The interview panel will ask you questions based on the skills and behaviours needed for the role. These are set out in the relevant competency or skills and abilities framework. The panel will assess the examples you give against that framework.
What the questions are like
Most questions will start with phrases like:
- “Tell us about a time when…”
- “Give us an example of…”
You can often predict the kind of questions you’ll be asked by looking at the framework in advance. Think about examples you could use and prepare them before your interview.
Here are some examples of the types of questions you might be asked:
- Tell us about a time you showed independence of mind
- Give us an example of how you applied your knowledge of diversity
- Tell us about a time you showed resilience under pressure
- Talk us through a complex piece of work and how you applied your knowledge and intellect
- Give us an example of driving a change or improvement initiative
Choosing your examples
The panel prefers to hear new examples, not just the ones you used in your written application. But if you add more detail to a previous example, that’s usually fine. Sometimes the panel may even ask you to expand on something you already wrote about.
Try to use examples from your recent work (within the last 10 years). You can also use examples from your personal life or volunteer experience if they show relevant skills.
Pick examples that are:
- directly relevant to the question
- specific (a real incident or event) and say exactly what you did
- complex or challenging (not something routine)
It’s okay to talk about something that went wrong, as long as you explain what you learned from it.
The panel values a wide range of experience. You won’t be at a disadvantage if you have an academic or international background, or if you don’t have direct UK court experience. Just make sure your examples are relevant, specific and show the right level of challenge for the role.
More about choosing the best examples.
How to structure your answers
You’ll usually have three to four minutes to answer each question.
The panel wants to know:
- what you did
- how you did it
- why you did it
- what happened as a result
You can use the SOAR method to structure your answer:
- Situation – briefly explain the context
- Objective – what were you trying to achieve?
- Action – what did you do, and why?
- Result – what was the outcome or impact?
The panel may stop you if they want you to focus more on a certain part of your answer. This is to help you stay on track and give stronger evidence.
Common mistakes to avoid
Giving too much background
Be brief when explaining the situation. Focus on your actions and their impact. That’s what the panel will mark.
Being too general
Avoid saying what you usually do or how you generally approach things. Instead, give a clear example of one specific time when you did something relevant to the question.
Using “we” instead of “I”
The panel needs to know what you did. Use “I” so they can assess your individual contribution.
Relying too much on notes
You can bring short notes with you. But reading from them too much can stop you from really listening to the panel and giving strong, relevant answers.
Not preparing enough
Set time aside before your interview to:
- read your self-assessment again
- think about possible questions
- practise saying your answers out loud
Being well prepared will help you give better examples and respond confidently if asked to explain your answers further.