Judicial appointments

We work with candidates for judicial appointment across all levels. We understand that it can be a daunting process often involving many levels of selection including any combination of a paper sift, online qualifying tests, a roleplay, situational questioning and an interview depending on the role. It is also a competitive process and so candidates need to stand out.

How can we help?

Before you apply

We provide advice at all stages of the selection process and even before the application process begins by helping you to consider what a future application might look like, what experience you already have to draw upon, what transferable skills you possess and whether there could be some gaps you would want to fill in advance of making an application. We help you understand the competencies or qualities that the selection panel are looking for and work with you to identify your own best examples to evidence these competencies and help you stand out.

Fees for judicial applications are based on hourly rates which vary depending on the role:

  • DDJ, DJ tribunal roles and C Panel applications – £350 + VAT per hour
  • CJ, recorder and B Panel applications – £375 + VAT per hour
  • DHCJ, HCJ, CA and A Panel applications – £400 + VAT per hour

Preparing your application

A typical package of support would include pre-reading a draft application followed by a meeting, either in person or by Zoom, to go through detailed feedback on the first draft and discuss your potential selection of independent assessors. Following that meeting you would work on a second draft which we would again review and then provide final feedback by email. This might typically take about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

If you have applied before and just want us to review a form once and provide feedback by email or telephone this might take around 1 to 1.5 hours.

Preparing for your panel interview / selection day

We offer a two-hour selection day / interview preparation session with two of our coaches to closely replicate the actual selection day experience. The session will include help and advice on how to approach the roleplay or situational questioning exercises as appropriate, as well as a mock panel interview. We will review your application form in advance of the session to inform our selection of questions for your mock interview. During the session we will provide detailed robust feedback and offer tools and techniques on how to improve.

The fee for an interview panel / selection day preparation session is

  • £1,100 + VAT for DDJ, DJ, tribunal role, CJ and recorder
  • £1,300 + VAT for DHCJ, HCJ and above

For those who also want a further top-up session just before their interview date we can offer a one-hour top-up session with just one coach. The fee for a top-up session is £375 / hour + VAT (for DDJ, DJ, Tribunal role, CJ and Recorder) and £400 / hour + VAT for DHCJ/HCJ or above.

What our clients say

I wanted to let you know that I have managed to get myself appointed. I’m very excited… Thanks for all your invaluable help. No doubt I’ll be back when I want to go for the Court of Appeal!
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:00:55+00:00
I wanted to let you know that I have managed to get myself appointed. I’m very excited… Thanks for all your invaluable help. No doubt I’ll be back when I want to go for the Court of Appeal!
To my great surprise I learned today that I have been recommended for appointment! I am so grateful to you for all your invaluable help. Thank you so much.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:06:31+00:00
To my great surprise I learned today that I have been recommended for appointment! I am so grateful to you for all your invaluable help. Thank you so much.
My appointment as a Circuit Judge was announced last Friday. Once again, many thanks for your assistance. While I know that it was hugely helpful in securing the role I have to confess that I shall never entirely understand the JAC process as to what does and what does not impress. Your interview practice was however extremely helpful.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:01:39+00:00
My appointment as a Circuit Judge was announced last Friday. Once again, many thanks for your assistance. While I know that it was hugely helpful in securing the role I have to confess that I shall never entirely understand the JAC process as to what does and what does not impress. Your interview practice was however extremely helpful.
I just wanted to let you know that your wonderful coaching worked! I have been appointed a Deputy District Judge. I don't believe I would have been successful without you. In fact your coaching was so good I was also appointed to the Tribunal role I went for as part of the joint entry test, but I had to turn that down as I did not have enough days to do them both.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:02:26+00:00
I just wanted to let you know that your wonderful coaching worked! I have been appointed a Deputy District Judge. I don't believe I would have been successful without you. In fact your coaching was so good I was also appointed to the Tribunal role I went for as part of the joint entry test, but I had to turn that down as I did not have enough days to do them both.
I have been appointed a full-time judge. I am convinced that the assistance and guidance from yourselves last year as I prepared for my interview was the help that I needed to help me get over the line. Very much appreciated.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:03:04+00:00
I have been appointed a full-time judge. I am convinced that the assistance and guidance from yourselves last year as I prepared for my interview was the help that I needed to help me get over the line. Very much appreciated.
I would thoroughly recommend you to anyone thinking of applying for a judicial role and wanted to thank you wholeheartedly for your warmth, understanding and generosity.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:03:41+00:00
I would thoroughly recommend you to anyone thinking of applying for a judicial role and wanted to thank you wholeheartedly for your warmth, understanding and generosity.
Just a brief update from me, I am pleased to say that I was appointed a Deputy District Judge. Thank you both very much for your support and guidance and I look forward to working with you on my next application, in due course.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:04:28+00:00
Just a brief update from me, I am pleased to say that I was appointed a Deputy District Judge. Thank you both very much for your support and guidance and I look forward to working with you on my next application, in due course.
The preparation you provided really helped - I don't think I could have made it through the interview intact without your assistance!
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:05:02+00:00
The preparation you provided really helped - I don't think I could have made it through the interview intact without your assistance!
Many thanks for all your help which meant I was as well prepared as I could be.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:05:30+00:00
Many thanks for all your help which meant I was as well prepared as I could be.
You will be pleased to know that I was successful. Thank you again. I found the advice you gave to be very helpful in getting me through the interview process.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:06:00+00:00
You will be pleased to know that I was successful. Thank you again. I found the advice you gave to be very helpful in getting me through the interview process.
I have heard of a number of people who were seen as certainties who have not succeeded and I am sure that in many cases it will have been because they did not have the kind of guidance you gave me on the application form, interview, choice of referees etc. etc. etc. So thanks again for all your help and support; although we will never know for sure I think it may well have been critical to the outcome.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-11-17T17:09:28+00:00
I have heard of a number of people who were seen as certainties who have not succeeded and I am sure that in many cases it will have been because they did not have the kind of guidance you gave me on the application form, interview, choice of referees etc. etc. etc. So thanks again for all your help and support; although we will never know for sure I think it may well have been critical to the outcome.
I found my mock interview with you both very informative and exceptionally useful.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-11-17T17:09:58+00:00
I found my mock interview with you both very informative and exceptionally useful.
Just a quick line to let you know that I have been recommended for immediate appointment as a Judge of the First-tier Tribunal.

I am really pleased and so grateful for all your advice and guidance. I wouldn’t have been shortlisted without your initial help and the interview prep session really helped to keep me calm on the day.

FTT candidate, appointed January 2024

Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2024-04-18T21:54:24+00:00

FTT candidate, appointed January 2024

Just a quick line to let you know that I have been recommended for immediate appointment as a Judge of the First-tier Tribunal. I am really pleased and so grateful for all your advice and guidance. I wouldn’t have been shortlisted without your initial help and the interview prep session really helped to keep me calm on the day.
So to my surprise they have decided to appoint me!

Can I thank you both for the interview training you gave me. I think training for this type of interview is essential as it is so foreign to how we work at the Bar. You really helped me focus for the interview.

CJ candidate, appointed September 2023

Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2024-04-18T21:58:33+00:00

CJ candidate, appointed September 2023

So to my surprise they have decided to appoint me! Can I thank you both for the interview training you gave me. I think training for this type of interview is essential as it is so foreign to how we work at the Bar. You really helped me focus for the interview.
Thank you both. I couldn’t have done it without you. If I can’t send you anything then, if we ever meet face to face and circumstances allow, the drinks will certainly be on me!

CJ candidate, appointed July 2023

Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2024-04-18T22:00:36+00:00

CJ candidate, appointed July 2023

Thank you both. I couldn’t have done it without you. If I can’t send you anything then, if we ever meet face to face and circumstances allow, the drinks will certainly be on me!
I received a letter of appointment today and they will announce some of the 9(4) appointments including me tomorrow. Thank you for your help with the pre interview session. I will be in touch again when I decide to have a go at the next level!

DHCJ candidate, appointed November 2023

Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2024-04-18T22:01:50+00:00

DHCJ candidate, appointed November 2023

I received a letter of appointment today and they will announce some of the 9(4) appointments including me tomorrow. Thank you for your help with the pre interview session. I will be in touch again when I decide to have a go at the next level!
You may recall providing me with excellent training for the then forthcoming high court selection day. I am very pleased to inform you that I was successful in my application and begin my new career as a High Court Judge tomorrow (1 February). My thanks to you for your guidance. It gave me confidence and I have no doubt contributed greatly to my success.

HCJ candidate, appointed February 2024

Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2024-04-18T22:03:14+00:00

HCJ candidate, appointed February 2024

You may recall providing me with excellent training for the then forthcoming high court selection day. I am very pleased to inform you that I was successful in my application and begin my new career as a High Court Judge tomorrow (1 February). My thanks to you for your guidance. It gave me confidence and I have no doubt contributed greatly to my success.
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Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms