Judges

• What are the two main categories of courts in the court hierarchy?

  Superior and Inferior Courts
• What are the sentencing options for the Magistrates and Crown Court?


  Sentencing options vary based on the court's jurisdiction
• What are the roles of superior judges?


  • High Court and above
  • Includes Lord Chief Justice, Justices of the Supreme Court, Lords Justices of Appeal, High Court Judges
  • Judges from the King's Bench Division also sit in the Crown Court
• What are the roles of inferior judges?


  • Courts below High Court
  • Includes Circuit judges, Recorders, District judges, Tribunal judges
• What legal qualification is required for all judges?


  All judges must have a relevant legal qualification
• What does the Court and Legal Services Act 1990 outline?


  It sets out the qualifications needed for each level of the judiciary
• Who are the Justices of the Supreme Court appointed from?


  Those who hold high judicial positions or have qualified to appear in senior courts for at least 15 years
• How many civil and criminal appeal cases do Justices of the Supreme Court deal with approximately each year?

  About 100 civil and criminal appeal cases
• What is the minimum panel size for Justices of the Supreme Court when sitting?


  A minimum of 3 judges
• What qualifications are required for a Lord Justice of Appeal?


  Qualified as a barrister or solicitor with at least 7 years of experience
• How many applications for leave do Lord Justices of Appeal receive, and what percentage is successful?


  Over 7,000 applications, with ¼ being successful
• What is the main function of a High Court Judge (puisne)?


  To deal with cases at first instance
• What is the experience requirement for a Circuit Judge?


  Barrister or solicitor with 7+ years of experience
• What is the role of a Recorder?


  Work part-time and must have 7+ years of experience as a barrister or solicitor
• What is the experience requirement for a District Judge?


  Barrister or solicitor with 5+ years of experience
• How were judges historically selected?

  • Selected by the Lord Chancellor based on existing judges' opinions
  • The process was secretive and not independent
• How are judges selected post-Constitutional Reform Act 2005?


  • Managed by the Judicial Appointments Commission
  • Posts are advertised, and candidates must apply
  • Selection is independent from political influence
• What qualities does the Judicial Appointments Commission look for in candidates?


  Intellectual capacity, personal qualities, fairness, authority, communication skills, and efficiency
• What does the selection day for successful candidates consist of?


  An interview or an interview and role-playing exercise
• What significant change did the Crime and Courts Act 2013 bring regarding the appointment of inferior judges?


  The Lord Chancellor no longer has the power to prevent their appointment
• Where do judges receive training?

  Judicial College
• Which group of judges has compulsory training?


  Inferior judges, mainly newly appointed assistant Recorders
• At what age do judges typically retire?

  75 years old
• What are the roles of judges in criminal courts?


  • Manage the courtroom and ensure fair hearings
  • Decide questions of law
  • In Magistrates’ Court: decide verdict and sentence
  • In Crown Court: sum up for jury and sentence if required
• What are the roles of judges in civil courts?


  • Decide the most appropriate track and hold preliminary hearings
  • Case manage and keep parties to strict time limits
  • Help parties in small claims
  • Decide questions of law and verdicts
• What does the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 guarantee?


  • Judicial independence
  • Judges are free from influence from Parliament and government
  • They can make decisions without the threat of dismissal
• What is an example of judicial independence in action?

  Judges can declare UK law incompatible with ECHR
• What is the significance of the case Pinochet [1998] in relation to judicial independence?


  No person should be a judge in a case in which they have an interest
• What is the retirement age for judges?


  Judges retire at 75
• What is the role of the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office?


  To investigate complaints against judges
• What is the security of tenure for judges?


  Judges cannot be removed just because the government disagrees with their decisions
• How does the security of tenure differ between superior and inferior judges?


  Inferior judges do not have the same security of tenure as superior judges
• What are the statistics regarding gender and ethnicity among judges and magistrates?

  Judges:

  • 32% are women
  • 91% are white, 9% BAME

  Magistrates:

  • 57% are women
  • 14% BAME
• What is the average age of judges and magistrates?


  • 72% of judges are aged 50 or over
  • 79% of magistrates are aged 50 or over
• What are the essay practice topics related to judges?


  Appointments, training, and role of judges; independence of the judiciary
• How long is the suggested time for writing the essay on the independence of the judiciary?

  15 minutes
• How long is the suggested time for planning or writing the essay on the appointments, training, and role of judges?

  27 minutes
• What is the role of the Lord Chief Justice?


  Head of the judiciary
• Where do circuit judges sit?

  Circuit judges sit in Crown and County Courts
• How many years of experience is required to become a Justice of the Supreme Court?


  At least 15 years