Judicial Careers

Judicial Careers

Judicial Careers

All the judicial appointments systems in the UK are making significant efforts to recruit judges who reflect the people they serve. Even if this has not crossed your mind before, take a little time to review what is required. Could it be the next step for you?

As well as the main courts, there is a vast complex of First Instance Tribunals with appeal systems. For those not yet qualified or not planning to do so, you might be interested in the myriad roles there are for non-legal members. Indeed, even with a legal qualification you might be eligible for one of these roles.

Christa Christensen

The JLD of South Hants Law Society invited the Editor of Legal women, Coral Hill, and Judge Christa Christensen, a Judicial Appointments Commissioner, to talk about these applications and you can view the full recording here: Resources (legalwomen.org.uk)

Clear information and instructions on how to apply are available on all the websites for the different jurisdictions England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland:

Judicial Appointments Commission

Judicial Appointments Board Scotland

Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission

Don’t forget to follow them on social media as well as subscribe for emails and you will be notified about forthcoming vacancies. Judge Christensen also talked about some of the programmes which exist for those considering a judicial career but not yet decided.

The tribunal system offers career opportunities which may tie in directly with the work you have been doing in practice. It’s worth reviewing the incredible variety of tribunals that exist. Below are two examples.

Lola Moses

Valuation Tribunal

Lola Moses was appointed as a member of the Valuation Tribunal for England in 2015. She is a solicitor and works for the London School of Business and Finance as Head of Legal and Compliance. She talks about what prompted her to apply for the role and offers advice to others considering applying. Member of the Valuation Tribunal for England Lola Moses

Samina Majid

Social Entitlement Chamber

Tribunal Judge Samina Majid was appointed as a fee-paid judge of the First-tier Tribunal, Social Entitlement Chamber, in 2019. Previously, she had been a Valuation Tribunal member and a magistrate, after working for several years as a solicitor. Tribunal Judge Samina Majid – Judicial Appointments Commission

Non-legal members of tribunals

There are a wide number of tribunals which require non-legal specialist expertise, for example, accountants, surveyors, human resources / trade union specialists, doctors or those with experience of disability or the armed services. If you have this specialist expertise you may be eligible even if you are also qualified as a lawyer.

Using the example of employment tribunals, there are some hearings where the employment judge has the benefit of non-legal members, an employee member and an employer member. Typically, the background involves someone with Human Resources experience, trade union representatives or with a business background. This gives a balance of views and experience.

Eileen Flanagan

Eileen Flanagan has been a non-legal member of an employment tribunal for almost twenty years. She was appointed as an employee member as she had substantial experience of working as a trade union representative. Although Eileen adds ‘It does not, of course, mean that the employee member will automatically side with the employee claimant or the employer member side with the employer respondent.’

You can read more about Eileen Flanagan’s career and skills which led to her appointment: Eileen Flanagan (legalwomen. org.uk).

Ann Crighton

Ann Crighton was a solicitor who transferred to become a barrister, despite her legal training she applied to be one of the ‘wing’ members of an employment tribunal, generally these members are non-legal but require different expertise. Ann was someone who satisfied that by virtue of working as a trade union representative for twenty years at the Crown Ann Crighton Prosecution Service and so satisfied the requirements of the role. You can read more about Ann here: Ann Crighton (legalwomen.org.uk).