*/
A judge has launched legal action against the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) over its system for shortlisting potential judges.
David Page, an immigration judge on the western circuit, was one of 850 lawyers who applied last year to become a deputy district judge in magistrates’ courts for 20 days a year. However, he failed to make it through to the second round of the application procedure, a selection day, after sitting “two 40-minute back-to-back speed writing exams on magistrates’ general knowledge”.
All 850 applicants sat the test, with most of them being put up in hotels overnight. Page, who would not have received any extra pay for the role, said: “I am not complaining that I didn’t get the job. I’m seeking a declaration that the method they used was inherently unfair and incapable of identifying the best candidates. The test was simple but there was not enough time to write the answers. The Treasury Solicitor told me they don’t consider anything but the test results.”
Page, who has been a part-time judge since 1999 and sat full-time since 2002, said: “I have 23 years’ relevant experience, but with this test they could get the least experienced people.” A JAC spokesman said: “We can’t comment on individual cases.”
David Page, an immigration judge on the western circuit, was one of 850 lawyers who applied last year to become a deputy district judge in magistrates’ courts for 20 days a year. However, he failed to make it through to the second round of the application procedure, a selection day, after sitting “two 40-minute back-to-back speed writing exams on magistrates’ general knowledge”.
All 850 applicants sat the test, with most of them being put up in hotels overnight. Page, who would not have received any extra pay for the role, said: “I am not complaining that I didn’t get the job. I’m seeking a declaration that the method they used was inherently unfair and incapable of identifying the best candidates. The test was simple but there was not enough time to write the answers. The Treasury Solicitor told me they don’t consider anything but the test results.”
Page, who has been a part-time judge since 1999 and sat full-time since 2002, said: “I have 23 years’ relevant experience, but with this test they could get the least experienced people.” A JAC spokesman said: “We can’t comment on individual cases.”
A judge has launched legal action against the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) over its system for shortlisting potential judges.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
The long-running fee-paid judicial pensions saga continues. The current cut-off date for giving notice of election to join FPJPS is 31 March 2024, and that date now gives rise to a serious problem, warns HH John Platt