Judicial careers: advice for solicitor candidates

Sarah Lee, former Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Commissioner

Why solicitors can make good judges

Judges come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, and there is no typical pathway into the judiciary. Previous court room or advocacy experience is not a requirement. Rather, the JAC looks for people who can provide examples of an appropriate level of complexity and seniority.

Solicitors often act as the closest legal link to a client, regularly applying strategic thinking and communication skills to advise. We see many cases through different stages, so have detailed knowledge across a broad range of legal issues and situations. All these skills are transferable to judicial roles.

Solicitors are underrepresented in the judiciary. In 2023-24, 52% of applicants for legally qualified judicial roles were solicitors, while 29% were barristers. However, solicitors only made up 32% of recommendations for appointment, compared to barristers, who made up 40%.

Top tips for your application

Prepare

Start early. Not being prepared or fully understanding the role of a judge is a common mistake candidates make. You should start preparing 18 months to two years before you intend to make an application. As a minimum, you should:

• participate in one of the judicial candidate support schemes offered by the Ministry of Justice
• sit in with judges to get a broader understanding of the role
• observe a public hearing to see how a judge manages a courtroom
• collate examples to match the JAC competency and skills and abilities frameworks

Focus

Take time to carefully review the bullet points listed in the competency headings for the exercise you plan to apply for. Every role has a specific framework which you should review so you understand the requirements thoroughly. These details are listed on the exercise vacancy listing on the JAC vacancies page.

Reflect

Invest time in thinking about your competency examples. You should reflect on your professional and wider relevant experiences and identify the best examples that demonstrate the specific competencies. Thoughtful preparation can significantly enhance your application and highlight your suitability for the judicial position. Keep a notebook to capture examples as they happen.

Think

Identify the professional skills you have developed throughout your career which are transferable to a judicial role. Additionally, consider drawing on experiences outside your professional career if they aptly demonstrate the relevant competency. For example, adjudicative panel roles or school governor positions. It is crucial to select examples that showcase complexity and depth. These will more effectively highlight your suitability for the judicial position.

Structure

When presenting your examples, whether in your application or at the selection day, you should use the SOAR model:

• Situation: Briefly describe the context, using only 10-15% of your word count
• Objective: Explain what you needed to achieve
• Action: Provide detailed examples of what you did – focus most on this part
• Result: Briefly explain the outcome and its impact

Remember: the panel is most interested in your actions, as these show your abilities best.

Be clear

When completing your application, there are a few things you should avoid:

• generalities – broad statements do not constitute evidence and will unnecessarily consume your wordcount without effectively demonstrating competencies
• jargon and overly technical language – at least one of your panel members will be lay members who may not be familiar with highly specialised terminology. A good judge can explain complex legal topics to lay people in their court or tribunal. Candidates should look to demonstrate this
• hyperlinks or case reference numbers – these will not be accessed during the evaluation process and may not be understood by the panel members

Be realistic

With frequent vacancies arising, there will be plenty of opportunities to apply once you feel ready. First time applicants should consider starting at entry level positions to gain judicial experience before applying for more senior roles. In practice, this may mean applying for fee-paid positions which need to be balanced alongside responsibilities to solicitor firms. While this change may feel challenging, as solicitors we are adept at juggling different commitments. Establish the benefits a judicial position would bring to your firm, your clients, your career, and to wider society. This will help you start that discussion with your firm.

The pathways to the judiciary and High Court resources on the JAC website give further context on potential career paths.

Use the support available to you

The JAC is committed to providing comprehensive guidance and support for individuals considering applying for judicial positions. The Targeted Outreach programme helps candidates from four underrepresented groups prepare for the process. These groups are:

• solicitor candidates
• women
• ethnic minority candidates
• disabled candidates

Stay positive

Being a judge is an important role in our society. It is vital to remember that selection processes are rightly hard and testing. Should you be unsuccessful, there will be many future opportunities to apply for the same or similar roles. It is very common for candidates to make multiple applications before they are successfully recommended. Not being appointed is not failure; it is a step toward your judicial career.

Good luck!

Resources

• Preparing written evidence for your application – this page outlines the written evidence used for JAC selection processes
• Completing your self-assessment – this page provides more information about completing self-assessments
• The revised Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework (JSAF) – this article on the Judicial Office website provides further information on the revised Judicial Skills and Abilities framework
• Prepare before you apply – this page provides details on good character guidance and an overview of the different stages involved in the selection process
• Judicial Appointments Commission: Volunteer as a mock candidate – this form outlines opportunities for prospective applicants to take part in mock assessments, where they can practise real selection materials with the option to receive feedback
• Guidance on qualifying tests – this guide details information on qualifying tests as a shortlisting stage
• Practice qualifying test tool – this tool can help you familiarise yourself with the format, software, and question styles used in actual qualifying tests
• Example role play – this video will help you gain a realistic understanding of the dynamics involved in judicial selection
• Guidance for selection day – this guide offers insights and advice to candidates preparing for their selection day
• Guidance on preparing for JAC selection exercises – this guide contains background information, top tips, and anonymised examples

You can also sign up to the Judging Your Future newsletter to stay up to date with current and upcoming judicial vacancies.

Sarah Lee qualified as a solicitor in 1990. She was appointed as a partner of Slaughter and May in 1999 and was Head of the Dispute Resolution Group and sat on the firm’s Partnership Board until May 2020. she retired as a partner in December 2020 but remains a Senior Consultant for the firm. Sarah currently supports the JAC’s Targeted Outreach programme in her capacity as a former JAC Commissioner.