District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) Application Seminar
The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) will be launching a selection exercise early in 2022, to recruit District Judges to sit in the Magistrates’ Court.
The seminar
This seminar is organised on behalf of the Judicial Diversity Committee to assist with implementation of the Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
The seminar will take place online via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 11 January at
5pm – 6pm for those interested in applying for appointment.
The seminar aims to help applicants be better prepared to make an application and to receive up-to-date guidance and advice on the JAC’s selection process. You will hear from Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram and a representative from the JAC.
Who should attend?
Attendees are expected to have previous judicial experience, sitting as a judge in a salaried or fee-paid capacity or a similar role such as the chair of an equivalent body for which a legal qualification is required.
5 years’ legal post qualification experience is needed for those seeking appointment to the role through the JAC’s selection exercise.
Overview of the role
District Judges (Magistrates’ Court) hear criminal cases, youth cases and also some civil proceedings in the magistrates’ courts. They can also be authorised to hear cases in the Family Court. Some are authorised to deal with extradition proceedings and terrorist cases. They are also authorised to sit as prison adjudicators.
District Judges (Magistrates’ Court) usually hear cases alone. By virtue of their office they are Justices of the Peace.
Appointment
District Judges (Magistrates’ Court) are appointed by the Queen, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, following a fair and open competition administered by the JAC.
The statutory qualification is a five-year right of audience – the right of a lawyer to appear and speak as an advocate for a party in a case in the court – in relation to all proceedings in any part of the Supreme Court, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates’ courts. Additionally, they will often have served as Deputy District Judges (Magistrates’ Court) for a minimum of two years or 30 days’ sittings.
Court Dress
District Judges (Magistrates’ Court) do not normally wear robes in court.
Seminar
If you have any queries regarding the seminar or would like to ask a question to the panel then please email: JudicialHRDiversityEvents@judiciary.uk
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