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46-644: An essential element of the philosophy of the Judicial College is that the training of judges and magistrates is under judicial control and direction. A circuit judge , currently Andrew Hatton, is seconded to the Judicial College as Director of Training for Courts. Employment Judge Christa Christensen is seconded as the Director of Training for Tribunals. They are also the Joint Deans of the Faculty of

92-455: A High Court judge at first instance. They are mainly responsible for trials and case management pre-trial in exclusively civil cases in London. They wear dark blue gowns with pink tabs in court and are addressed as 'Master', regardless of gender, or ‘Judge’. Ceremonially, they wear a full-bottomed wig, court coat, jabot and black silk gown. Each division has a Senior Master, and each division has

138-519: A day rate for sitting. Also unlike their magistrate counterparts, these members are recruited in the same manner as other judges via the Judicial Appointments Commission . Magistrates (also known as Justices of the peace ) are trained volunteers appointed from the local community, who generally sit in threes in order to give judgment in magistrates' courts and youth courts . The chair is addressed as "Sir" or "Madam" or

184-437: A deputy district judge (civil). There are a range of professionals who support the judiciary in complex legal cases where there is an interface between the law and another professional area. In these matters, sometimes non-legally qualified judges are appointed to preside over specialist areas. These judges are sometimes referred to as fee-paid (judiciary) officer holders, or non-legal members. An example are those appointed by

230-810: A different title: The Senior Master of the King's Bench Division also holds the ancient judicial post of King's Remembrancer (Queen's Remembrancer when the monarch is female), and is also the Registrar of Election petitions and Foreign judgements as well as being the designated authority for the Hague Service Convention and Hague Evidence Convention and receiving agency under the EU Service Regulation – Council Regulation (EC) No. 1348/2000 and EU Taking of Evidence Regulation – Council Regulation (EC) No. 1206/2001 . The Senior Master

276-432: A district judge (who may be taking their first steps on the route to becoming a full-time district judge). Retired district judges sometimes sit as deputies. They are addressed as "Judge". In law reports, they are referred to as, for example, "DDJ Smith". Formerly, deputy district judges could only be drawn from barristers and solicitors of at least seven years' standing. However, in 2004, calls for increased diversity among

322-586: A full-bottomed wig, court coat, jabot and black silk gown. As judges exercising the jurisdiction of the High Court their decisions are of equal standing to that of a High Court justice at first instance. Masters and ICC Judges are not referred to with a post-nominal abbreviation in the law reports, and appear as "Master Smith" or "ICC Judge Smith". Formerly, Masters and ICC Judges could only be drawn from barristers and solicitors of at least seven years' standing. However, in 2004, calls for increased diversity among

368-399: A lilac trim and a full-bottomed wig. Some circuit judges are appointed as senior circuit judges and take on additional responsibility, such as the running of the largest court centres. Some Crown Courts will appoint judges as 'resident judges', who will only hear cases at that court and act as the senior judge. This is often accompanied with an honorary recorder title . In Rumpole and

414-665: A pension scheme, the 1993 and earlier versions of which were once considered to be one of the most generous in the British public sector. The administrative body of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is classified as a non-ministerial department . The Supreme Court is independent of the government of the UK, of Parliament, and of the court services of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It takes appeals from

460-664: A purple trim and a full wig. A recorder is a part-time circuit judge, usually a practising barrister, solicitor or a member of the courts or tribunal judiciary who is not a full-time circuit judge. Recorders are addressed in court in the same way as circuit judges (as 'Your Honour'). There is no formal abbreviation for the position and recorders are referred to as 'Mr/Mrs Recorder Smith' (as opposed to circuit judges, who can be referred to as 'HHJ Smith' in judgements, law reports or other legal documents). Formerly, recorders could only be drawn from barristers of at least 10 years' standing. However, in 2004, calls for increased diversity among

506-563: A role in appointing judges, through control of the Judicial Appointments Commission . In law reports , the Lord Chief Justice is referred to as (for example) "Smith LCJ" or "Lord Smith CJ", and the Lord Chancellor as "Smith LC". In court, the Lord Chief Justice wears a black damask gown with gold lace along with a short wig during criminal cases and the black civil gown with gold tabs during civil cases. Ceremonially,

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552-486: A short wig along with red and black gowns for criminal cases, and a civil robe with red tabs without wig for civil cases and, when in open court, family cases. Judges of the Family Division sitting in private wear formal suits. Ceremonially, all High Court justices wear the red gown with white trim along with a full wig. A Master is a level of judge in the High Court whose decisions are of equal standing to that of

598-467: A violet robe with lilac trim, bands , a short horsehair wig and a red tippet (sash) over the left shoulder. For civil cases they wear the same robe with a lilac sash, but neither bands nor wigs are worn. When sitting at the Old Bailey , and for some types of High Court work, circuit judges wear a black silk gown over a court coat or a waistcoat. On ceremonial occasions they wear violet robes with

644-626: Is assisted in this role as Central Authority by the Foreign Process Section of the King's Bench Action Department at the Royal Courts of Justice. The seven Insolvency and Companies Court Judges, one of whom is the Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge, hear and dispose of much of the High Court insolvency (both personal and corporate) and pure company law cases and trials in London (such as cases arising under

690-430: Is published by Oxford University Press. As of April 2022 there have been 16 editions of this book. All judges hearing cases involving personal injury automatically receive a copy of this book. The book was prepared by a working group under the chairmanship of Judge Roger Cox to address the problem of deciding damages in personal injury claims, and was designed to "distil the conventional wisdom found in reported cases", but

736-416: Is the subject of public commentary and criticism, for example in its guidance on race and the treatment of transgender people in court. For example, in its latest edition, judges are advised to respect transgender people's preferred name and pronouns for most purposes, but that this may not necessarily be best to require of witnesses alleging abuse or violence at the hands of a transgender person. In such cases,

782-597: Is the title given to two different categories of judges. One group of district judges sit in the county courts and have jurisdiction in civil and family cases, having previously been known as registrars until the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 . The other group sit in the magistrates' courts and were formerly known as stipendiary magistrates until the Access to Justice Act 1999 . Members of this latter group are more formally known as "district judge (magistrates' courts)" (see

828-491: The Courts Act 2003 ). Judges in both groups are addressed as "Judge". In law reports, they are referred to as "DJ Smith". Formerly, district judges could only be drawn from barristers and solicitors of at least seven years' standing. However, in 2004, calls for increased diversity among the judiciary were recognised and the qualification period was changed so that, since 21 July 2008, a potential district judge must satisfy

874-1206: The Crown Court , the Family Court , the County Court and some specialized sub-divisions of the High Court of Justice , such as the Technology and Construction Court. There are currently over 600 circuit judges throughout England and Wales. The office of circuit judge was created by the Courts Act 1971 and replaced the former offices of chairman of quarter sessions and borough recorder . All County Court Judges were also redesignated as circuit judges. Circuit judges are styled His or Her Honour Judge X and are referred to as His or Her Honour. They are sometimes referred to as "purple judges" on account of their purple colour dress robes. Recorders effectively function as part-time circuit judges and are also addressed as "Your Honour". Circuit judges rank below High Court judges but above district judges . They may be appointed to sit as deputy High Court judges, and some of

920-546: The King's Bench Division of the High Court, but on becoming head of the judiciary that responsibility was transferred to a new office. The Lord Chief Justice is responsible for arranging training for the judiciary, which is achieved through the Judicial College . Although the Lord Chancellor is no longer a judge, he still exercises disciplinary authority over the judges, jointly with the Lord Chief Justice. He also has

966-404: The tribunals judiciary. By statute , judges are guaranteed continuing judicial independence . There have been multiple calls from both Welsh academics and politicians however for a Wales criminal justice system . The following is a list of the various types of judges who sit in the Courts of England and Wales : Since 3 April 2006, the Lord Chief Justice has been the overall head of

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1012-580: The 2024 edition says, "The court should always put witnesses in the position of giving their best evidence. As in any case (eg a fraud where a defendant has used multiple identities), witnesses should give evidence referring to the defendant in the way they knew that person." This article relating to law in the United Kingdom , or its constituent jurisdictions, is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Circuit judge (UK) Circuit judges are judges in England and Wales who sit in

1058-601: The Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey), in which case addressed as "My Lord (Lady)". Senior circuit judges who sit as the honorary recorder of a borough or city are also entitled to be addressed in court as "my lord/lady." In law reports, circuit judges are referred to as "HHJ Smith", or simply, "Judge Smith." Formerly, circuit judges could only be drawn from barristers of at least ten years' standing. However, in 2004, calls for increased diversity among

1104-567: The Equal Treatment Bench Book, a guide to courtroom practices for judges facing litigants and witnesses of different races, sexes, genders, religions and so on. It is designed to help judges address diverse parties and witnesses respectfully, and to make them aware of the particular needs and concerns of some of those appearing in court. The book is updated every three years, with its most recent edition appearing in July 2024. It

1150-708: The Heads of Division wear a black damask gown with gold lace along with a short wig during criminal cases and the black civil gown with gold tabs during civil cases. Ceremonially, the Heads of Division wear red gowns with white trim along with full wigs except for the Master of the Rolls who wears the black damask gown with gold lace and full wig. Judges of the Court of Appeal are known as Lords Justices , and they too are Privy Counsellors . Before swearing in they may be referred to as

1196-461: The High Court. Until 2006 this role was nominally held by the Lord Chancellor, but was in practice delegated to the vice-chancellor. The vice-chancellor was renamed Chancellor of the High Court when the Lord Chancellor's judicial role was abolished. The Heads of Division are referred to in law reports as "Smith MR", "Smith P", "Smith P", and "Smith C" respectively. Vice-chancellors from pre-2006 Chancery cases were referred to as "Smith VC". In court,

1242-604: The Honourable Lord Justice Smith, and after swearing in as the Right Honourable Lord Justice Smith. Female Lord Justices are known as Lady Justices. Addressed as "My Lord" or "My Lady". In law reports, referred to as "Smith LJ", and, for more than one judge, "Smith and Jones LJJ". Formerly, Lords Justices of Appeal could only be drawn from barristers of at least 10 years' standing. In practice, much greater experience

1288-740: The Insolvency Act 1986, the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, the Companies Acts and related legislation). They also hear appeals from district judges of the County Court in the south east region in company law and corporate insolvency matters. For convenience, their title is often abbreviated to "ICC Judge". They wear a dark blue gown with pink tabs in court (but no longer wear wigs) and are addressed as 'Judge'. Ceremonially, they wear

1334-689: The Judicial College. Paul Roberts, a legally-trained criminologist who studies forensic science , argues that decisions surrounding the admissibility of expert evidence in English Law are mostly governed by soft law based on advice by the Judicial College and various professional associations . The Judicial College produces a book called the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases , which

1380-575: The Lord Chancellor to sit over Mental Health Review Tribunal . Within this tribunal, there are three panel judges, one will be a legally qualified lawyer, whilst the other two are drawn from the mental health professions, such as social work , nursing or psychology , these are known as Specialist Lay Members. The other is a consultant psychiatrist, known as the Medical Member. All members are addressed as "Sir" or "Madam", but unlike magistrates, these members are paid for their service, normally

1426-402: The Lord Chief Justice wears the red robe with white trim along with a gold chain and full wig. The Lord Chancellor wears white winged shirt with ruffled collar, black waistcoat, and black coat underneath the black damask gown with gold lace, and black knee-length breeches with black silk stockings, and full-bottomed wig during ceremonial occasions. There are four Heads of Divisions aside from

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1472-775: The Lord Chief Justice: the Master of the Rolls , the President of the King's Bench Division , the President of the Family Division and the Chancellor of the High Court . The Master of the Rolls is head of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal . The other Heads are in charge of the three divisions of the High Court . The Chancellor of the High Court is president of the Chancery Division of

1518-510: The Reign of Terror by John Mortimer , Horace Rumpole dismisses the idea of being a circuit judge: "Circus judge is what I call them." Judiciary of England and Wales#District Judges There are various levels of judiciary in England and Wales —different types of courts have different styles of judges . They also form a strict hierarchy of importance, in line with the order of

1564-492: The bench is addressed as "Your Worships". There are eight pay points for judges in the United Kingdom (including England and Wales). The following is a simplified list of annual judicial salaries from 1 April 2024, showing only the most widely-held grades and some of the best known specific appointments. A complete list of all the posts at each pay point can be found on the website of the Ministry of Justice. Judges also have

1610-529: The black civil robe with gold tabs for civil cases. For ceremonial occasions, they wear the full wig and black damask gown with gold lace. High Court justices are not normally Privy Counsellors and are therefore referred to as the Honourable Mr/Mrs Justice Smith. Addressed as "My Lord" or "My Lady". In law reports they are referred to as "Smith J", and, for more than one judge, "Smith and Jones JJ". High Court justices normally wear

1656-494: The courts in which they sit, so that judges of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales are given more weight than district judges sitting in county courts and magistrates' courts. On 1 April 2020 there were 3,174 judges in post in England and Wales. Some judges with United Kingdom-wide jurisdiction also sit in England and Wales, particularly Justices of the United Kingdom Supreme Court and members of

1702-590: The judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 7-year basis. Each circuit judge is assigned to a court circuit . There are six in England and Wales, namely the Midland, Northern, North Eastern, South Eastern and Western circuits, and the Wales and Chester circuit. Despite the name, Chester is a part of the Northern Circuit for administrative purposes. When hearing criminal cases, circuit judges wear

1748-544: The judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a five-year basis. From November 2010, other types of lawyer, such as legal executives (fellows of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives ), also became eligible to be district judges. The senior district judge (magistrates' courts) is also known as the Chief Magistrate. A deputy district judge is a solicitor or barrister who sits part-time as

1794-499: The judiciary were recognised and the qualification period was changed so that, as of 21 July 2008, a potential circuit judge must satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a seven-year basis. For criminal cases, circuit judges wear a violet and purple gown with a red sash and short wig and for civil cases exchange the red sash for a lilac one. Circuit judges sitting in civil proceedings no longer wear wigs, wing collars, or bands. Ceremonially, they wear purple robes with

1840-565: The judiciary were recognised and the qualification period was changed so that, as of 21 July 2008, a potential recorder must satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a seven-year basis. The senior circuit judge in a metropolitan area will often be given the honorary title of the recorder of the city – e.g. the Recorder of Manchester. Despite still being circuit judges, these recorders are addressed in court as 'My Lord/Lady' as if they were High Court judges. District judge

1886-414: The judiciary were recognised and the qualification period was changed so that, since 21 July 2008, a potential deputy district judge must satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a five-year basis and so that other types of lawyer, such as chartered legal executives (CILEX Fellows), would be eligible. In August 2010, Ian Ashley-Smith became the first CILEx Fellow to be directly appointed as

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1932-582: The judiciary were recognised and the qualification period was changed so that, as of 21 July 2008, a potential Master or ICC Judge must satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a five-year basis. Circuit judges are referred to as His/Her Honour Judge {surname} e.g. His/Her Honour Judge Smith. If a circuit judge is appointed who has the same surname as another serving circuit judge, he (she) will be referred to as His (Her) Honour Judge {first name} {surname}. e.g. His Honour Judge John Smith. Circuit judges are addressed as "Your Honour", unless sitting in

1978-745: The judiciary. Previously they were second to the Lord Chancellor , but the judicial functions of that office were transferred to the Lord Chief Justice under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 . The Lord Chief Justice is also the President of the Courts and holds, amongst some 400 statutory functions, positions such as the head of the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal . Historically they were also President of

2024-426: The more senior circuit judges are eligible to sit in the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal . Formerly, circuit judges could only be drawn from barristers and solicitors of at least 10 years' standing. However, in 2004 there were calls for increased diversity among the judiciary that were recognised and the qualification period was changed so that, as of 21 July 2008, a potential circuit judge must satisfy

2070-400: Was necessary and, in 2004, calls for increased diversity among the judiciary were recognised and the qualification period was changed so that, as of 21 July 2008, a potential Lord Justice of Appeal must satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 7-year basis. The Lord Justices wear black silk gowns and court coats (or bar jackets) and short wigs during criminal cases and

2116-550: Was not intended as a "different approach to the problem". It contains no references to the reported cases on which it is based. These guidelines do not form part of law but are referred to by judges when awarding damages. A similar publication in Ireland is available free of charge on the internet. In other countries, commercial publications such as "Personal Injury Damages" in Canada perform a similar role. The college also produces

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