Mark Hinchliffe

Deputy President of the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal

The Health, Education and Social Care Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal brings together the former jurisdictions of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for England, the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal for England and the Care Standards Tribunal.

'I became a judge because I wanted to make the right decisions, based on evidence. It is very different to being an advocate, where every situation is win or lose.

I remember my first interview in 1990 (in the pre-JAC days), for a part time immigration adjudicator position. It was in a little room in a tower at the Houses of Parliament and I'd found out about the job by simply writing to the Lord Chancellor and asking! I was 34 at the time and my first sitting day was on my 35th birthday, which was the minimum age to be a judge at the time. After that I gradually took on more part-time fee-paid positions until I started my present role as Deputy Chamber President for the Health, Education and Social
Care Chamber.

The JAC does what it says on the tin - judges are now appointed solely on merit. Five years ago I don't think I'd have got a look in to be a judge. Now it's a much more egalitarian process and a level playing field. Because of my background of starting out as a solicitor, in the North of England, I felt like an outsider but was never treated as one.

To prepare for my presentation as part of my selection process I read everything the JAC produced on how to give yourself the best chance. It was very clear that what was wanted was practical, example based lines so that's what I thought about. I had also been director of tribunals training at the Judicial Services Board for two years so I had lots of experience in public speaking.

I'd like other people from non-conventional backgrounds to have faith in the system and apply. I am so pleased that I decided to 'give it a go' because I love my job. No-one can take appointment for granted any more and that's how it should be.'