Category: Judiciary

The judiciary which is also known as the judicial system, judicature, judicial branch, judiciative branch, and court or judiciary system) is the system of courts that adjudicates legal disputes/disagreements and interprets, defends, and applies the law in legal cases.

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Judges

judge by bing ai

What is a Judge ?

A judge is a legal professional who presides over court proceedings and makes rulings and judgments on legal cases.

Judges are responsible for ensuring that trials are conducted fairly and impartially, and for interpreting and applying the law in accordance with the relevant statutes, legal precedents, and principles of justice.

The image of the Judge used in this article is not real and was created using Bing AI.

Check out our articles Could AI replace judges ? and Could AI replace lawyers ? for a detailed analysis of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what it means for the Justice system not only in the UK but also around the world.

Types of Judges

  1. District Judges – who preside over cases in the County Court and in certain types of tribunals.
  2. Tribunal Judges – who preside over hearings in the various tribunals that exist to resolve disputes in specific areas of law. These tribunals include the Employment Tribunal, the First-tier Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal, and the Tax Tribunal, amongst others.
  3. Circuit Judges – who preside over cases in the Crown Court and some types of civil cases in the County Court.
  4. High Court Judges – who preside over cases in the High Court, which is a superior court with jurisdiction over a wide range of legal matters.
  5. Court of Appeal Judges – who preside over cases in the Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from the High Court and other lower courts.
  6. Supreme Court Justices – who preside over cases in the UK’s highest court, the Supreme Court, which is the final court of appeal in the UK for civil cases.

Day to Day tasks of a Judge

Judges daily tasks include :-

  • prepare for trials by reading papers submitted by legal teams
  • hear civil, family and criminal cases
  • listen to evidence from witnesses, defendants and victims
  • advise juries and legal teams on points of law
  • pass sentences on conviction and impose other penalties
  • reach decisions in tribunals, for example on employment disputes or immigration cases
  • help sides to find agreement in civil cases before proceedings begin
  • take expert opinion, for instance in custody or child welfare cases
  • hear appeals and review decisions of lower courts
  • write reports, giving reasons for rulings
  • keep up to date with legal developments
National Careers Service

Judges Pay and Hours

According to the National Careers Service judges can expect to get paid up to £267,509 and work up to 42 hours in a typical week. Please also see our article on Judges Salaries and Fees.

Working Hours of Judges

Some people do mistakenly think that judges’ working hours are confined to court sitting hours, which are normally 10.30am-4.30pm.

But the reality is very different; most judges also carry a lot of ‘box work’ (paperwork) on current and future (and sometimes past) cases – especially as most cases are settled or concluded before they reach the stage of a court hearing. It is not unusual for judges to work late into the evening, writing judgments and reading files of evidence and letters from parties. They do not claim overtime for this.

There are 4 terms in the legal year, which are the main sitting times for the High Court and Court of Appeal. Most courts do have sittings around the year, and even in the High Court and Court of Appeal, emergency hearings and processing of cases continue during the vacations.

Senior judges use the ‘vacation’ periods between terms to catch up on new legislation and case law, as well as undertaking formal training.

Courts and Tribunal Judiciary Working Hours

Judicial sitting days

Court of Appeal Judges and High Court Judges are expected to devote themselves to judicial business throughout the legal year which usually amounts to somewhere in the region of 185-190 days.

Circuit Judges are expected to sit for a minimum of 210 days, although the expectation is for between 215-220 per year.

District Judges are expected to sit for a minimum of 215 days.

Judges also have out of court duties to perform such as reading case papers, writing judgments, and keeping up to date with new developments in the law.

Courts and Tribunal Judiciary The legal year, term dates and sitting days

The Legal Year

The origins of the legal year are the service in Westminster Abbey which dates back to 1897 when judges prayed for guidance at the start of the legal term. Judges, whose courts were held in Westminster Hall, left the city and walked to the abbey to take part in the service.

The ceremonies now are more or less as they have always been but, instead of the two mile walk from Temple Bar to Westminster Abbey, the judges now travel by car.

The 45-minute service, which starts at 11:30am, is conducted by the Dean of Westminster. It includes prayers, hymns, psalms and anthems; the Lord Chancellor reads a lesson.

Around 700 people are invited to attend the service and breakfast. These include judges, senior judicial officers, the Law Officers, King’s Counsel (KC), government ministers, lawyers, members of the European Court and other overseas judges and lawyers. Judges and KCs wear ceremonial dress.

Courts and Tribunal Judiciary The legal year, term dates and sitting days

Term Dates

The term dates for the legal year apply to sittings in the High Court and Court of Appeal only, and are fixed in accordance with the Practice Direction 39B which supplements Part 39 of the Civil Procedure Rules.

2023

Hilary: Wednesday 11 January to Wednesday 5 April 2023
Easter: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 26 May 2023
Trinity: Tuesday 6 June to Monday 31 July 2023
Michaelmas: Monday 2 October to Thursday 21 December 2023

2024

Hilary: Thursday 11 January to Wednesday 27 March 2024
Easter: Tuesday 9 April to Friday 24 May 2024
Trinity: Tuesday 4 June to Wednesday 31 July 2024
Michaelmas: Tuesday 1 October to Friday 20 December 2024

Courts and Tribunal Judiciary The legal year, term dates and sitting days
Practice-Directions-39B-Court-SittingsDownload

How to Become a Judge

You can only become a Judge through an official appointment.

Volunteering

You can get valuable experience and insights into the work of a judge through the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme. This may help if you later apply for selection to become a judge.

You normally have to be a qualified legal professional, with at least 7 years’ experience in law-related work to join.

If you have been on the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme, you can apply for a place on the Judicial Mentoring Scheme. This scheme is open to applications from people who are currently under-represented in the judiciary. For example:

  • women
  • ethnic minorities
  • lawyers with a state school education
National Careers Service

Other routes to becoming a Judge

Judges are appointed by the Judicial Appointments Commission. You’ll need to apply to them to be considered for selection.

To apply, you must:

  • be a qualified solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive
  • have worked as a legal professional for between 5 and 7 years, depending on the type of judge you want to be
  • meet nationality requirements

Common starting roles include district, recorder and tribunal judges. For certain other judicial roles, you can apply if you’re an experienced legal academic, or trademark or patent attorney.

You must successfully complete several application stages to get through to shortlisting by the Commission. You’ll then be invited to attend an assessment and selection day, which will include interviews.

National Careers Service

Like all professions there are dodgy or rogue elements and the judiciary are not exempt from these type of people. You may be interested in our article about Dodgy Judges.

Read the reviews of Gavin Howe Barrister, who in my opinion, is unlikely to ever become a Judge.

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Judiciary

Judges Salaries and Fees

judge salary

What is a salaried judge ?

Salaried judges in the UK are full-time judges who are employed by the government to preside over cases in various courts and tribunals. They are appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, following a rigorous selection process that includes an assessment of their legal knowledge, experience, and personal qualities.

The role of a salaried judge in the UK is to interpret and apply the law impartially and to make decisions in a fair and just manner. Salaried judges are responsible for a wide range of legal matters, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family law, and employment law, among others.

In carrying out their role, salaried judges are required to conduct themselves with the utmost integrity and to be impartial and independent in their decision-making. They must also be knowledgeable about the law and able to apply it in a way that is consistent with the principles of justice and fairness.

Salaried judges in the UK are appointed to various courts and tribunals, including the Magistrates’ Courts, County Courts, Crown Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. The type of cases they handle and the level of seniority they hold will depend on their experience and qualifications.

How much are salaried judges paid ?

In the United Kingdom, the salaries of judges are determined by the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB), an independent body that advises the government on the pay of senior public officials.

Judicial salaries and fees 2022 to 2023 are published here on the gov.uk website.

The salaries of judges in the UK vary depending on their level of experience and jurisdiction. The following are the current starting salary for judges in England and Wales, as of April 2022:

  • District Judges : £118,237
  • Circuit Judges: £147,388
  • High Court Judges: £198,439
  • President of the Family Division: £237,639
  • Justices of the Supreme Court: £237,639
  • Lord Chief Justice: £275,534

The judicial salaries from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 are published in Judicial salaries 2022 to 2023.

The SSRB takes into account a range of factors when making recommendations on judicial pay, including changes in the cost of living, pay levels in other professions, and the need to recruit and retain high-quality judges. The SSRB also considers the pensions and benefits that are available to judges, as these are an important part of their overall compensation.

Judges in the UK are entitled to pensions through the Judicial Pensions Scheme. The scheme is based on a career-average earnings basis and provides a retirement income based on the judge’s length of service and average earnings during their career. Judges contribute between 7.35% and 14.5% of their salary to their pension, depending on their salary level.

Please also refer to the Judicial Pension Scheme 2022 guide

The salaries of judges in the UK are relatively high compared to other professions. However, this is balanced by the demanding nature of their work and the importance of their role in upholding the rule of law. Judges must be impartial and independent, and they must have the trust and confidence of the public in order to carry out their duties effectively.

What are fee paid judges and how much do they get paid ?

Fee-paid judges are part-time judges who are paid a fee for each day or half-day that they sit in court. They are also known as “recorder judges” or “deputy judges”.

Fee-paid judges are typically lawyers or other legal professionals who have expertise in a particular area of law and who are appointed to sit on a part-time basis in a variety of courts and tribunals.

The fees for fee-paid judges in the UK vary depending on the type of court or tribunal and the number of days worked.

As of April 2022, the daily fees for a Deputy District Judge is £549.94 or £568.56 with the London Weighting Fee as published in Judicial fees 2022 to 2023.

In addition to their fees, fee-paid judges are also entitled to claim expenses for travel, subsistence, and other reasonable costs associated with their work.

Fee-paid judges are an important part of the UK justice system and play a vital role in ensuring that the courts and tribunals have access to the expertise they need to make fair and impartial decisions.

While their fees may be lower than those of full-time judges, fee-paid judges provide an important service on a part-time basis and bring a valuable range of skills and experience to the courts and tribunals they serve.

What is a judge sitting in retirement and how much do they get paid ?

A judge sitting in retirement in the UK is a former full-time judge who has retired from their position but is still available to hear cases on a part-time basis. These judges are sometimes referred to as “retired judges” or “recalled judges”.

As of April 2022, the daily fees for a District Judge or Deputy District Judge sitting in retirement is £549.94 or £568.56 with the London Weighting Fee as published in Sitting in Retirement sitting fees 2022 to 2023.

The role of a judge sitting in retirement is to assist with the caseload of the court or tribunal they are appointed to and to provide additional judicial resources where needed. They may be appointed to sit in a specific court or tribunal or to act as a relief judge to cover for other judges who are unable to hear cases.

Retired judges are appointed by the Lord Chief Justice, the Senior President of Tribunals, or another relevant appointing authority. They are subject to the same standards of conduct as full-time judges and are required to adhere to the same ethical and professional standards.

The fees for retired judges vary depending on the type of court or tribunal and the number of days worked. Retired judges may be paid a daily fee, a fee per case, or a salary. They may also be entitled to claim expenses for travel, subsistence, and other reasonable costs associated with their work.

Overall, retired judges play an important role in the UK justice system by providing additional judicial resources and expertise where needed. They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the courts and tribunals they serve in and help to ensure that the justice system operates efficiently and effectively.

Summary

The salaries of judges in the UK are determined by the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) and vary depending on their level of experience and jurisdiction. Judges are also entitled to pensions through the Judicial Pensions Scheme, which is based on a career-average earnings basis.

While the salaries of judges are relatively high, they reflect the demanding nature of their work and the importance of their role in upholding the rule of law.

The Ministry of Justice published the Ministry of Justice Evidence Pack: Judicial Pay 2023/24 on the 21st February 2023. This document on judges pay and pensions is definitely worth a good read.

Read the reviews of Gavin Howe Barrister

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

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What is the Judiciary ?

courts and tribunals judiciary

The Judiciary in England and Wales is made up of judges, magistrates, tribunal members, and coroners. Together, they uphold the rule of law.

The three key values which are central to the role of judicial office holders (JOHs) in England and Wales are:

Independence / Impartiality / Integrity

The core principles

JOHs are required to adhere to these core principles both inside and outside the courtroom. These form part of the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, which were endorsed at the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission at Geneva in April 2003. The principles state:

  1. Judicial independence is a prerequisite to the rule of law and a fundamental guarantee of a fair trial. A judge shall therefore uphold and exemplify judicial independence in both its individual and institutional aspects.
  2. Impartiality is essential to the proper discharge of the judicial office. It applies not only to the decision itself but also to the process by which the decision is made.
  3. Integrity is essential to the proper discharge of the judicial office.
  4. Propriety, and the appearance of propriety, are essential to the performance of all of the activities of the judge.
  5. Ensuring equality of treatment to all before the courts is essential to the due performance of the judicial office.
  6. Competence and diligence are prerequisites to the due performance of judicial office.

Independence

The judiciary should be fair and transparent, free of any influence outside the rule of law.

In a democracy, it is of vital importance that the public and those who appear before judges trust that their cases will be decided in accordance with the law. This can only be achieved if judges and the judiciary as a whole are independent of external pressures and of each other. For judges to discharge their constitutional responsibility of providing fair and impartial justice, it is solely relevant facts and law that should form the basis of their decisions.

When carrying out their judicial function judges must be free of any improper influence, such as pressure by individual litigants, commercial interests, the media, politicians, and their own self-interest. They must not allow potential public or media responses to skew their decision-making. This does not, however, mean displaying no awareness of the profound consequences that judicial decisions inflict on the lives of people before them, and often upon issues of great interest to society at large.

In the last century, the responsibilities of judges in disputes between the citizen and the state have increased together with the growth in governmental functions. The responsibility of the judiciary to protect citizens against unlawful acts of government has increased, and with it the need for the judiciary to be independent of government.

A practical example of the importance of judicial independence is where a high-profile matter, generating a great deal of media interest, comes before the court. This may be the criminal trial of a person accused of a shocking murder, the divorce of celebrities or challenges to the legality of government policy, such as the availability of a new and expensive drug to NHS patients. In the 24-hour media age in which we live, it stands to reason that the judge hearing the case will often be under intense scrutiny, with decisions open to intense debate. It is right that this is so, but it is equally important that decisions in court are made in accordance with the law and are not determined by external pressures.

Impartiality

The judiciary should treat all members of the public equally and fairly, no matter who they are.

Judges strive to ensure that their conduct, both in and out of court, maintains and enhances the confidence of the public, the legal profession and litigants, in their personal impartiality and that of the judiciary.

It follows that judges should, so far as is reasonable, avoid extra-judicial activities that could result in reasonable apprehension of bias or would result in a conflict of interest. This may involve refraining from sitting in a case where they have a close family relationship with a litigant or avoiding involvement with a political party, in such a way as to give the appearance of political bias. They should also avoid taking part in public demonstrations which might diminish their authority as a judge or create a perception of bias in subsequent cases.

It is, however, important for members of the court to deliver lectures and speeches, partake in conferences and seminars and contribute to debate on matters of public interest in the law, the administration of justice, and the judiciary. In making such contributions, judges will take special care to avoid associating themselves with a particular organisation, group or cause in such a way as to give rise to a perception of partiality towards that organisation, group or cause in the conduct of their judicial duties.

Integrity

Judges’ conduct must be bound by principles of honesty and respect, and may require putting the obligations of judicial office above their own personal interests.

Judges are expected to display:

  • Intellectual honesty
  • Respect for the law and observance of the law
  • Prudent management of financial affairs
  • Diligence and care in the discharge of judicial duties
  • Discretion in personal relationships, social contacts and activities

Generally, judges are entitled to exercise the rights and freedoms available to all citizens. Appointment to judicial office brings with it limitations on the private and public conduct of a judge, but that is not to say judges must refrain entirely from community affairs, as there is great public interest in their engagement. It is also necessary to strike a balance between the requirements of judicial office and the legitimate demands of the judge’s personal and family life.

However, they must accept that the nature of their office exposes them to considerable scrutiny and puts constraints on their behaviour which other people may not experience. They should avoid situations which might reasonably lower respect for their judicial office or might cast doubt upon their impartiality as judges. They must also avoid situations which might expose them to charges of hypocrisy by reason of things done in their private life.

The judge should seek to be courteous, patient, tolerant and punctual and should respect the dignity of all. They must ensure that no one in court is exposed to any display of bias or prejudice on grounds said in the Bangalore principle entitled “equality” to include but not to be limited to “race, colour, sex, religion, national origin, caste, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, social and economic status and other like causes”.

Guidance for JOHs

The Equal Treatment Bench Book is an extensive document which functions as a key work of reference for the judiciary on the matter of equal treatment for all, covering in detail topics such as ethnicity, religion, disability, sexuality, gender, and more. It is continuously updated to reflect changing social circumstances and to include areas of newer, growing research. More recent additions include sections on modern slavery and multicultural communication. JOHs refer to the text for assistance on how best they can tailor conduct and communication styles to create a professional and inclusive courtroom environment. In July 2022 an interim revision of the book was issued, which you can access by clicking here: Equal Treatment Bench Book – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.

The Guide to Judicial Conduct explains these principles to judges, and provides practical guidance on a wide range of everyday situations.

Training is provided to new judges in independence, integrity and impartiality, and the principles are often addressed in programmes for continuing training.

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) is an independent office which supports the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice in considering complaints about the personal conduct of judicial office holders

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Read the reviews of Gavin Howe Barrister

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99 percent of Judges ?

As reported in the media including the Daily Mail Liam Gallagher posted on Twitter that 99% of judges are massive CUNTZ and entitled pricks.

According to Wikipedia “Cuntz is a surname.”

Prick is a vulgar word for penis as well as a pejorative term used to refer to a despicable or contemptible individual.

At the Ministry of Injustice we strongly believe that everyone is entitled to an opinion. Is Liam correct ? Certainly brain food for thought !

Funny thing is 99 percent of judges are massive CUNTZ LG x
Judge Judy can kiss my arse hole from 1 entitled prick to another as you were LG x
Asking folk to sit down stand up rise fuck off with your noncey wig LG x
If ya can’t steal from your local Tescos where can you steal from eh this country is over LGx
Judge Joanna Greenberg QC

Judge Joanna Greenberg QC faced criticism in 2015 after she gave a suspended sentence to teacher who had sex with pupil. Read the full article at the Guardian website.

Read the reviews of Gavin Howe Barrister

“He is awful, underhanded and should not be practising law!”

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Rule of Law - Open Justice - Policing By Consent

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