Can I apply?
The JAC welcomes applications from any suitably qualified person.
For every vacancy we will receive a vacancy request from the Ministry of Justice which details both the statutory and non-statutory requirements for that specific post.
The JAC assesses candidates against these requirements, and also against the qualities and abilities that the Commission has identified as inherent in any good Judge.
The Lord Chancellor expects that, before being considered for salaried appointment, individuals must normally have served as a fee paid judicial office holder for at least two years or have completed 30 sitting days since appointment in a fee paid capacity.
The JAC recognises that experience as a judicial office holder can provide a valuable insight into judicial life and help candidates for salaried posts decide whether a full time appointment is likely to suit them. This is particularly useful as by convention salaried judges do not return to practice.
The JAC therefore regards fee paid experience as a desirable, but not essential, criterion for salaried judicial office and this is consistent with the Lord Chancellor's policy. You can read more information about fee paid roles here.
PLEASE NOTE: Full eligibility requirements for each post will be detailed in the information pack for that selection exercise.
Solicitors and barristers
For most posts you will need to have possessed the relevant legal qualification for either five or seven years, and while holding that qualification to have been gaining legal experience.
A solicitor is regarded as being qualified on admission to the Roll and a barrister on completion of pupilage, or if not required to undertake pupilage on being called to the Bar. Solicitors and barristers are regarded as continuing to hold their qualification even if they do not practise, but those wishing to apply on the basis of their qualification as a solicitor must appear on the Roll, and in all cases must be able to demonstrate that they have been gaining legal experience.
Government lawyers are eligible to apply for all judicial posts, but when sitting as a fee paid Judge they must not hear cases involving their own Department . This restriction has the biggest impact on Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyers because the CPS brings most prosecutions. However, a limited number of Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) posts hear only non-CPS prosecuted work. CPS lawyers may apply for any post, as long as they meet the specific eligibility requirements for that exercise. As with all other applicants, applications from eligible CPS lawyers will be judged by the JAC solely on merit.
Not only solicitors and barristers can apply.
The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act (2007) has widened the eligibility for many Judicial posts. Where this applies, eligibility for judicial office is no longer based on possession of rights of audience for a specified period. It has opened up some judicial posts beyond solicitors and barristers for the first time, including Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX), members of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) and the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA). The list of posts they may apply for are:
- ILEX Fellows: Deputy District Judge, Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts), Road User Charging Adjudicator, Legally Qualified Member of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, Legally Qualified member of the Employment Tribunal, Judge of the First-tier Tribunal, Adjudicators (regulation 17 Civil Enforcement of Parking Conventions)
From 2010 District Judge, District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) - Registered Patents Attorneys and Trade Mark Attorneys: Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Copyright Tribunal, or to hear and determine appeals under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
We also welcome applications from people with non-traditional legal backgrounds. There is a recognition that the qualities and abilities we are looking for can be achieved without being a practitioner, for example by legal academics.
Non legal positions
There are a number of positions available in Tribunals for non-legal professionals. The range of opportunities is wide, covering everything from social care to tax, farming to employment. Requirements for these positions are based on the nature of the Tribunal, and candidates must be able to demonstrate the relevant professional experience.
Nationality requirements
Judicial appointments are open only to citizens of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland or a Commonwealth country. Holders of dual nationality that includes one of the above may also apply.
Age limits
There is no upper or lower age limit for candidates for judicial appointments apart from the statutory retirement age of 70 for all judges However the age at which someone is appointed must allow for a reasonable length of service to justify the costs of appointment and initial training. This will be dependent on the nature of the judicial office applied for.
Senior appointments
Senior appointments are subject to specific selection procedures which differ from our general appointment processes. More information about Senior Appointments is available here.
Disability
We welcome applications from people with disabilities and we will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the selection process to ensure you are treated fairly. Read more on our reasonable adjustments policies here.