How to become A Judge

Whether for oneself, loved ones, or strangers, most people strive to attain justice in diverse matters. A Judge is a nominated or elected official who facilitates the delivery of justice by making impartial decisions based on their legal knowledge, evidence that they rule admissible, testimonies by witnesses, standard procedures, and precedents. Immense is the responsibility they shoulder as their rulings may create irrevocable changes in the lives of stakeholders.

• Magistrate Judge

• District Court Judge

• Superior Court Judge

• Circuit Court Judge

• County Judge

• Circuit Judge

• Court of Appeals Judge

• District Judge

• Presiding Judge

• Trial Judge

• Probate Judge

• Chief Judge

• Senior Judge

• Hanging Judge

• Crown Court Judge

• High Court Judge

• Recorder

• Tribunal Judge

• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

• Preside over legal matters, trials and hearings in criminal and civil courts, according to the scope of the powers vested in them by relevant authorities

• Ensure that court proceedings are fair and safeguard the legal rights of all stakeholders while complying with established rules and procedures

• Decide a case independently or ensure that jurors are aware of the laws relevant to the case and guide the jury on how best to use the evidence to arrive at a well-considered decision

• Research and apply laws, regulations, and legal precedents to settle the case; decide the outcome of a case by reaching a judgment, conclusion or agreement using knowledge at hand

• Review various documents, including motions, claim applications, legal briefs, or records; hear or read the arguments between opposing parties, the defence and the prosecution in criminal law case

• Monitor witness testimonies; determine if the evidence presented is trial-worthy and rule on its admissibility

• Pay attention to details and listen carefully to the evidence; intervene at different points during the proceedings

• Maintain order in court and question inappropriate or unsuitable behaviour; impose formal sanctions in extreme cases

• Consult with other legal professionals such as bailiffs and solicitors regarding various cases, in or out of the court

• Mediate between the two sides present in the court; allow or disallow the opposing sides to challenge each other’s evidence

• Analyse and evaluate factual information and the legal aspects of a case to see if they support the charge, claim or dispute at hand 

• Dismiss a case if there is no sufficient evidence or allow a retrial

• Refer the case to a higher court, if needed

• Settle disputes that arise between prosecutors and defence attorneys

• Interpret the law or establish new rules based on their legal knowledge in the absence of standard procedures for any given case

• Rule and pass sentence or penalty in criminal law cases based on information presented and to be followed by the convicted party

• Decide in criminal cases whether to detain in jail those charged with crimes until their trial or subject them to predetermined conditions of release

• Settle civil lawsuits by awarding relief, including compensation for damages, to those who win the lawsuit

• Write opinions, decisions and rulings, or instructions pertinent to cases, claims or disputes by considering lawyers’ arguments in court or on paper

• Permit the issue of search and arrest warrants

• Supervise the administrative and clerical staff at the court

• Use technological tools, such as electronic databases and software, for pre-trial preparation and case management

Judges work either inside or outside courtrooms. In the courtroom, they preside over trials and hearings, inspect evidence, listen to the testimony of witnesses, and settle disputes between opposing parties. Outside the courtroom, they work in their chambers, typically private offices, where they read legal briefs and research the latest judicial trends.

Since they interact with many diverse people throughout the day, Judges must be patient, empathetic, careful and concise in their communication, particularly since their decisions often mark a turning point in the life of those presented before the court.

Working as a Judge usually demands a typical work schedule of an average of 40 hours per week during the day in courtrooms or private chambers but could extend to more than 50. 

Judges spend time presiding over court proceedings and carrying out other tasks, such as formulating case-related judgments. Judges who preside over family courts may work in the evenings, while criminal arraignments may occur at any hour. The issue of warrants and restraining orders may also occur outside regular business hours. 

The nature of the work demands travelling periodically and staying away from home overnight.

Judges are appointed either through election or nomination. Either process requires candidates to invest considerable time and effort to network or gather political support. Once appointed, Judges work in various types of courts at different levels in a country’s judicial system.

Judges are generally employed by:

• Central Governments

• State Governments

• Local Governments

Professional associations and organisations, such as the ​​International Association of Judges (IAJ), of which national associations of Judges are members, are crucial for Judges interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their line of work. Membership in one or more adds value to your resumé while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The need to remain impartial and make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions which will have a significant effect on the lives of others

• The need to work during the evenings and weekends even though these are not official working hours, particularly during contract negotiations

• Receiving phone calls at odd hours regarding issuing emergency orders, such as search warrants and restraining orders

• The need to travel to distant places and stay overnight

• Fatigue from sitting and working with deep concentration for long hours in courtrooms, offices and law libraries

• Stress from listening to cases and dealing with individuals who may be difficult and confrontational

• The impact on the profession due to conflict settlement among disputing parties through out-of-court mediation

Undertaking a wide variety of legal work would provide an optimal start to improving your professional skills and understanding how you wish to approach your career as a Judge. Most candidates aspiring to be Judges need work experience as practising lawyers, which helps them understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in legal services. 

Hands-on experience working as a barrister or solicitor, taking on different roles and carrying out various duties will allow you to interact with a diverse range of colleagues and clients. You will learn to deal with varied cases, paying strict attention to every detail.

Depending on location, limited-jurisdiction judgeships may be open to those who are not lawyers. That said, legal experience provides better professional opportunities.

Academic programs that potential Judges pursue typically require a period of supervised experience, such as an internship or apprenticeship. Eventually, the nature of your judgeship would determine the length of experience you need.

Reading articles on law and justice by renowned, experienced and accomplished Judges, undertaking voluntary internships in law firms and making regular visits to the court during law school can mould students into their legal careers.

You must typically have a degree in law at a bachelor’s or master’s degree level or higher to become a Judge and the requisite years of legal experience. Law school teaches you a range of subjects, including criminal law, the constitution, public law, jurisprudence, human rights, torts, contracts, civil procedure, ethics, and legal writing. You may also take specialised courses in family law, tax law, or other aspects of the law.

In some locations, you may begin your legal career with an LLB (Bachelor’s of Legislative Law) program, which you may enter upon graduating from high school and qualifying in the relevant aptitude test. Another pathway allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree in disciplines other than law and follow it up with a one-year graduate diploma in law or a professional examination. The core components of the law and legal systems are taught within a single year. This course is informally known as “law conversion”.

In other locations, you can apply to a three-year Juris Doctor (JD) program at an accredited law school only after completing a four-years-long bachelor’s degree program in political science, history, economics, philosophy, literature, government, mathematics or other relevant subjects and passing the appropriate entrance exam. The JD degree is at the level of a master’s degree.

You may choose to acquire higher academic qualifications, such as an LLM degree (Master of Laws), which allows you to specialise in your field of interest. You could also pursue a PhD in law or an LLD (Doctor of Laws), both being extensive academic study programs.

Upon completing law school, you must work towards passing a bar exam. If you do not clear it in the first attempt, you may have the provision to try again.

High school courses in English, public speaking, government, history, economics, business, and mathematics prove helpful. 

Certification demonstrates a Judge’s competence in a skill set, typically through training and work experience as a lawyer and passing examinations. Acquiring certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and may boost your chances of appointment or election as a Judge. It can also increase your chances of advancement and allow you to become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs in law and public service protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Prospective Judges must typically earn a license in their respective countries to practise law. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process, which requires the passage of bar, professional responsibility or other state-mandated and administered examinations. You would also need to fulfil additional eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or completing an internship or apprenticeship to earn your license to practise. Admission to the respective bar is governed by rules established by the jurisdiction’s highest court, and requirements vary by location and jurisdiction. Judges must also maintain their license and good standing with their bar association.

An employment background check can include but is not limited to a Judge’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

Vacancies typically arise due to Judges seeking early retirement. Those already serving as Judges may advance by moving into higher courts that offer greater jurisdictions and powers, provided they are equipped with the requisite qualifications and experience. Occasionally, a Judge may rise to the role of Supreme Court Justice.

Some Judges may continue with law practice or act as legal educators while serving in court. You may also transition into teaching roles if you opt to retire early. Although such opportunities may not be plentiful, you may find work with law firms or conflict resolution services in the private sector.

Legal qualifications, experience as practising lawyers, and the various skills you imbibe during law school enhance your prospects of being nominated or elected as a Judge.

Once nominated or elected, Judges may receive judicial education and training on the job for a few weeks. You may also be required to pursue continuing education (CE) while serving on the bench.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help a Judge build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

CPD embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in legal and public services. Reflective learning, interaction with peer groups, comprehensive inclusion, workshops, and professional publications educate, influence, support, and foster lifelong enlightenment in all career-grade Judges. They must stay up-to-date with the latest legal policies and have sufficient knowledge in psychology.

Knowledge Needed By Judges

Expertise in legal advice, civil litigation, international law, defence counsel and counsel, pre-trial motions, court proceedings, criminal cases, bankruptcy, and legal documents are valuable for Judges. It is also helpful for them to have knowledge in other areas, including government, public safety & security, personnel & human resources, communications & media, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. They must also keep up to date with the growing use of technology in the court and the legal field.

Skills Needed By Judges

Critical, logical thinking and impartial reasoning and decision-making are vital to a successful career as a Judge who delivers sound judgement. Excellent memory, top-notch listening and reading skills, attention to detail, and writing clearly and precisely are imperative. No matter what the pressures of a case may be, a Judge must be assertive and maintain confidentiality while meeting all deadlines.

Requirements, Process & Term of Appointment

The education and experience that prospective Judges need, how they are appointed, and the term that they serve, among various other aspects, are typically determined by the country, jurisdiction, and the level of court that they serve in. Typically, voluntary Judges are exempt from legal experience while professional Judges require it. Candidates may be nominated by the head of state or be elected. Some serve a fixed renewable term, while others have no fixed term, ​​serving until their death, retirement, or conviction. Some may be elected during elections to serve a specific term.

Judges’ Duties

The duties that Judges discharge depend on the judicial system of the country they serve in and their jurisdictions and powers. They could range from having jurisdiction over each case in the system to ruling only on appeal in matters such as workers’ compensation or health & safety regulations. Typically, appellate court Judges are authorised to overrule the decisions of other trial Judges in case of legal errors or contradictions in legal precedents. Magistrates and municipal court Judges most often deal with pre-trial hearings, misdemeanours, and small-claims cases.

An evidence camera helps instantaneously convert paper documents or physical exhibits into electronic images, which can be displayed on the courtroom’s monitors and enlarged or reduced as needed. 

A Judge works toward justice every day while inspiring others to do the same. It is almost as if Judges have an inner compass of what is right and wrong when they tackle diverse aspects of society, whether minor traffic offences by individuals or significant matters involving corporate rights.

Clear and precise communication is key to your work. On the one hand, you must explain matters in a layperson’s language so that all stakeholders in a hearing, including litigants, witnesses, and jurors, understand the judicial processes and orders and are well-prepared for them. On the other hand, you must also learn to listen better to evaluate a case and all its aspects thoroughly.