"I believe my firm is pleased to have someone with judicial experience because of the extra knowledge and understanding I have gained."
"You have to be really hungry for the role. You are not simply being a Circuit Judge with a difference and paid a few extra thousand pounds per year."
"I do far more pure law now than I did as a professor - I had a large management role at the university"
"This is an important decision. It is the first case in which the Upper Tribunal has over-turned a decision by the ISA."
"If you decide to apply for a judicial post you need to give very careful thought to your application form."
"What made a huge difference for me was the shadowing. I think that having some degree of court sense is helpful for the qualifying test too."
"It is a privilege to be a mover and shaker at the centre of things."
"There is no reason why it should not be the norm for solicitors to become circuit judges."
"I started planning my move to become a judge three years ago."
"The 20 days a year that I sit are one of the most enjoyable parts of my professional life."
"It is interesting and hopefully a beneficial way of using your existing skills and developing some new ones."
"Being involved as a judge full-time, improving standards and promulgating best practice, is very rewarding."
"For the application form itself, I used as many practical examples as I could."
"It is a fascinating, wonderful job."
"I enjoy the exposure I get to a much wider range of people and problems."
"It has been a big change leaving my work in the NHS, but a very good one."
"The role-play took me very much out of my comfort zone and gave a true account of how a tribunal should work"
"In the period leading up to my interview, I read through whole cases relating to work I was doing"
"Right now, I couldn't be happier! The atmosphere is supportive and collegiate and we get on well."
"For me, becoming a judge is more about vocation than ambition. It is a new way in which to contribute to the law."
"The key to a successful application for judicial office is preparation."
"The interview is challenging. The questions are probing. However, the style and atmosphere is designed to put the candidate at ease."
"I was unsuccessful in 2009 but was encouraged by solicitors and barristers who had been through this very competitive process to try again."
"Speaking to people who have been through the selection procedures before can be extremely helpful."
"LGBT individuals should definitely feel able to apply for judicial roles if they are interested in becoming a judge."
"I wanted a different challenge"
Gary Hickinbottom applied for his first salaried judging post after 20 years as a solicitor because he wanted a different role, making the decisions.
"I am a person who is openly gay. I found the selection process - and since appointment find the tribunal - to be very inclusive."
Ray Singh, appointed a Recorder on the Northern Circuit in 2009, was only the second Asian solicitor to be appointed to the role.
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11 May 2012
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