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Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) 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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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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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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