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Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) 2023 Competition

This competition launched on Wednesday 8 March and the deadline for applications is 1pm on Wednesday 22 March.

There are only 15 vacancies across England and Wales so I anticipate this will be one of the most competitive competitions the JAC have ever run. About 10 years ago the DDJ Mags competition was the first one where the JAC used on-line qualifying tests as a shortlisting tool. I initially thought the JAC would not be using them for this competition but it has now been confirmed that they will be! However,  candidates will be required ed 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 2023 – KC Competition

 *****   15 February 2023*****

“Many, many thanks, and more thanks for all the expert help and encouragement you gave, it was invaluable.”                 

Well we’re off again but this time with a new logo, do be careful I googled to find a copy of the KC competencies for a workshop and was directed to the Kennel Club!  

The 2023 competition launched yesterday with the deadline for applications at 5pm on Friday 24 March 2023.

It seems to be very similar to last year’s, however  your 12 cases should be drawn from the last 3 years, this is back down from 4 years allowed because of the pandemic.

“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 QC Appointment 2023 Guidance. But I would also strongly recommend that you consider the 2022 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 2023 – The Essentials

“I got it!!!”  – Circuit Judge

***** UPDATE  11 July 2023*****

Thia year’s competition launches next week on Tuesday 18 July 2023 – deadline for applications is 13:00 on Tuesday 8 August 2023 – there are currently 52 vacancies (40 in crime, 7 in family and 5 in civil).  Successful candidates will be informed in June 2023!!

“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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