Draft - Just missed the chance to become a SEND judge

[senmerrygoround]

The closing date's just been and gone. Now you know what it takes to become a SEND judge

jac.judiciary.gov.uk/selection-process/2491.htm

• drat - not draft

'• A salaried judicial office holder cannot practise as a barrister or solicitor or be indirectly concerned in any such practice. The Lord Chancellor regards a judicial office as a lifetime appointment and any offer of appointment is therefore made on the understanding that the appointee will not return to practice.'

What the frig does this mean?

It is all to do with the supposed independence of the judiciary - you have life time tenure to stop political interference. It is not just a stage in your career etc etc

Of course, the low kudos to Tribunals means you get a mixed bunch and many retirees

The lifetime appointment part is worrying - are they responsible to anyone, are there any service standards? What if a particular judge is absolutely incompetent or biased? Are they bulletproof?

This is for a salaried (i.e. employed) judge and is a full time role or one shared by two people doing 50% each. Most of the tribunal judges are fee paid, i.e. part time and self-employed, and can have other employment.

There is a judicial complaints process and even a Judicial Conduct Investigations Office - judicialconduct.judiciary.gov.uk/. However, as there are one or two notoriously incompetent judges in the tribunal I'm guessing it's not a very effective process.

yup. It would appear so.

There are a few notorious judges, but one in particular that has been the subject of many many complaints and yet she is protected it appears.

First name beginning with A?