Aneeta Borwick: Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts)

“I would say that, even if you think, like I did, that such roles are out of reach, never say never. Give it the thought I did and most certainly the preparation and go for it. The job is a positive and rewarding one. One in which you do feel as though you are contributing and often making a difference – be that slight or more often, huge.”

Aneeta qualified as a Solicitor in 1998. She is a Solicitor Advocate and one of the four founding partners of ABV Solicitors. Aneeta was appointed a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) in 2009.

Background

A judicial appointment had never really been something I had thought about at that stage in my career. Perhaps thinking it was something out of reach, I was encouraged to at least consider applying by a Deputy District Judge, ahead of a competition that was coming up. I was busy in Court as a defence solicitor virtually every day and was told I knew my arena inside out. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became about applying and then thought, why not give it a go?

Application

At the back of my mind though, I must admit that I still thought it was pretty much out of reach. It was a long process – at least it felt as though it was. I approached a District Judge that I appeared before on a regular basis and who knew my work well to be one of my referees and he was very encouraging. Following the written application, I had to physically go to a venue and sit a written exam. It was not online as it is now. I did not like the thought of revising the law for the exam but like any good advocate knows, preparation is key. I got through the exam and by the time I was invited for an interview some months later, I was in fact pregnant.

I attended the interview which was far more relaxed than I had expected. I did the role play on the same day and was astonished at just how ‘real’ the whole set up was. There were typical court room scenarios with a few surprises thrown in, nothing that would not happen in real life and not to throw you but for you to demonstrate your management and control of the Court. I realised then how my every day work of appearing so regularly at the Magistrates’ Court had given me the most beneficial experience and confidence. 

A few months later I received the letter saying I had been successful and was to be appointed. The letter was inviting me to a residential induction course the following month – the same week my baby was due. I attended, very heavily pregnant and managed to get through the week without any emergencies! All the course tutors and my 29 fellow delegates could not have been more supportive.

The role

Since then, I have been sitting alongside continuing to work as a Partner in my firm. I love the fact that my work is so varied, and the skillset I have gained from sitting has been invaluable in so many different ways. I think it has made me a better lawyer and given me a whole new perspective on the work that I do. I think carefully on how I would realistically deal with a situation, if it was me sitting. It goes both ways: when I am sitting, I also have a better understanding of what the advocates before me are dealing with. All the Judges and Deputies I have met have been and continue to be nothing but welcoming and always helpful.

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