Judicial Appointments and Silk

This page provides relevant information to the Bar about Judical Appointments and Silk

 

Judicial Appointments

The Judicial Appointments Commission was launched in the Spring 2006.

The Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission are committed to ensuring a judiciary of the highest calibre, with candidates drawn from the widest possible range of available talent.

The Bar Council is committed to working with the Judicial Appointments Commission to achieve its aims.

The Chairman of the Bar is a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission’s High Level Policy group and the Bar Council is represented on the Diversity Forum by Ingrid Simler QC and Graham Aldous QC. The Equality and Diversity Advisers attend the Judicial Appointments Commission’s Research Forum.

All details of the Judicial Appointments Commission’s selection exercises, consultations and other information such as the competency framework, eligibility criteria and good character guidance can be found on the Judicial Appointments Commission website. 

Become a Dry-Run Candidate

A valuable opportunity for those considering applying for Judicial Office in the Future

6-7 September 2010     

As part of our quality assurance process, the Judicial Appointments Commission dry-runs qualifying tests and role play exercises before use.

We are currently quality assuring the qualifying tests for District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) 2010 selection exercise. We are looking for
participants with experience in either the crime jurisdiction or the family jurisdiction and for participants with experience in both to sit one or two tests in either one or both jurisdictions.

Each test will last 60 minutes.

Further details are available here.

Gain Valuable Experience of the JAC Selection Process.
 
As part of the quality assurance process the JAC pilots tests before using them in a live exercise to determine their suitability. The JAC has commissioned a new written test to be used in the forthcoming selection exercises for Salaried and Fee Paid Employment Judges and we are now seeking suitable people to sit the pilot test. 
 
If you are a solicitor, barrister or ILEX Fellows of appropriate (minimum 5 years' post-qualification) experience, we would welcome your assistance. 
 
We are piloting the test from 10-12 November (Salaried Employment Judge) and 15-18 December (Fee Paid Employment Judge).
 
The sessions will all take place at Steel House, 11 Tothill Street, London SW1.
 
Each session will consist of one written test; the length of this test is estimated at being between 60 and 90 minutes; there will be no opportunity for feedback but if requested, we will be able to provide you with a general indication of your result. 
 
It is absolutely essential that the test contents remain confidential and everyone taking part in the pilot will therefore be required to sign a confidentiality agreement in advance. In addition, a participant in a pilot will be excluded from applying to the exercise for which that test is being prepared; in this case Salaried Employment Judge of the Employment Tribunal 2009 and Fee Paid Employment Judge of the Employment Tribunal 2010.
 
A fee of £80 will be paid, together with any reasonable travelling expenses. 
 
If you are interested in taking part in this test please contact the following people at your earliest opportunity:

Experience of the Judicial Appointments Process in Practice

On 9th June 2010 a recently appointed High Court Judge, Circuit Judge and Recorder will share their experiences of the Judicial Appointment Process in Practice, with the opportunity to share views, tips and concerns in a panel session and over a glass of wine.

Panel members: The Hon Mrs Justice King, HHJ Jane Sullivan and Rec. Jane Evans-Gordon

Inner Temple Luncheon Room: 6.00 – 7.30 pm

Open to barristers from all Inns. No Charge, but please register in advance with Constance Asprey.

Information for prospective applicants

This document explodes some myths and then provides questions and answers to give further information on the JAC’s selection processes and policies. Much more can be found on the Judicial Appointments website.

Step Up to a Judicial Career  

Click here to dowload the Ministry of Justice booklet called 'Step Up to a Judicial Career'.  

Outreach Events

Information on outreach events can be found on the JAC website.  The Bar Council held an event in June in advance of the Recorder competition on the Midland Circuit. The aim was to encourage more women and ethnic minority barristers to apply to become Recorders.

JAC Newsletter

Judging Your Future is the JAC e-Newspaper. It contains news about current and forthcoming selection exercises. It also includes information about the judicial appointments and latest developments.

Work-Shadowing

The Directorate of Judicial Office is responsible for the administration of the work-shadowing scheme. Details can be found on their website.

Circuit Diversity Mentors

At the request of the Chairman of the Bar each Circuit has appointed a Diversity Mentor as the first point of contact for barristers interested in applying for a judicial appointment or Silk. The role of the Diversity Mentor is to encourage suitably qualified members of Circuit to apply for a judicial appointment or Silk and to provide them with all the necessary information. The Diversity Mentors are South East Circuit: Frances Oldham QC, Martin Forde QC, Midlands Circuit: Nirmal Shant QC, Satinder Hunjan QC, Western Circuit: Jane Miller QC, Wales and Chester Circuit: Ruth Henke QC, Andrew Keyser QC, North Eastern Circuit: Bryan Cox QC and Northern Circuit: Nicholas Clarke QC.

Silk

The process for the award of Queen’s Counsel was agreed between the Bar Council and the Law Society and approved by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Lord Falconer) in 2004. The selection panel carried out an initial competition under the new arrangements in 2005-06; a further competition took place in 2007-08. For further information about application and selection for Queen’s Counsel see the website.

Click here for myths about QC Selection System.