Forthcoming Opportunities

NIJAC is anticipating the following opportunities will be advertised during April 2023 - May 2024. Further information can be found by clicking on the judicial office above.

All NIJAC schemes automatically maintain a reserve list for 12 months, from the anticipated date of first appointment, to accommodate any unforeseen vacancies.

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Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal Employment Judges x6 (Fee Paid)

Anticipated Launch: September/October 2023

The Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal (ITFET), hear employment disputes and resolve employment matters. Industrial Tribunals are independent judicial bodies in Northern Ireland that hear and determine claims to do with employment matters. These include a range of claims relating to unfair dismissal, breach of contract, wages and other payments as well as discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, part time working and equal pay. The Fair Employment Tribunal is an independent judicial body in Northern Ireland that hears and determines complaints of discrimination on the grounds of religious belief or political opinion.

An Employment Judge’s duties are wide-ranging but overall the core duties are to conduct hearings and write judgments. For instance, during a final hearing you will be managing the hearing, listening to the evidence and reaching a decision with your panel members. Alternatively you may be dealing with preliminary hearings which broadly fall into two categories:

- The first category are conducted like a final hearing but usually by a Judge sitting alone. The purpose of these hearings to address preliminary matters/applications relating to the proceedings which often impinge on the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

- The second category are automatically listed after a claim and response form are received. The purpose of this type of preliminary hearing is to ensure that a case is properly prepared for hearing.

Other tasks include issuing judgements and giving directions which do not require a hearing, giving judicial directions to administrative staff on practice and procedure in respect of tribunals and in relation to the progress of a claim.

For further information please visit: Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal Northern Ireland (employmenttribunalsni.co.uk)

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County Court Judge x3

Anticipated Launch: December 2023

The formal description of the work of the County Court refers to three broad categories:

- Criminal;

- Family; and

- Civil.

The variety and richness of the role of the County Court Judge is difficult to capture.

Most County Court Judges serve on a range of statutory committees including the County Court, the Crown Court and the Family Proceedings Rules Committee. In addition there are numerous other committees at tier level and in the Province.

County Court Judges can also be appointed as Parole Commissioners, to the Judicial Studies Board and the NI Judicial Appointments Commission. Several County Court Judges are members of the Children Order Advisory Committee. County Court Judges will also be expected (after appropriate training) to undertake extradition, inquest and HIA Redress Board cases.

For further information please visit: The Royal Courts of Justice | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)

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Appeal Tribunals Legal Member (Fee Paid)

Anticipated Launch: January / February 2024

The Appeal Tribunals are independent judicial bodies responsible for adjudicating on appeals under Article 13 of the Social Security (NI) Order 1998 and Article 13 of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits NI) Order 1997. The judicial functions of the Appeal Tribunal are overseen by the President.

The main function of fee paid legal members is to hear and determine appeals. The Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 requires every appeal tribunal to include a legally qualified panel member, either sitting alone or with one or two other panel members. Fee paid legal panel members will generally be the sole member of the tribunal in Social Security appeals which raise no medical or disability questions. In child support appeals the legal member normally sits with a financially qualified member. They will sit with other panel members where an appeal requires expertise in medicine, finance or disability. In a two or three person tribunal, a legally qualified panel member will be nominated by the President as chairman of the tribunal.

For further information please visit: The Appeals Service | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)

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Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel Lay Adjudicators x2 (Fee Paid)

Anticipated Launch: April 2024

CICAP was established under the provisions of the Criminal Injuries Compensation (NI) Order 2002. Its purpose is to support the victims of violent crime by determining promptly, impartially, fairly and independently, appeals against review decisions made by Compensation Services, Northern Ireland in accordance with the Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme(s) of 2002 and 2009, and by virtue of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

A lay adjudicator will sit on a panel consisting of three people – a legally qualified Chairman, a medical member and a lay member. The purpose is to support the victims of violent crime by determining promptly, impartially, fairly and independently appeals against review decisions made by the Northern Ireland Compensation Services in accordance with the Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme(s) (2002 & 2009) and by virtue of Article 6 of ECHR.

For further information please visit: Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel Northern Ireland | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)

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Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal Ordinary Member x3 (Fee Paid)

Anticipated Launch: February/March 2024

The Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal (NIVT) is an independent judicial body that hears and determines appeals including appeals against capital values for property in Northern Ireland upon which domestic rates bills are based. NIVT also hears appeals relating to rates allowances for premises adapted for persons with a disability and lone pensioner rate relief and claims for rates relief under the Rate Relief Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017.

The Ordinary Member is required to assist in the conduct of NIVT hearings including by providing an independent and informed view during the hearing and in the subsequent decision-making process. The main activities of an Ordinary Member are to:

Become familiar with case papers, which will include the appellant’s and respondent’s documentary evidence and submissions;
Participate in any pre-hearing discussions with other NIVT panel members;
Participate in hearings in such a manner that all parties are able to have their respective cases presented and considered as fully and fairly as possible;
Help promote in each case the most expeditious dispatch of NIVT business compatible with the interests of justice;
Maintain the authority and dignity of the NIVT;
Participate fully in the NIVT decision-making process and in giving clear and concise reasons for any decisions;
Determine appeals in such a way as to avoid any form of discrimination in accordance with section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

For further information please visit: Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)

We also suggest you consider the Judicial Shadowing Scheme as a means of researching the legal, medical and valuer offices. Visit the Judicial Shadowing Scheme page of our website for more information.