Almost all judges in England and Wales believe that their working conditions have worsened over the past five years, the first official survey of judicial attitudes has revealed. Of judges who had been in post more than five years, 86% said that conditions had deteriorated.

The survey attracted responses from 90% of salaried judges.  

Salaries and pensions were a source of discontent, with 75% of respondents saying they had suffered a loss in net earnings over the past five years. Almost half of district, circuit and employment judges said they would pursue earning additional income through out of court work if this option existed.

Almost a third of judges said they would consider leaving the judiciary early in the next five years; 83% said that higher pay would be the key factor to change their mind.