The Law Society encourages all solicitor members interested in a judicial career to sign up to the Law Society’s Solicitor Judges Network. The Network supports solicitors who are interested in a judicial career and will keep individuals updated about specialised events and training, local networking opportunities, regular e-newsletters/updates and access to a wider community of solicitor judges and aspiring judges. You can complete a form on our Solicitor Judges page to register to the Network.
The Law Society also has lots of information about the Pre-Application Judicial Education Programme (PAJE) which launched in 2019. This programme helps lawyers from under-represented groups feel more confident about applying for and preparing for judicial roles. There’s a variety of online resources including 10 videos (on things like skills; decision-making; judicial ethics; resilience and equality and diversity) and 4 podcasts with further information on appointments, judicial conduct, roles/structure and the rule of law and separation of power. Once you have watched all the videos, you can apply to join a discussion group course led by a judge though to flag, the latest application window for this closed on 12 February- there will be other opportunities, however.
We also have case studies from PAJE attendees (here and here) and some advice from the course facilitators: Reflecting and serving society as a judge – Carol Taylor; Human justice: practical learning as a tribunal judge – Paul Shaerf ; Q&A with District Tribunal Judges Marianne Bennett and Rhiannon Price.
There is an in-person event in Manchester on Wednesday 13 March, 6pm – 8.30pm on Empowering solicitors on the road to the judiciary Manchester | The Law Society It is free to attend but you must register your place. Please note the booking page will close on 10 March 2024. It is hoped other regional events will be arranged.