest possible range of backgrounds.

A short news release on this is attached or you can see it on our website here: http://www.judicialappointments.gov.uk/about-jac/1879.htm

Senior Circuit Judge vacancies focussed on heavyweight crime with additional substantial leadership duties are now available, alongside a Specialist Circuit Judge vacancy that will primarily deal with business disputes.

Three Resident Senior Circuit Judges are needed to hear substantial criminal cases including murder, serious organised crime, serious sexual offences and other offences heard by those with the appropriate authorisations. The successful candidates will need to be able to handle difficult and high profile cases. They will also have substantial leadership and management responsibilities at their court centres. They will oversee the disposal of cases and listings at their centre, offering support and guidance to the judiciary there, and act as a link to the Presiding Judges and the administration.

In addition, a Mercantile Circuit Judge is required in Wales to deal mainly with commercial or professional disputes, or issues arising from arbitration claims and awards. Mercantile Courts are regional courts of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court, dealing with matters that require specialist judges but fall outside the remit of the Commercial Court in London or the jurisdiction of the Chancery Division of the High Court.

A short news release on this is attached or you can see it on our website here: http://jac.judiciary.gov.uk/about-jac/1631.htm

If you have any queries, please contact:

Rebecca Astles | Senior Press Editor and Writer | Judicial Appointments Commission | Steel House, 11 Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9LH | Tel 020 3334 0329 | Mob 07500 999699