Judges' career paths

The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) has responsibility for making recommendations for the appointment of judicial office-holders. The Commission also has a remit to raise the diversity of the judiciary.

Are you interested in joining the judiciary? Judges deal with criminal, civil and family cases at courts throughout England and Wales.

Are you interested in joining the judiciary? Magistrates deal with about 95 per cent of all criminal cases, and are a vital part of the justice system.

Are you interested in joining the judiciary? Tribunals deal with over a million cases each year, and are for many people their first contact with the justice system.

A common description of a judicial office-holder is "pale and male" - a white man, probably educated at public school and Oxbridge.