Entries Tagged as 'help'

Photo by Jon Del Rivero on Unsplash 

Blog

Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) Competition

This competition will launch on Thursday 30 January and the deadline for applications is 1pm on Thursday 13 February 2025.

There are 50 vacancies (over three times more than the 15 post available in 2023) across England and Wales, so I anticipate this will again be a very competitive competition. About 10-15 years ago the DDJ Mags competition was the first one where the JAC used on-line qualifying tests as a shortlisting tool. I had hoped the JAC would not require candidates to submit their competencies before taking the qualifying tests, as they do with DDJ civil candidates. However,  all candidates will be required  to submit evidence of how they demonstrate the competencies before sitting the qualifyng tests!

Continue Reading

Zoom - Aim for the Stars... 

Blog

Judicial and Silk Appointment On-Line Interactive Workshops

Over the past few years I’ve been running my interactive workshops for barristers and solicitors wanting to gain insights into the Silk and/or Judicial application processes. I’ve very much enjoyed doing these and have received some excellent feedback. I was approached to run another one for a chambers on the Midlands Circuit in May – but then we were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Continue Reading

 

Blog

Tim’s Top 10 Tips for Marketing on a Budget

In September,  I was invited to be on a panel for a PM Forum  event in London where we shared some ideas on marketing on a budget.  It was geared to professional services: lawyers, accountants, architects but most of the ideas can be applied across industries and sectors.  Subsequently, I was asked to write an extended article and that was recently published-  “Punching Above Your Weight – Uncommon Sense”.

I’d welcome your feedback and thoughts:

“We cannot solve problems by using the same kind of thinking that created them”            Einstein

  1. 1. Market Internally – as a co-professional and peer.

 

Continue Reading

 

Blog

10 suggestions for improving the judicial appointments process

Anyone interested in sitting part-time or full-time needs to understand how the JAC’s selection process is evolving. It has changed significantly over the past 6 months with the introduction of  new competency frameworks, on-line applications and multiple-choice qualifying tests for some competitions.

Based on my experience of working with scores of candidates across most of these recent competitions – can I suggest the following:

Continue Reading

 

Blog

JAC 2017 Recorder Competition – A Brave New World?

My updated blog on the 2018 Recorder competition can be found here  it contains links to tips and advice. For the latest updates on the progress of this competition please follow my Twitter feed.

Feedback:

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the assistance that you provided me with. Whilst plainly I can neither confirm, nor deny, anything, I wanted you to be aware that I could not have gone through the process at all without your assistance. It was utterly invaluable.”

**** UPDATE 18 December 2018 ****

Some candidates learned about their outcomes mid-morning today, many others are still waiting to hear late in the evening . Candidates being given conflicting information from the JAC, (e-mails have been sent to everyone  – we still have some to contact – we don’t know – person who knows has gone home)!! The competition has been moved from in progress on the JAC website but they have not shared any updates. I understand that of the 32 criminal Recorders appointed on the SE Circuit 21 were civil practitioners.

Almost a year on this sorry competition is ending as it started in chaos and frustration!

*****UPDATE 17 August 2017*****

Well done to everyone through to the Recorder 2017 selection days, it has been an incredibly tough competition so far. I’m very busy working with dozens of candidates to prepare for their selection days. There are some links that may help you below – Good Luck everyone!

Having experienced some earlier problems with technology, the JAC are leaving nothing to chance. Telephone assessments commence 11 May 2017 – I have prepared some guidance and candidates are booking mock practice sessions with me. Please just ask if I can be of any assistance.

***** UPDATE 10 April *****

Candidates have been informed whether they are through to the 3rd stage – JAC recognised problems and 1200+  candidates through:  self-assessments and details of assessors required by 13:00 on Tuesday 25 April.

“The JAC will ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged in proceeding to the next stage as a result of these issues” –  JAC 09/03.  –  If they can genuinely achieve this I’d be hugely impressed, but I just can’t see how it is now possible?!

***** UPDATE 8 March *****

I’ve sent a short report to the JAC highlighting some concerns with how the narrative test was run: 042 Recorder 2nd QT Feedback

I understand many candidates have contacted the JAC directly and I assume candidates will be informed as soon as they have decided how to best proceed.

***** UPDATE 3 March *****

I have prepared some guidance for the 042 Recorder Narrative Qualifying Test on 07/03

 available via e-mail: tim@asktim.org

**** UPDATE 10 February ****

“Unprecedented” – almost 2,500 applicants – top c1,500 to go through to 2nd qualifying test.

Fundamental Changes to the 2017 Selection Process

This article in Counsel Magazine gives a very good overview of what to expect in this competition,if you haven’t seen it, I recommend you read it!

“The assessment tools we’re testing for this exercise are not based on any jurisdiction.”

Dates for the key stages of the exercise are as follows (updated 10/04/17):

The competition is now in progress – applications closed at 13:00 on 8 February.

Online multiple choice test: between 16:00 and 22:00 on 15 February | E-mail of narrative test: Slots 06:00 – 12:00 16:00 – 22:00 on 7 March

Request for successful candidates to complete and submit a self-assessment and provide independent assessment details: 4 April 2017 |Deadline for the submission of completed self-assessments: 25 April 2017 at 13:00

Telephone assessments: extended from 11 May to 12 June | Selection days:  delayed by two months:  6 to 29 September 2017.

Continue Reading

 

Blog

Interview Success – My Top Tips

It’s all about your ability to tell your story.

Golden Rule: BE HONEST BE YOURSELF

“Have found both sessions extremely helpful. Many thanks.” “It is so helpful to me!”

  Circuit Judge interview candidate feedback

When I worked in advertising a top colleague always stressed: “Real communication is not about what you intend to communicate but more importantly what people are willing, able and likely to pick up”

If you can it is fantastic experience to be an interviewer – so if you get the chance grab that opportunity. Talk to successful candidates and ask them about their experience and for their tips.

Practice, have mock interviews with colleagues, friends, family or anyone who you trust will give you some straight feedback. The best preparation is to have an actual interview –  nothing beats that experience. 

Continue Reading

 

Blog

“Well every now and again the ripples rock my boat…

I just throw up my arms and we’ll get soaked”

Whether your ripples are the never ending government changes to our legal system, the increasing regulatory requirements, bureaucracy and technological changes, frazzled clients, stressed colleagues or simply increased competition – our boats can feel well and truly rocked.

Continue Reading