Entries Tagged as 'wonderful'

 

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Real Inspiration – Ted Talks or Songs?

I think there are some absolutely brilliant Ted Talks and I’ve eagerly shared them with many clients as well as during my workshops on leadership and communication. However, I find that music and songs have a greater impact on people. Perhaps it is true: “We learned more from a 3-minute record then we ever learned in school”.

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Hope & Tears

I don’t think there were many dry eyes in the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on Friday 5 October 2018.

Music has always been important to me, even though I can’t play any instrument, I can only sing enthusiastically (and feel sorry for people near me at gigs) and I can’t even clap in time! But being at a gig with others is one of the places I feel most at home, connected and alive. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to see some of the best bands in the world (I know that is very subjective) and been to some wonderful and memorable gigs. A number of years ago, a friend thought I may like to check out a band described as “A cross between Arcade Fire meets The Faces like a Yorkshire’s E Street Band” – they sounded right up my street!  Ladies and Gellyspoons… please allow me to introduce you to Hope and Social.

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JAC Recorder Competition 2023

 

**** 15 June 2023 ****

The 2023 competition launches today with exactly the same number of vacancies as last year’s > 125 (although it is actually 17 months since the 2022 competition launched). Don’t be put off by the JAC’s painfully drawn out processes, I’ve worked with many people over the years who suffered numerous rejections yet are now recognised as some of our best judges! – BELIEVE! I’ll aim to update this blog as any new details or changes emerge and the 2023 competition progresses.

The competency framework, as in all JAC competitions, this is your plumb line.

Key Dates:

Deadline for applications 1pm on Thursday 29 June 2023

Online qualifying tests: 19 July 2023 – Situational Judgement and Critical Reasoning

Online Scenario test: 6 September 2023 – Speed Typing Test!

Shortlisting outcome: November 2023

JAC Contacts Independent Assessors  for successful candidates: 29 November 2023 

Selection days will still be Remote and via MS Teams: 15 January – 9 February 2023

Outcome of selection process expected by: June 2024!!

****Client Feedback*****

I have worked with scores of successful Recorder candidates and some disappointed ones of many year,  I received many appreciative messages including:

” I am delighted to inform you that I have been put forward for appointment as a Recorder with immediate effect.  Since enlisting your services I have been successful in 2 out of 2 JAC competitions and it is only because of your excellent preparation and guidance.  I knew I had a lot to do after that first practice interview session but you gave me the tools and the confidence to do it.”

“Just to let you know I didn’t get it but I’m very grateful for all your help.  I’ve requested feedback and will apply again.”

 

**** The Challenge****

To succeed and take your seat on the bench you will need to prepare professionally so that you can have an edge over your competition. This undated blog is written to help you understand what is required and what you need to do to be prepared, fully prepared.

As information is made available I’ll update this page as the competition progresses and you can follow my updates on Twitter

I expect the  JAC to announce: “There will be three stages to the selection process:

  • an online multiple choice test
  • an online scenario test
  • a selection day comprising an interview and role play”

Again for this competition (as for DDJ Mags)  candidates will need to submit their evidence of the competencies before sitting the qualifying tests!

Character: read the guidelines carefully and ensure you disclose all relevant matters, failure to do so will be seen as you lacking integrity. Do check your speeding points, no more than 6 points (or one 6 point offence) currently on your driving license!

Short-Listing – Qualifying Tests – The Recorder Lottery

This has evolved so much that I have written a separate blog – where I explain what to expect and how they have evolved recently.

 Application Form – Evidence of Your Competencies : give specific examples of how you demonstrate the competencies. It will take much more time than you think to complete a strong application that will differentiate you from other candidates. If you have not already started, start drafting now! Some tips  to stand out from the crowd.

Selection Day

They aim to shortlist in the ratio of about 3 candidates per vacancy – so perhaps 450 candidates as they seem to have ditched the telephone assessments.

Role Play – you will be given some reading and then a panel of 3 (1 judicial and 2 lay) will observe you hearing some actors who will respond to your questions and directions. The role play starts as soon as you enter the room. The panel will be looking to assess you against the competencies and looking for evidence of how you perform and demonstrate them.

Interview – again before usually the same panel of 3, they will probe the competencies, but not necessarily all of them depending on the evidence in your application form and from your assessors . My advice for interview success.

How I work with candidates.  Any questions or advice please call 0796 999 7335 or e-mail tim@asktim.org

 

 For information about the workshops I’ve been running please see here.

 

Some Generous Feedback From Grateful Candidiates:

I got it!!!”

” 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.” 

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

“Many thanks for your invaluable help. It made a huge difference and I’m very grateful!”

“I did get an email and it said that they are not going to appoint me… but I remain very grateful for your help which was invaluable.”

“I have to say despite all the brilliant things I had heard about you, I had my doubts… But the difference you have made to my application over a couple of hours has been amazing.”

” @wowthankyoutim Only praise from me – great interview coaching & excellent music recommendations.”

“I’ve been recommended for appointment. I’m over the moon. Your help throughout the selection process was invaluable. Tim, I really cannot thank you enough for your help and support throughout the selection process.”

“Not this year I’m afraid but I do want to thank you for all your help and expertise. I certainly felt much better prepared than I would have been and I think the experience will stand me in good stead in future.”

“I got the job!!!!! I’m waiting to hear where I will be sitting and for the official announcement obviously. Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

 

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Handwriting 

Blog, Staple Stories

An Amazing Woman

When I was growing up in West London we had a wonderful next door neighbour, Mrs. Cooper, who was more like a grandmother to me. She was such a gentle yet great character, frail but immensely strong, wise and patient.  As a trainee nurse she slipped while pushing a trolley and lost all her teeth when she was just 18. She drove ambulances throughout London during the Second World War. She had a budgie called Joey and deep brown eyes. If I were to describe her in one word it would be: kind.

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Mock Judicial Appointments Qualifying Tests

“… room for improvement but phenomenally helpful is reading text quickly etc . Really really useful . Thanks for putting it together” 

Over recent years I have been asked repeatedly whether there are any old JAC tests that candidates could try. The JAC used to publish qualifying test reports and include their questions and answers but haven’t done so since that moved to the more generic situational questioning and critical reasoning tests. So unfortunatlely, they no longer make their tests available.

My blog on Qualifying Tests – gives you an overview of how they work.

I have been talking to a number of judges and practitioners about developing some mock crime, civil and family tests. However, the JAC announced at the end of 2016 that they would be testing new non-jurisdictional qualifying tests.

As a result and having collaborated with others I have developed one situational judgement and one critical reasoning test.

“Thank you. Did the test – wow very taxing – got xIt has helped greatly to see it in the flesh as it were and what to expect and what time of day not to take it!!  Timing is key as well – a brilliant revision tool. Thanks”

Situational Judgement

16 questions  in 15 minutes set by a judge to test candidates’ judgement and decision making based on real situations and experience.

Critical Reasoning

23 questions to be answered in 30 minutes based on a judicial speech – this includes time for reading a PDF text.

Your Feedback Report

Following the test you will be e-mailed your test report, score, the questions and answers.

Candidate  Options

NB These tests are on line, so make sure you have a good internet connection, sufficient time and are able to open a PDF document. Please follow the instructions and keep an eye on your time. You must download the speech before commencing the critical reasoning or combined test! Don’t pay for any test until you are ready to take it – they are on-line tests. Payments can only be accepted via PayPal (this is the only payment that works for this).

If you don’t see the PayPal link you may need to look at your pop up settings and/or make sure your PayPal e-mail address is the same as the one you are using for the test.  Perhaps you may need to try another device or browser – technology!

  1. 1.   Situational Judgement Mock Test 15 minutes – £19.50 +VAT –  SJ test link
  2. 2.   Critical Reasoning Mock Test 30 minutes – £19.50 +VAT – CR test link
  3. 3.    (1 + 2) Situational Judgement & Critical Reasoning Joint Mock Test 45 minutes – £29.50 +VAT – SJ & CR combined test link.

Your results and the correct answers will be automatically e-mailed to you once you have completed a test.

Opportunities (problems)

If you have failed to follow the test instructions and not downloaded the speech for the critical reasoning test, it can be found here!

I have set these tests so that you can take them a second time in case you experience wireless or technical issues.

I’m keen to add further situational judgement questions, but know that will not be easy, especially if they are non-jurisdictional and importantly respect the confidentiality of actual JAC tests.

Any feedback would be most welcome and I hope these may help candidates prepare for any future JAC tests.

“This evening I did the tests that you recently posted on your website which were very helpful.”

Narrative Tests

It is not possible to set these as mock tests as they require marking individually but I am willing to share some tips and advice – please just e-mail me or text me your e-mail address: tim@asktim.org 0796 999 7335

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“I’m Always Open to Ideas”

Entering the third year of running my consultancy and seem to have even more to learn and do!
So, a good time to take stock, lift my head up and try and see where we’re heading. I must start by saying a big Wow Thank You to all my clients. I’ve worked with some great and seriously talented people, at times it has been challenging but also deeply rewarding to receive your positive feedback. THANK YOU.

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Staple Story 

Staple Stories

I don’t like personalised number plates so why do I have…?

I’m not a petrol head and when our Saab (not a proper one!) sprang yet another problem, we had to accept that at 143K+ miles it had reached the end of its road.

Then yet again I had the rigmarole of having to transfer my personalised number plate to our Japanese replacement. Why? It was and remains my brother’s fault!  Michael F****** Collins that middle initial – after our dad Frank or the reaction he sometimes sparks in people?!

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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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