Judging - Stepping out of the shadows
In October 2009, the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC) launched the Judicial Shadowing Scheme.
Supported by the Lord Chief Justice’s Office, the Bar Council, the Law Society, the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service and NIJAC, the scheme gives barristers, solicitors, medical professionals and land valuation experts an unique opportunity to spend a day in a court or tribunal of their choice and go behind the bench.
Legal and other professionals are only required to have two years’ experience to apply.
Speaking to The Writ, a few local practitioners gave their views on their shadowing experience.
Peter Thompson (Thompson Mitchell Solicitors) who shadowed Master Wells (Office of Care and Protection) states that the experience was professionally helpful ‘I observed solicitors and barristers from the judge’s perspective and gained a better understanding of what lawyers should be doing to prepare and present their case to the Master’.
This was a view echoed by David McKinney, a local land valuation expert with James A McKinney Sons, Ballymena, who used the opportunity to shadow Mr Michael Curry, Member of the Lands Tribunal of Northern Ireland.
Peter would have no hesitation in recommending the scheme to others ‘not only for potential applicants for a judicial appointment but also for any lawyer to gain an insight into a judge's perspective’..
Prior to participating in the scheme, David had only limited dealings with the Lands Tribunal and, as a land valuation expert, was keen to get an insight into the mechanics of the Tribunal and how it handled its business.
David was full of praise for the experience and commented that the most useful aspect of the shadowing day was being able to ‘…find out how the process of mentions generally brings the parties to agreement of their own accord without having to proceed to a costly hearing.’
Another local solicitor, who shadowed District Judge McCourt in the Magistrates' Court was keen to praise the helpful attitude of the judge who was very willing to discuss both his role and how he conducted the business of the court.
The solicitor commented that ‘getting behind the scenes, being able to talk openly and honestly with the judge about his work and its challenges, was the most beneficial aspect of the day…and something that could not have been gained by merely sitting in the Magistrates' Court.’
Participants have spoken of how the scheme gives unique access to judicial office holders, to see what goes on behind the scenes, case management and being able to see how fellow solicitors and barristers perform from a different perspective.
Nine months after its launch, the scheme is proving popular with solicitors throughout Northern Ireland.
Adeline Frew (NIJAC, Head of Diversity and Communications) says ‘
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To date 24 people have applied and the majority have been solicitors. The overwhelming reason given for applying has been to gain inside experience of the court or tribunal. We welcome all requests and have been very pleased with the positive feedback received.
You can be assured that your shadowing day will be handled discreetly and you can shadow in:
· Any Court;
· Coroners’ Service;
· Appeal Tribunals;
· Care Tribunal;
· Lands Tribunal;
· Planning Appeals Commission;
· Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal (IT/FET);
· Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT);
· Social Security and Child Support Commissioners;
· Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDT); and the
· Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal (NIVT).
If you are interested in gaining experience that will contribute to your personal development, acquiring an insight into a new or less familiar field, in judicial office as a career, or you are just simply curious about life on the bench, then please visit NIJAC's website for further information on the Judicial Shadowing Scheme: https://www.nijac.org/JudicialShadowing/default.htm
Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone directly about the scheme, please telephone NIJAC's Diversity and Communications Team on 02890 728 702.
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