Competency frameworks (legal and non-legal roles) and writing a self-assessment
Competency frameworks are used throughout the selection process to assess candidates’ ability to effectively carry out the roles. You will be expected to demonstrate either that you possess the required competencies or that you have the ability to acquire them quickly.
Competencies are specifically tailored to each role through job analysis, including interviews with those already in post. Each competency framework will be published on the information page for the specific selection exercise in our vacancies listing.
Many roles will ask you to complete a self-assessment referring to the competency framework. We recommend you take a look at our guidance on completing your self-assessment and, in particular, choosing the best examples. The self-assessment should not simply be a reiteration of your career history.
The frameworks incorporate the Judicial Skills and Abilities used by Courts and Tribunals Judiciary and the Judicial College. This means that role holders are assessed by the same measures at every stage of their career.
The competencies continue to ensure fair and accurate selection by panels against clear criteria.
Skills and abilities and writing a statement of suitability (senior and leadership roles)
We assess candidates for the High Court, s9(4) Deputy High Court judge, s9(1) authorisations and Leadership roles against a set of skills and abilities criteria for each type of post. These are aligned to the Judicial Skills and Abilities framework used by the judiciary and Judicial College, and lists the ways in which a person demonstrates the required skills and abilities when working effectively in post. We use different skills and abilities for different exercises, for example:
- High Court judge skills and abilities criteria
- s9(4) Deputy High Court judge and s9(1) authorisation skills and abilities criteria
- Leadership skills and abilities criteria
Details will be provided in the role advert.
For exercises using the skills and abilities criterion, you will need to complete a statement of suitability which provides evidence to demonstrate the criteria. The statement of suitability is your opportunity to tell us about the experience and knowledge you have for the post. You must provide examples and evidence of why you feel your skills and experience are transferable to the post – and of the requisite level – and why they will enable you to perform effectively in the role.
The advice above for writing a self-assessment still applies for a statement of suitability but at this level, we expect candidates to have experience and knowledge of the skills and abilities required and the ability to pitch themselves appropriately. Therefore we don’t have the same sort of requirements around how the statements should be structured, for example, and allow candidates to take a bespoke approach, presenting their evidence the way that best suits them.
You might also be required to submit a brief CV and written work that further evidences how you meet the criteria, and there will be a career history section of the application. The statement of suitability should not simply be a reiteration of your career history.
CV
For some senior and leadership roles, you may be asked to provide a CV. You should use the CV as an opportunity to draw the panel’s attention to the standout moments in your career; in short, the CV should act as a highlights reel specifically pulling out the things that have provided you with the experience and skills necessary to apply for the role.
In contrast, the career history section of your online application provides the panel with a factual and chronological timeline of your career to date but does not offer the same opportunity as the CV to unpack specific cases or specific roles.
Non-legal eligibility statement
To apply for non-legal roles, candidates must show how they satisfy the eligibility requirements for the post. This is a relatively straightforward but incredibly important step; applicants will not be able to go any further in the process if they have not provided clear evidence of their eligibility.
There are two ways we might ask for information about your eligibility. For some roles, you will simply need to list relevant experience and memberships. For other roles, you may need to provide an eligibility statement.
If you are asked to provide an eligibility statement, you should read the eligibility requirements closely and make sure your statement explains how you meet these specific requirements. You will not need to complete a self-assessment or provide further documents such as a CV at this stage.