Judicial careers offer a range of ways of working to suit applicants. Many roles are salaried, others are fee paid.
Fee-paid roles
Fee-paid roles are paid according to the number of sittings or days worked. The amount can vary but the usual expectation is that candidates must be able to work at least 15 days a year.
Fee-paid roles are similar to equivalent salaried appointments but may deal with less complex or serious cases. They come with many of the same terms and conditions as a salaried judge, but people in these roles are able to continue with their other legal work.
Salaried roles
Salaried judges are required to give up legal practice on appointment and restrictions on additional remuneration apply. The appointment to a salaried judicial office (whether full-time or part-time) is, unless specified otherwise, regarded as a lifetime appointment. Roles offer attractive benefits including a monthly salary, holiday entitlement, sick pay and pension contributions.
They often offer career progression into senior leadership roles. Successful applicants are usually expected to continue in the role for 3 – 5 years.
Full-time or part-time working for salaried roles
A number of salaried roles up to and including High Court level can be part time. A salaried part-time judicial office holder is subject to the same benefits (on a pro-rata basis, where applicable) and the same terms and conditions as a full-time office holder.
Availability depends on part-time working not affecting the business needs of the courts or tribunals, or the services to users negatively.
If you’re interested in flexible or part-time working, we recommend you apply for posts that are advertised as being open to salaried part-time working.
Candidates are always assessed on merit and this preference will not influence your application.
Working patterns
Working patterns can differ depending on the office, such as a set number of days a week, or for set weeks or months.
If you work part-time, final working patterns are discussed and agreed with the successful candidate, relevant senior judiciary and the business area when a job offer is made.
For more detailed information, read the Ministry of Justice guide to judicial salaried part-time working.
Support for applicants
The JAC offers expert help for people applying for roles from under-represented groups through its Targeted Outreach programme.
Find out more about other support pathways for your journey into the judiciary.