The judiciary

• Key legislation?

  • The Court and Legal Services Act 1990- changed the work of solicitors by allowing them rights of audience (advocates in court) in the higher courts and, therefore, eligible for positions in the judiciary (more representative)
  • The Constitutional Reform Act 2005- changed way judges appointed, removed them from HoL creating the SC
  • The Tribunals, Court and Enforcement Act 2007- widened pool of applicants for judicial posts eg to fellows of CILEx, and reduced the length of time an applicant must have worked in law (more diversity for judges)
• District judges


  Are inferior judges, they used to be referred to as ‘stipendiary magistrates’ meaning payed mags. They sit in County Court for small claims and mags court. Must have at least 5 years experience as a barrister, solicitor or legal executive. 70% are former solicitors and have a salary of £120,000.
• Circuit Judge


  They’re inferior judges who sit in Crown Court for indictable offences. They also sit in county court and hear fast track and multitrack cases. They must have at least 7 years‘ rights of audience in either Crown Court or County Court. They can be a district judge first then be promoted to circuit judge. Also applies to Chairs of Employment Tribunals. Salary £147,000 to £160,000
• Recorder (inferior)


  Sits in CC part time. Must have 7 years experience as a solicitor, barrister or legal executive. Salary is £160,000 pro rota.
• High Court Judge (superior)


  Sits in HC and hears fast track and multi track cases. Must have at least 7 years experience practising law or 2 years experience as a Circuit Judge. They also sit in Crown Court. Most HC judges are barristers with at least 20 years experience and have a salary of £200,000
• Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal (superior)


  Sit in CoA and hear civil or criminal appeals. Must have at least 7 years experience or have previously been a HC judge. The salary is £225,000.
• Justice of the SC (superior)

  Sit in SC and hear civil or crim appeals. Appointed from Appeal Court Judges or English, Scottish or Northern advocates of at least 15 years in superior courts. Salary of £240,000.
• Master of the Rolls


  Sir Geoffrey Vos, President of the Court of Appeal (civil), salary of £246,000
• Lord Chief Justice 


  Lord Burnett of Maldom, Head of the judiciary, salary of £275,000
• The Lord Chancellor


  Aka the Minister for Justice, Dominic Raab. His powers are now limited by The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 but he remains a member of the cabinet and is still involved in the appointment of superior judges. He remains the head of the Minister for justice.
• Court hierarchy in terms of which person works where?

  • SC= Justices of Supreme Court
  • CoA= Lord & Lady Justices of appeal
  • HC= High court judge
  • Crown= Circuit judge, recorder, sometimes HC judge
  • County= District judge, circuit judge
  • Mags= district judge