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CILEX Judges

Chartered Legal Executives as Judges

Chartered Legal Executive lawyers with relevant years’ post qualification experience are not only eligible for a wide range of judicial appointments but are also uniquely positioned to drive greater diversity within the judiciary. CILEX members bring valuable perspectives that can help create a more inclusive and representative judicial system.

“CILEX offers an important route to increasing judicial diversity. 77% of CILEX Fellows are women and with its non-graduate route to becoming a lawyer, it can and does attract candidates from diverse socio-economical backgrounds, with considerable benefits for social mobility.” Lord Bellamy.

With recent legislative changes, more senior judicial roles are now open to Chartered legal Executive. Meaning, those with the relevant skills, experience and expertise to apply for judicial office can now apply for the following judicial posts:

  • District Judge
  • District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts)
  • Deputy District Judge
  • Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts)
  • Judge of the First-tier Tribunal
  • Employment Judge;
  • Road User Charging Adjudicator
  • Adjudicators (regulation 17 Civil Enforcement of Parking Conventions)
  • Recorder
  • Upper Tribunal Judge

Are you interested in judicial appointment?:

Preparing for a judicial role is exciting, but can also be daunting, CILEX is here to help you every step of the way.

There are a number of schemes and programmes available to help prepare you for applying for a judiciary appointment.

We strongly encourage members considering applying for a judicial appointment to make use of these before making an application as they offer firsthand insight, helping you to make an informed decision about your future.


CILEX Judicial Academy

The CILEX Judicial Academy provides an invaluable opportunity for lawyers aspiring to a judicial career.

This unique programme, design for lawyer with at least 5 years’ post qualified experience, will equip you with the knowledge skills and confidence needed to navigate the judicial application process successfully and excel in a judicial role.

Through personalised one-on-one coaching sessions, exclusive networking opportunities, practical workshops, advocacy training and immersive learning sessions, the CILEX Academy prepares you to step into a judicial role with confidence. Our combination of in-person and online forums enables flexible learning that fits around your current commitment, while providing you with the support and resources to thrive in this next chapter of your career.

Find out more and how to apply here

Pre-Application Judicial Education Programme (PAJE)

Launched in 2019, the PAJE Programme is designed to empower talented lawyers from under-represented groups, helping them feel more equipped, confident and prepared as they consider applying for judicial roles.

This programme is a collaborative initiative from the Judicial Diversity Forum, which includes the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), Bar Council, Law Society of England and Wales, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) and the Legal Services Board. Together, forum members are committed to attracting judicial applicants from all backgrounds to build a judiciary that truly reflects the society it services.

Find out more about PAJE here

Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme

The Judicial Work Shadowing scheme offers you up to three days alongside experienced judges, both in and out of court, allowing you to gain practical insight into their day-to-day work. It’s an ideal opportunity to see the challenges and rewards of a judicial career firsthand, helping you make an informed decision about your future.

Find out more about the Work Shadowing scheme here

Judicial Mentoring Scheme

A Judicial Mentoring Scheme has been developed to champion greater diversity and inclusion within the judiciary, with a special focus on increasing the representation of women, Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) lawyers and professionals from divers socio-economic backgrounds.

This initiative is a priority for both the Lord Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals, offering invaluable guidance to those from under-represented groups. By participating, you’ll gain mentorship from experience judges who understand the unique challenges of the role and can help you navigate the path to judicial success.

Prepare for application here

More information

How to find out about vacancies


How to prepare for application and selection 

  • Evaluate yourself with Am I ready?
  • Read case studies of successful candidates.
  • Take a look at an overview of the selection process.
  • Visit the Judiciary website to learn more about the work of judicial officeholders.
  • Spend time in and research the jurisdiction you intend to apply for.
  • Speak to judges and observe how they work.
  • Apply to the Judicial Work Shadowing Schemerun by the Judicial Office.
  • Observe courts or tribunals from the public gallery.
  • View the digital resources available on the Pre-Application Judicial Education (PAJE) programme webpage and consider applying for a place on the discussion groups which run periodically throughout the year.
  • Take a look at the guidance launched by the JAC developed to help you prepare for selection exercises
  • Make use of the Dry runs which are run by the JAC: JAC use ‘dry-runs’ for selection exercise elements including online qualifying tests, role plays and interviews to check that the selection materials are fair and robust. Participating in a dry-run as a mock candidate is an excellent opportunity if you are considering applying for judicial appointment in the future to familiarize yourself with the selection process. You will be asked to provide your views on the delivery of the test, in relation to, for example, the test content and timings, and you will be provided with feedback on your performance. You can sign up online with your preferences and the JAC will contact you when an opportunity arises, and you would be eligible for the post in question. This can help you decide if you are ready to apply, or to understand where you might need development. You can find all the details about JAC ‘dry runs’ here.