Become a judge

If you’re thinking about becoming a judge, there are several routes you can take.

You’ll need a minimum of five or seven years’ post-qualification experience to become a judge.

Judicial roles

There are several routes to become a judge:

• recorder
• deputy district judge – civil and family
• deputy district judge – magistrates' court
• tribunals – a wide range of roles

Download our guide to understanding judicial roles (PDF 690 KB)

You can:

• work as a full-time salaried judge
• work as a part-time salaried judge
• work on a fee-paid basis while continuing in practice. A fee-paid basis is an agreed payment for the work, regardless of the time it takes.

The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) selects candidates for judicial roles in courts and tribunals.

The JAC advertises vacancies on its website. You can also sign up for its e-newsletter, Judging Your Future.

Skills and qualifications

You’ll need:

• a minimum of five or seven years’ post-qualification experience, depending on which role you apply for
• to be a citizen of the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland or a Commonwealth country
• to be below the age of 70, which is the statutory retirement age for all judges

The JAC will also look for evidence of:

• intellectual ability
• the ability to be fair and even-handed
• an air of authority
• good communication skills

You do not need to:

• have advocacy experience
• be authorised to exercise higher rights of audience
• be a litigation specialist
• be working – many solicitors taking a career break may be eligible
• be in private practice – though some restrictions apply to the types of cases government and Crown Prosecution Service lawyers sitting in a fee-paid capacity can hear

Find out more on the JAC website about the skills and qualifications you’ll need.

The Association of Women Solicitors (Aws) London runs an annual course for solicitors wanting to return to practice after a career break, or who have recently gone back to work. It includes information about judicial appointments. For more details, contact the AWS London.

How to apply

The JAC encourages solicitors from a wide variety of backgrounds to apply.

You can apply online through the JAC website. The application happens in stages.

First, you’ll need to provide an application letter and references. You and your referees must give evidence of the qualities and abilities required for the role you’re applying for.

You may be asked to do a written test for some roles. In the test you’ll need to:

• analyse case studies
• identify issues
• apply the law (which, in some cases, may be a hypothetical statute)

There’s no pass mark to aim for. The JAC decides how many people will go through to each stage of the process and the pass mark is based on that number.

If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be invited to attend a selection day. This involves an interview with two or three people, including a judge. There will be a role play exercise for entry-level posts.

Read the JAC guidance on:

• how to apply
• independent assessments

Book one of our sessions on judiciary interview training for solicitors

Watch our selection process role play videos 

If you have any specific questions about applying for a judicial appointment, email the JAC.