Myth Buster Quiz

We have added this page to try and dispel some of the misconceptions around the judicial appointments process and judicial office.

Our research revealed that the legal profession and members of the public held certain beliefs and misunderstandings about us, the appointments process and judicial office.

We have presented a list of commonly heard myths below.

By clicking on the myth, you will reveal the reality. We hope you enjoy this feature and that it encourages you to learn more about us, the appointments process and the various different judicial aspects of life in office.

  • Myth:- The Northern Ireland Judiciary is mostly male.

    Reality: As at 1 August 2011, the overall gender breakdown of the Northern Ireland Judiciary was fairly balanced. Out of a total of 679 judicial office holders, there are 292 women (43%).

    "Pie Chart illustrating Gender breakdown"And our research has found that whilst more men than women are likely to apply for legal judicial office (23% and 13% respectively) proportionately, women are more successful with their application (48% men and 59% women).

    Whilst there are no female judges currently in the High Court (however, the High Court only accounts for 10 judicial posts out of a total of 67), 5 out of 17 County Court Judges are women.  

    Furthermore, women constitute approximately 43% of tribunal membership, and at lay magistrate level 54% are women."

  • Myth:- Surely you don't appoint many judges each year?

    Reality: We do not simply appoint "judges". The term "judicial office holder" encompasses a wide range of appointments.

    Our core business is running appointment schemes for judicial office for legal, professional and lay members.

    There were a total of 679 judicial officers as at 1 August 2011.

    Since our inception in 2005*, we have recommended 234 people across 43 recruitment campaigns: 88 legally qualified, 24 medically qualified and 122 other members for appointment to judicial office.

    We have also overseen 507 re-appointments to judicial office during this time.

    You can view a list of our appointments here.

    *As at 1 August 2011.

  • Myth:- Judicial appointments is more about who you know and not what you know.

    Reality: Absolutely not.

    Our research with the profession revealed that two-thirds out of the 1,087 respondents (judicial officers, barristers and solicitors) had no previous links with the legal profession before entering it, with only 11% stating that they had a parent linked to it.

    On closer inspection, it was revealed that a higher proportion of women than men (69% and 63% respectively) had no such links and the proportion of those from a Protestant and Catholic community backgrounds was almost equal i.e. 66% Protestant and 65% of Catholic respondents had no previous links or involvement with the legal profession.

  • Myth:- You need a legal qualification to apply for judicial office.

    Reality: A legal qualification is mandatory for posts in the higher court tiers but you do not need to be a legal professional (i.e. solicitor or a barrister) to become a judicial officer.

    There are many judicial posts in Northern Ireland which are held by people from different professions or who have no particular professional background.

    "Pie Chart illustrating Professional Background of Judicial Post Holders"

    Most non-legal posts are fee-paid and are found within the magistrates' courts and tribunals.

  • Myth:- All judicial post holders wear court dress

    Reality: No. This is not the case.

    While those serving in courts tend to wear formal court dress, tribunal proceedings tend to be more informal.

    Presidents, Chairmen and members (ordinary and non-legal professionals) do not wear wigs and gowns. In addition, lay magistrates (about 30% of judicial appointments) also do not wear formal court dress.

  • Myth:- Community background influences the judicial appointments process.

    Reality: NIJAC has a statutory duty to engage in a programme of action to secure, so far as it is reasonably practicable to do so, that appointments to listed judicial offices are such that those holding such offices are reflective of the community in Northern Ireland.

    As at 1 August 2011, 53% of judicial officers declared a Protestant community background, 41% declared a Catholic community background and 6% stated that they were from neither background.

    This is reasonably reflective of Northern Irish society.

    Research findings undertaken by NISRA (PDF 3.5 MB) revealed that respondents felt that the issue of community background was irrelevant to the judicial appointments process.

  • Myth:- You shouldn't apply for judicial office until you are older.

    Reality: Subject to the statutory retirement age for judicial office there is no age limit for appointment.

    The statutory retirement age is 70 years and the Lord Chancellor/Departments expect a reasonable period of service before retirement.

  • Myth:- Judicial office is something to consider only at the end of my career.

    Reality: Senior judicial posts that require a legal background ask for a minimum number of years standing; currently 5, 7 or 10 years depending upon the position.

    However 54% of judicial post holders are aged 55 and under.

    "Pie Chart illustrating Age Profile of Judicial Post Holders"

  • Myth:- If I apply for judicial office - everyone will get to know about it.

    Reality - All personal information (including the identity of applicants) is kept in the strictest confidence and is subject to the requirements of data protection law.

    Interview times are also arranged to ensure that applicants do not meet in waiting areas etc.

  • Myth:- There is no one to ask if I have a query on a judicial vacancy.

    Reality - A member of our staff is nominated to support potential applicants and deal with any queries about the application process for each recruitment scheme. Her/his contact details will be published in the documentation for each scheme.

    Where possible, a current judicial post holder (who holds the same office as the advertised vacancy) will also make himself/herself available to speak to applicants wishing to learn more about the vacant role.

    If you have a general enquiry, you can contact any member of our staff who will endeavour to answer your question. All enquiries are dealt with in the strictest confidence.

  • Myth:- Taking up a judicial post is too much of a career gamble.

    Reality - Going from being a solicitor, barrister or other non-legal based profession to a full- time judicial role is a big step but there are measures and alternatives you can take to see if a judicial career is for you.

    Some of the judicial office holders profiled have highlighted that they first secured a fee-paid role before applying for a full-time judicial post. Fee-paid positions make up 88% of the total judicial complement.

    Also the Judicial Shadowing Scheme is designed to provide a unique opportunity for lawyers, doctors and land valuers to gain an insight into judicial office by shadowing a typical working day with a serving member of the judiciary.

  • Myth:- The application process is time consuming and does not reflect the judicial role.

    Reality: The process of completing an application form for any job is generally time consuming.

    However, over the last year or so, we have made great efforts to streamline the application process, simplify documentation and introduce new assessment tools such as interviews, role plays, case study exercises and written scenarios - all of which add to an applicant's opportunity to display their knowledge and skill.

    "Commissioners and staff rehearsing a role play assessment"
    (Commissioners and staff rehearsing a role play assessment)

    At the end of each recruitment scheme, we write out to people who applied and did not apply for judicial office, seeking their opinions on the process.

    This feedback is then directly used to improve the application process for everyone.