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Court of Appeal vacancies: December 2025

Published:

The Lord Chancellor has asked the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to convene a selection panel to recommend candidates to fill up to seven vacancies in the Court of Appeal.  

The exercise launches on 1 December 2025, and anyone interested in making an application should contact the JAC’s Head of Senior Appointments, Lisa Grant, for further information on the eligibility and selection criteria as well as the documentation required to make an application. The exercise closes for applications on 15 December 2025.  

Candidates are expected to be of outstanding ability and save in exceptional circumstances, have sufficient directly relevant previous judicial experience. The meaning of “directly relevant experience” is sitting as a judge in a higher court, with substantial experience of hearing complex and demanding cases. Candidates are required to submit judgments as part of their application.  

Court of Appeal 2025 Selection Criteria:  

  • That they are an outstanding lawyer and judge
  • The ability to deliver excellent judgments expeditiously
  • That they work calmly under pressure in and out of court, remaining courteous and polite
  • An understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of the work of the Court of Appeal 
  • An understanding of the impact of law on society
  • An understanding of the constitutional relationships between the judiciary, the executive and the legislature  
  • The ability to work efficiently and effectively, and to make beneficial use of information and other technologies 
  • The ability to work well with judicial colleagues, Judicial Office and HMCTS officials, court users and court staff
  • Leadership skills

If you are interested in making an application and you think you have the requisite evidence to do so, please send an email to CoA2025@judicialappointments.gov.uk in order to request an information pack.  

All enquiries are dealt with in the strictest confidence.