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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!

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Another Fine Competition – Deputy District Judge Crime 2016 – Magistrates’ Court

*****UPDATE 22 August 2016*****

Congratulations to all who made it through the online scenario. Now you need to provide evidence of your competencies by noon on Monday 5 September:

Help?

I’m frequently asked how I work with candidates; I work based on the needs of each individual candidate:application forms and interviews.

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Silk 2025 – KC Competition

     *** 14 March 2025***

– “I got it! Thank you for all your help – couldn’t have done it without you” 

“Thank you so so much for your help, it was unbelievable Please come to my party?”

The 2025 competition launched today with the deadline for applications at 5pm on Friday 25 April 2025. As last year the application window runs over the Easter holidays which will add unnecessary pressure for many. As KCA advised me last year: “… we have also had feedback in the opposite direction, in that when the courts are not sitting it is easier for parents to carve out time to complete the application.” Hmm?! Factor that in and plan your time accordingly.

Anyway, it seems to be very similar to last year’s, however  your 12 cases should be drawn from the last 3 years.

“Hi Tim. I’m pleased to tell you that your record of successfully getting people through continues. Many thanks for all your patience & it definitely made all the difference.” 

First and foremost, do read the KC Appointment 2025 Guidance. But I would also strongly recommend that you consider the 2024 competition report  and especially the panel’s approach to the competencies  these will give you a real insight into who gets appointed and why.

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Circuit Judge Competition 2024 – The Essentials

“I got it!!!”  – Circuit Judge

This year’s competition launches on Tuesday 10 September 2024 – deadline for applications is 13:00 on Tuesday 1 October 2024 – there are only 27 vacancies (19 in crime, 7 in family and 1 in civil).  Successful candidates will be informed in July 2025!!

“Your input has been invaluable” – Resident Judge Candidate

It looks very similar to previous CJ competitions and in many ways, this is one of the most straight forward competitions that the JAC run. It has evolved over the years and now successful candidates know what they have to do: demonstrate their evidence of the competencies. You have two panels you need to convince – the short-listing panel and the selection day panel. There is some very helpful feedback, sound guidance and clear advice from the JAC on their website. There are expected to be 80 vacancies, but as with other competitions, the number may vary as the competition progresses. 

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s9(4) Deputy High Court Judge Competition 2023

**** 17 January 2023 ****

“The purpose of a s9(4) Deputy High Court Judge appointment is to provide candidates of exceptional ability with a pathway to make an application to be a salaried High Court judge. Further information on pathways to the High Court is provided here.”

There are 28 vacancies across the 3 divisions:  “In the King’s Bench Division, applications are encouraged from candidates who are generalists and with expertise in any of the Division’s work including those with significant expertise in commercial law, crime, media and communications law, planning law, public law and technology and construction law. Within the Family Division, applications are especially welcome from candidates with expertise in high value financial remedy cases or complex children cases.”

Deadline is 13:00 on Wednesday 08/02 – 1500 word statement of suitability and 500 words about your expertise.   JAC s9(4) competition details here.

 07969997335 or e-mail E: tim@asktim.org

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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:

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JAC Lifts the Fog on the Tyne – 00937: Deputy District Judge (Civil)

The JAC held a seminar in Newcastle to encourage and inform candidates about the 2014/15 DDJ(Civil) competition and shared some very helpful insights that I have tried to capture and highlight below.

DJ Chris Simmonds told a great story about how the DJ bench are the engine room for the judiciary. He talked about what it was really like sitting as a DJ, the challenges, the myths and the great support. He also told us about career development and that 5 of his DJ colleagues had applied and moved to the circuit bench.

Sarah Gane from the JAC then shared some thought provoking statistics: they recruit between 500 & 600 candidates each year for the main judicial posts as well as for 29 MOJ tribunals. She also encouraged the audience to investigate and consider other sitting options as well as the MOJ tribunals. Candidates could make very positive contributions and gain excellent experience via these positions.

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