18 January 2017
The Judicial Appointments Commission has launched a new selection exercise for High Court Judges. The Commission is extremely keen to reach as wide a range of candidates as possible, in order to attract a strong and diverse pool of applicants, and has asked us to advertise this opportunity to our mentors and mentees.
There are vacancies in the Family, Chancery and Queen’s Bench Divisions, and salaried, part-time roles may also be available, subject to the agreement of the relevant Head of Division.
In past selection exercises for the High Court, candidates have usually been expected to have previous judicial experience. On this occasion, such experience is not required.
Applications are invited from solicitors and barristers with at least 7 years’ post qualification experience, who can demonstrate the necessary transferable skills and expertise required of a High Court judge.
Also for the first time, this exercise will offer 2 different application tracks:
The first track will be on similar lines to previous selection exercises and will involve candidates submitting a self-assessment and the names of persons who could provide independent assessments. This track is open to all eligible candidates. Applications will be sifted on the basis of this information, and invitations to a selection day will be sent to shortlisted candidates.
The second track is open to those appointed or authorised under section 9 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (section 9 judges), to take account of their experience at High Court level. Section 9 judges applying via this route will be asked to provide a statement of suitability along with up to 3 judgments, notes of judgments or determinations. Invitations to selection day will be issued on the basis of this information. At that stage, shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete the usual self-assessment and to provide the names of persons who can provide independent assessments.
Details about the exercise, including the competency framework against which candidates will be assessed, are on the JAC website: https://jac.judiciary.gov.uk/vacancies/041