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 the scheme.

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

• women
• ethnic minorities
• lawyers with a state school education

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.

You'll need:

• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• leadership skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks
• pass security checks
• be a UK, Republic of Ireland or Commonwealth citizen

You must retire when you reach 75.

As a judge, you could:

• 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
• hear appeals and review decisions of lower courts
• write reports, giving reasons for rulings and keep up to date with legal developments

You could work in a court or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.