Am I ready?

Are you asking yourself if you have the experience and qualities needed to be a judge? Is this the right next step in your career? Would life on the bench suit you?

Judges speak of the satisfaction offered by a judicial post, including the opportunity to be the decision-maker, the intellectual challenge, the public service ethic, prestige, financial security and the warm collegiate environment.

The flexible and varied nature of judicial work can make a career on the bench a practical and fulfilling option whatever your background or personal circumstances. The working arrangements for judges can meet the need of a broad range of people and their circumstances. These include part-time fee-paid roles, flexible working patterns and reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabilities. 
  
Of course the judiciary is not for everyone, and so you should think carefully before trying to make the move. A fee-paid position such as a deputy district judge in the magistrates' court, or a recorder can provide a good opportunity to see if a full time post suits you, while continuing in your current job. A fee-paid post on a Tribunal may also be a very good place to start.