Ready to step up to the County Court
On 9 September 2010 NIJAC intends to advertise for a minimum of two County Court Judges, the closing date for applications will be 10 October 2010.
Judge Burgess (the Recorder of Belfast) says of judicial work ‘ … it will always be fundamentally a people business … the intellectual challenge and stimulation are rewarding’.
The work of a County Court Judge falls into three broad categories: criminal, civil and family. Typical county court cases involve the recovery of debts, trespass, negligence, adoptions, undefended divorces, applications for the grant of intoxicating liquor licences, appeals from the magistrates’ courts and, of course, Crown court cases.
Four County Courts have been designated as Family Care Centres and judges also have to deal with certain applications or appeals relating to the care or welfare of a child or young person. The work is varied, stimulating and challenging.
Judge Burgess adds ‘… there is nothing as sobering but at the same time rewarding as discharging, to the best of your ability, responsibilities which you know have a significant impact on the present and future lives of others, victims and defendants, many being vulnerable human beings …’.
You can find out more about the role of the County Court Judge by accessing: www.nijac.org/appointments/forthcomingvacancies. This link will take you to information such as profiles of serving County Court judges, the job description, terms and conditions and an article on the nature of the role.
The anticipated timeline is:
Advertising 9 September 2010
Closing date 1 October 2010
Assessment and Selection 1st week November 2010
Appointment February 2011
The new competition will consist of two stages: shortlisting and an assessment event.
Shortlisting will be based on completed application forms and consultee comments. The basis for the application form will be the Judicial Selection Framework which includes five key areas: knowledge, analysis and decision making, leadership and management, communication, and understanding people and society.
Applicants will only be required to nominate three consultees, two must be legally qualified – one at a senior level.
Consultees are asked to give an insight, which may not otherwise be available to the Commission, into an applicant’s suitability for judicial office; they provide supplementary evidence and their comments are not marked.
We recommend applicants when completing their application form and preparing for interview to:
- take time to prepare;
- think themselves into the role;
- decide which areas of their knowledge, skills and experience are the most relevant to the role; and
- evidence what done, how done and the result.
It is not enough for applicants to state that they have a law degree and have been practising for x number of years – the judicial appointments process is evidence-based, and applicants must provide that evidence drawn upon their own knowledge, skills and experience.
Those who are shortlisted will be invited to an assessment event lasting approximately 3 hours.
This will consist of:
- applicants playing the role of a County Court Judge hearing a mixed list
- consideration of a case study on a civil matter
- consideration of a judgement in a criminal case.
During the final interview stage applicants will be asked questions on the civil case study, on the issues and the judgement in the criminal case and other areas of the Judicial Selection Framework.
For more information about how NIJAC selects and the new competition, please visit our website: www.nijac.org.
