Making Judges

Expert Judicial Appointment Advice – The War for Talent

Tim Collins

Being a brilliant candidate and being great at what you do are no longer sufficient to secure the judicial appointment you want. Being a great Recorder or Deputy District Judge, a KC, having great referees and a great practice do not guarantee success. The judicial appointment process is now so demanding that often the best candidates are not the ones selected. I work with candidates from all over the country and across all three jurisdictions: England & Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as helping candidates in Canada and Australia. They benefit from my mentoring, advice, coaching and training – scores have gone on to become judges and/or to take Silk.

How my judicial advice coaching works:

My judicial coaching and training service is simple.  I will work with you within the tight timescales to:

  •          1) help you write a strong application form; video
  •          2) advise on the selection of your referees/assessors;
  •          3) prepare you for any qualifying tests; blog
  •          4) prepare you for the role plays;
  •          5) get you ready for your interview. video

I have run interactive workshops for groups of lawyers wanting to learn more about competency based recruitment, in cities including Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, Oxford, Leeds, Nottingham and across London.  More Information & Delegate Feedback.

As a result of the pandemic I adapted my workshop so that it can be delivered via three on-line sessions via Zoom and other platforms.

And it’s coaching and advice that has helped scores of successful candidates to secure both fee paid and salaried judicial posts.

What My Clients and Successful Judicial Appointment Candidates Say:

“Thank you so much for earlier. As already said the service you provide is absolutely amazing.” Recorder Candiadate

“In my view many who have been appointed to the judiciary from No6 could not have made it without your superb advice and training and under your stewardship chambers have a record number of Judges appointed, an unrivalled number in fact.” Circuit Judge 

“I would never have got to where I am had it not been for the inspiration and self confidence Tim nurtured in me…”  – Circuit Judge

“Just had another read through my application. I am very happy with it. Thank you for your invaluable help” – DDJ Candidate

“Worth your weight in gold as they say!” – Recorder

“Thank you for your assistance. Your advice has been great.”   – Summary Sheriff

“Thank you Tim. Couldn’t have done it without your help and support” –  Silk

“I got the job!!!!! … Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.”  – Circuit Judge

“Whatever happens, working with you has been an unmitigated pleasure. Really, really grateful.” – DHCJ Candidate

Why am I qualified to provide Judicial Appointments Coaching?

I have been coaching and advising Judicial and Silk applicants for over twenty years.  I can offer you advice and coaching in how to differentiate yourself from your peers and give you a competitive edge in these recruitment competitions.  I am a Psychology graduate but my advice has developed from over 30 years of practical experience, working with some real characters and diverse individuals. I have built a reputation for giving simple, honest and practical advice.

I was recruited by and then trained in how to recruit by Procter & Gamble.

When I joined the highly regarded Chambers, No.6 in Leeds, there were 33 barristers, when I left in 2013 there were 56. Over that time I have helped  27 of its members become Recorders and Deputy District Judges and to date 34  have secured full time judicial posts. In addition, 7 took Silk. And that’s just from those Chambers.  I’ve advised many more members of the legal professions on successfully applying for full and part-time judicial posts or to become Queen’s Counsel. Candidates I have coached now sit across the country in a variety of tribunals and courts as well as in the High Court and the  Court of Appeal.

Find out more about my Judicial Appointments coaching.

To find out about how I could work with you to develop your application or prepare you for your selection day please either contact me: 0796 999 7335 or tim@asktim.org. Alternatively please click on the tabs below to find out how I work with candidates and read some free tips and advice.

Some details about some fee paid competitions:

Deputy District Judge –  Recorder 2018  –  Deputy High Court Judge

I had the pleasure of meeting Judge Judge at the RCJ on several occasions when judges were being sworn in. It is a fantastic achievement to become a judge and with his congratulations he would always advise that in addition to the obvious qualities they would also need fortitude.