Type Of Judge

Where They Sit

Modes Of Address

Comments

Lord Justices of The Supreme Court

Supreme Court

My Lord/My Lady

(individually My Lord, Lord (surname)).

The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal in the UK for civil cases.   The Justices are independent of parliament and the court falls outside the remit of the Lord Chief Justice in his role as head of the judiciary of England and Wales.

Lord Justices Of Appeal

Court of Appeal

My Lord/My Lady

(individually as My Lord, Lord Justice (surname)).

The lower appeal court judge. The Court of Appeal is headed by the Master of Rolls.

High Court Judge

High Court

My Lord/My Lady.

The highest civil court judge.

Circuit Judge

County Court

Your Honour

Section 37 of the County Court Act 1984 vests the circuit judge with their powers.

Recorders

County Court

Your Honour

Recorders are barristers or solicitors of at least 10 years standing who sit part time in the place of circuit judges.

Section 5(3) of the County Court Act 1984 states that every Recorder by virtue of his/her office is capable of sitting as a judge for any county court district in England and Wales.

District Judge/
Registrar

High Court and County Court

Sir/Madam

District Judges are full time judges. The general jurisdiction of a district judge is contained in RSC O32, r23 and 24.

Applications are heard by a District Judge where the proceedings have been commenced in a District registry of the High Court or in the County Court, but where the proceedings have been commenced at the Royal Courts of Justice, rather than a District Registry, applications are dealt with by a Registrar.

Deputy District Judge

High Court and County Court

Sir/Madam

Deputy District Judges are solicitors and barristers who do not sit as District Judges full time. Deputy District Judges exercise the full jurisdiction and powers of a district judge except in relation to applications under Children’s Act 1989.