Selection days will include an interview and could include some of the exercises below. The exact details will be provided on the vacancy page.
The role play is usually based on a fictional court or tribunal hearing. You will take on the role of the judge, and professional actors will play the other people in the scenario.
It tests how you handle situations and make decisions like those you would face in a real judicial role. You’ll need to show how well you meet the competency and skills and abilities frameworks and how you perform under pressure – such as handling unexpected interruptions or challenging behaviour.
Role plays are usually held online or pre-recorded with actors. You’ll usually be sent material to read before the role play. Make sure you read it carefully so you’re prepared on the day.
Role plays are most often used for candidates applying to join the judiciary for the first time.
The interview panel will usually have three members: a Chairperson, an independent member, and a judicial member. For senior roles like the High Court, the panel may have up to five members. Your selection day invitation will tell you who will be on your panel.
You’ll be asked how you meet the competency framework or the skills and abilities for the role. You may be asked to talk about examples from your application and to give more examples.
Make sure you’re familiar with your self-assessment and ready to expand on it or provide additional examples.
If you’re applying for a legal role, remember that two panel members may not be legally trained. Avoid legal jargon and explain clearly why a case or piece of work was complex—don’t assume they will automatically understand.
The panel will do their best to make you feel at ease. Sometimes, there may be observers in the room. They are there to watch the panel and the process—not to assess you.
If your interview includes situational questions, you’ll be told in advance.
Situational questions ask what you would do in a specific, often challenging, real-life scenario.
Strategic leadership questions may be used for some senior roles, especially those that need leadership and management skills.
You’ll be told in advance if this applies and given a topic to prepare.
At the start of the interview, you’ll be asked to lead a discussion on this topic with the judicial member of the panel.
Managing nerves
Feeling nervous is normal. Preparing well and practising your answers can help you feel more confident.
Interview panels know candidates often feel anxious. They’ll do their best to help you feel comfortable so you can perform at your best.
It’s fine to ask the panel to repeat a question or instruction if you didn’t catch it the first time.
You are responsible for managing your own time during the interview. The panel will keep an eye on time too. If they move you on, don’t worry—this is normal and helps keep the interview on track.
Preparing for role plays or situational questions
If you’re sent any reading or materials before the interview, read them carefully and set aside time in your diary to do so – especially for complex roles like High Court Judge.
You can bring these materials and your notes with you on the day and refer to them.
On the day: handling role plays and situational questions
You might get more reading on the day. Read it carefully in the time allowed. You can take notes and bring them into the room.
Your answers should show how you meet the skills and abilities for the role.
- Legal Skills – giving clear decisions in relation to the rules or legislation within the scenario
- Dealing with Information – highlighting the key facts and decisions needed from the information provided
- Communication Skills – shows that you can explain things clearly and are aware of others’ needs, especially if someone is vulnerable.
In role plays, keep an eye on time and make sure you leave space for any final judgments. If you run over, the chair will stop you.
Situational questions may also include a short judgment task.
You can watch an example role play in the video near the bottom of this page.
Preparing for the competency or skills and abilities interview
- re-read the job description and the framework in place
- be familiar with the examples you gave in your self-assessment
- be ready to give new examples as well—keep a note of your best ones as they happen
- practise saying your answers out loud to get comfortable expressing them clearly
At the start of the interview, you may be asked a warm-up question such as:
- Why have you applied?
- How have you prepared?
This isn’t scored—it’s just to get to know you a bit and help you settle in. A short answer (4–5 sentences) is fine.