Judicial Profiles - Fee-paid Judicial Posts
Before judges take up a permanent judicial appointment, they will invariably have sat in a fee-paid, or part-time, capacity. This section sets out details on some of the numerous fee-paid posts. In most circumstances the work is similar to the equivalent salaried appointment, but usually dealing with the less complex or serious cases.
On some occasions, retired salaried members of the judiciary will sit in a fee-paid capacity, for example deputy circuit judges. Their work will usually be of the same type and complexity of the equivalent salaried judge.
Deputy High Court Judges
Deputy High Court judges must meet the same qualification criteria as High Court judges - they must have had a right of audience ( the right of a lawyer to appear and speak as an advocate in court) in relation to all proceedings in the High Court for at least ten years or have been a circuit judge for at least two years. They are appointed by the Lord Chancellor after consultation with senior judges, and are authorised to sit until the end of the financial year in which they become 65.
Deputy Masters and Registrars
Deputy masters and registrars are appointed by the Lord Chancellor. The statutory qualification is the same as that for full-time office holders; a seven-year right of audience for all proceedings in any part of the Supreme Court, or all proceedings in county courts or Magistrates' Courts.
Their jurisdiction is the same as that for full-time office holders. Appointments are for five years, and are usually automatically extended by the Lord Chancellor for further successive terms of five years.
Deputy District Judges
Deputy district judges are appointed by the Lord Chancellor after a fair and open competition administered by the Judicial Appointments Commission, and the statutory qualification is the same as that for appointment as a district judge - a minimum of seven years' right of audience in any part of the Supreme Court, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates' courts.
Deputy district judges sit on a fee-paid basis in the county courts and district registries of the High Court for between 15 and 50 days a year. In general their jurisdiction is the same as that of a district judge. Appointments are for five years, and are automatically extended by the Lord Chancellor for further successive terms of five years - subject to the office holder's agreement and the retirement age of 65.
There are currently nearly 800 deputy district judges in post.
Deputy District Judges (Magistrates' Courts)
Deputy district judges (magistrates' courts) sit on a fee-paid basis in the Magistrates' Courts, and for a minimum of 15 days a year. During this period, reports on their performance are collected from pupil-master judges - experienced district judges (magistrates' courts) who provide support and guidance to their fee-paid colleagues. In general, the jurisdiction of a deputy district judge (Magistrates' Courts) is the same as that of a district judge (Magistrates' Courts).
Deputy district judges (Magistrates' Courts) are appointed by the Lord Chancellor after a fair and open competition administered by the Judicial Appointments Commission, and, prior to appointment, are usually practising barristers and solicitors with a good knowledge of criminal law and procedure. Sometimes, the Lord Chancellor may appoint other lawyers not in practice but who fulfil the statutory eligibility requirements and who have relevant experience, such as justices' clerks.
Recorders
The position of recorder is a fee paid post open to any fully qualified solicitor or barrister with at least 10 years practice before the Crown or county courts. Recorders are appointed by The Queen on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, after a fair and open competition administered by the Judicial Appointments Commission.
Recorders may sit in both Crown and county courts, but most start by sitting in the crown court. Their jurisdiction is broadly similar to that of a circuit judge, but they will generally handle less complex or serious matters coming before the court.
Recordership is often the first step on the judicial ladder to appointment to the circuit bench. Appointments are for five years, and are usually automatically extended by the Lord Chancellor for further successive terms of five years.
Recorders are required to manage cases actively as well as to determine claims at trial. A recorder’s duties include assisting the parties to prepare for trial, presiding over court proceedings and delivering judgments in both applications and contested trials.
Recorders are expected to sit for at least fifteen days a year but not normally for more than thirty days a year. Recorders may choose whether to count training days as sitting days. Newly appointed recorders have to attend a Judicial Studies Board residential Civil Induction course and to sit in with a circuit judge for one week. A Royal Warrant will then be issued and the recorder’s first week of sitting will be supervised. Recorders also attend periodical continuation courses lasting two days every three years.
There are currently just over 1,400 recorders in post.
Tribunal Panel Members
Panel members, also known as lay members are non-legal representatives on tribunals. Their role is to provide specialist knowledge to the tribunal. Read more about Tribunal Panel Members.
A day in the life of ...
Do you want to find out more about what a judge does in court?