Dear Judge,
I am thinking of becoming a judge. What advice do you have for me?
Thanks,
Terry
Dirty Rotten Law Judge replies:
Dear Terry,
The paucity of background information in your letter requires me to reach certain conclusions, and what struck me most was your name, Terry, since it’s not one I hear very often. I have looked up when Terry was a popular name, and Google tells me that in UK and US data trends, the name hit its overall peak around 1964. Now I am not a person to judge another by their name, although I do enjoy considering the evidence and reaching a conclusion in a civil case on the balance of probabilities and in a criminal case beyond reasonable doubt.
It would therefore seem to me, on balance, that you are 61 or 62 years old and seeking a career switch. In England & Wales you would find this far easier to do if you are already a legal person (usually barrister or solicitor) with some years of professional practice behind you, as opposed to a business person or social media influencer, or someone with practical skills such as an electrician, plumber, printer or sheet metal worker, or train driver.
I say this not to discriminate against you on the ground of your age, or indeed on the ground of your occupation. I say it simply to temper your enthusiasm, since if you are not a lawyer you will have many years of training and professional practice ahead of you. And that’s before you can even turn your mind to becoming a judge, which usually starts by gaining a position in the lower judiciary, such as a deputy district judge, or a first-tier tribunal judge in the Social Entitlement Chamber, or the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber. Or, if you have luck on your side, you’ll go down the Recorder route (a Recorder being a part-time judge in the Crown and County Courts), then onto Circuit Judge, up to the High Court and beyond. If you are very very clever you might go from practice straight to the High Court and if you have won Brain of Britain at least six times you might be elevated from practice straight to the Supreme Court.
Whatever your age, if you are enterprising and enthusiastic, then with hard work, a good mind and a following wind, you can do anything you like. The world is your oyster. Take your time and remember these wise words: “Festina Lente”, i.e. go fast slowly.
