The judicial work shadowing scheme has seen more than double the number of applicants since it was re-launched a year ago.
The year up to October 2008 saw 280 applications, with an increase to 730 applicants following the re-launch by the Lord Chief Justice at the ‘Equality in Justice’ day in October last year.
The Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme was reviewed in summer 2008 by Judicial Office staff and several changes were introduced. The scheme was extended in two ways:
- allowing other legal professions to participate (legal executives, patent attorneys and trade mark attorneys)
- introducing the shadowing of High Court Judges (for solicitors and barristers with more than five years’ post qualification legal experience).
Mrs Justice Linda Dobbs, Senior Liaison Judge on Diversity said:
“Experience shows that lawyers do not generally consider judicial appointment until well into their legal careers. Accordingly, the scheme was extended last year to enable a greater number of young lawyers to find out more about judicial service and, if interested, to plan well ahead for eventual application.
“The fact that the number of applications has more than doubled in one year is really encouraging and is an indication of considerable interest among lawyers regarding the possibility of joining the judiciary. The extension of the scheme should, hopefully, lead to an increase in the diversity of the pool of applicants for judicial office.”
The scheme gives eligible legal practitioners who are considering a career in judicial office, either now or at some time in the future, an insight into judicial life. The scheme is administered centrally by the Directorate of Judicial Offices for England and Wales.
Eligible legal practitioners can spend up to three days observing the work (both in and out of court), of the following judges:
- High Court Judge
- Circuit Judge
- District Judge (sitting in civil or family jurisdictions)
- District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts)
- Tribunal Judge
Participants in the scheme can shadow a judicial office holder for a period of between one to three days. Shadowing can cover any aspect of a judge’s work, both in court and out of court.
Note to Editors:
Further details of the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme can be found here
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