How to become a judge

You'll need to complete an undergraduate degree in law, which will take three years. At University of Central Lancashire, our Law LLB (Hons) course will equip you with well-rounded legal knowledge. You’ll also get the chance to practice your legal skills in our pro-bono law clinics. This will give you valuable experience working on real cases.

If you have an undergraduate degree in an unrelated area, then you can complete a one-year conversion course in law.

Once you have a law degree, there are two routes to become a judge. One is to become a solicitor and the other is to become a barrister.

If you want to become a solicitor, then you will need to complete the Legal Practice Course and undertake a two-year training contract with a law firm.

If you would like to become a barrister, then you will need to complete the Bar Professional Training course prior to a one-year pupillage.

Once you have qualified as a barrister or solicitor, you will need around five to 15 years of experience to become a judge. The amount of experience you need can vary depending on the type of judge you wish to qualify as.

During this time, you might be able to complete the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme. This will give you insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of a judge. There’s also a Judicial Mentoring Scheme which is available to applicants who are under-represented within the system (this includes women, ethnic minorities, lawyers with a state school education).

To be considered for the role of a judge, you need to meet the eligibility criteria. This means that you need:

• Be a qualified solicitor or barrister
• Experience working as a legal professional for five to seven years
• Be eligible based on your nationality

If you meet the above criteria, you can apply to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). They will then consider your application for selection.

The selection process will involve a range of assessments, interviews and applications. These may vary according to the type of judge role you have applied to become.

Once you are appointed as a judge, you will receive further training. This will offer support and guidance on how to deliver judgements, the relevant legal knowledge and courtroom processes.

Most judges start in lower courts and work their way up to higher courts as they gain more experience. You’ll normally begin working as a judge in a Magistrates’ Court or County Court, before moving up to a Crown Court or Higher Court.

However, if you are very experienced in law, some judges can be directly appointed to Higher Courts.

There are other routes to become a judge, which involve working as a magistrate or a recorder.

A magistrate is someone who voluntarily sits in court and listens to the legal proceedings. They will apply case law and fairness when reaching decisions. They’ll often work with legal advisers who can provide guidance on decisions. Once someone has built up experience working as a magistrate, they can apply for legal qualifications and training to become a judge in the UK.

Recorders are judges who work part-time. They are often qualified barristers or solicitors who want to become a judge. Once recorders have gained experience, they can be promoted to judge roles.