Legal personnel - Types of judges - paper 1 Flashcards
What are the different types of judges
- District judge
-Recorder
-Circuit judge
-High court judge
-Lord justices of appeal
-Justices of the supreme court
What cases do district judges handle
-Civil and criminal in the lowest courts
How do you become a district judge
-Must be qualified as a solicitor or barrister
-At least 5 years experience
-Been a deputy district judge
Who can become a recorder
-Part time position of solicitors or barristers with at least 7 years experience
What cases do recorders handle
-More complex cases in the county court
-Less serious cases in the crown court
What cases do circuit judges hear
-Wide range in the county court e.g. property and family law
-Some crown court cases
How do you become a circuit judge
-Must have been a solicitor or barrister with at least 7 years experience
-Have served as a district judge or recorder previously
What cases do high court judges handle
-Cases in one of 3 divisions of the high court: KBD, Chancery division, family division
What cases do KBD judges (HC) handle
-High value contract and tort cases
-Serious criminal cases in crown court
What cases do chancery division judges (HC) hear
-High value claims about business disputes and financial affairs
What cases do family division judges (HC) hear
-Claims about divorce, distribution of assets and child welfare issues
Other responsibilities of a high court judge
-Assist lord justices of appeal on cases relating to their division
How do you become a high court judge
-Barrister or solicitor for 7 years, or have been a circuit judge for 2 years
What cases do lord justices of appeal hear
-Either criminal or civil appeals from crown court to divisions of the high court.
How do you become a lord justice of appeal
-Barrister or solicitor for 7 years or be an existing high court judge
