Am I eligible?
The scheme is open to barristers, solicitors, Fellows of the Chartered Legal Executives and professionally qualified legal academics who are either:
- People from ethnic minority backgrounds
- Lawyers who attended a (non-fee paying) state school
- Lawyers who were the first generation in their family to attend university
Applicants must be seeking an appointment in the next two years (or at the next available opportunity).
It is similarly open to judges seeking to progress to higher office within the same period.
The scheme is now available in a hybrid form, the mentoring can take place remotely or face to face.
What can I get out of the scheme?
The purpose of this scheme will be to provide a safe environment for lawyers to:
- Share issues inhibiting their application to judicial office (e.g. concerns of work/life balance, self-confidence, self-perception) and receive confidential advice, support and guidance from a mentor judge
- Learn from someone with greater understanding of the judiciary
- Establish what skills and experiences are needed to support their application to judicial office
- Identify areas where further development and experience is required and consider how these may be acquired
- Decide whether or not taking up judicial office is an option they want to pursue
Who would mentor me?
The scheme is being supported by salaried and fee-paid judges from the Courts and Tribunals who have volunteered their time to act as judicial mentors.
How do I apply?
If you have previously applied to the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme (JWSS), your details will already be stored in the database and you will be able to access your account and apply to the Judicial Mentoring Scheme by resetting your password. If you have not previously applied for the JWSS then please register on the online application form and register your details and then submit an application.
To reset your password, please click on the online application form, select ‘Forgotten your password’ and enter the email address that you previously used to register to the scheme. You will receive an email with a link to reset your password.
Once you are logged on, please update your diversity background in your personal profile and press ‘Submit’. If you meet the eligibility requirements you will receive a link to the mentor application form within 48 hours.
If you have not received an email within this timeframe or are experiencing difficulties with the application form, please contact the Judicial Office.
The Judicial Office will identify a mentor who matches your requirements (as far as possible). The aim will be to match a mentor who currently holds, or who has held, the judicial role of interest and who is based within reasonable travelling distance.
Once a suitable match has been identified, you will be provided with the mentor’s contact details so that you can make the initial contact.
In the event that the Judicial Office is unable to identify a suitable mentor at the time of your application, your name will be placed on a waiting list until a suitable match is available.
How can I find out more?
If you have any further questions about how the scheme operates, please email the Judicial Office.