Report comment

Court fees go to the Treasury which is overspending.

More to the point is the income and personal demographics of lawyers seeking a judicial appointment.

Time was when all such earned more in practice than on appointment. Indeed applicants were discouraged from applying on financial grounds.

These days those, whether from the junior bar or from my old profession, who practice in crime, family or PI will - unless very senior/old - be earning less especially if they aspire to the district bench where 90% of civil work gets done.

Solicitors will have a more difficult road to follow due to the corporate nature of their practices. A six month availability window may be too narrow, especially if no placement is immediately provided on a successful application. There partners may threaten to "sack" them when they've nowhere to go.

The rest may find little to attract them in terms of doing the job. The LCJ is dead right. However polite his welcome to Ms Truss - see thread elsewhere - it followed a ringing speech of support for the judges from her - which she funked.

Looking at the letter I think the following will happen over time:

I'm ignoring robots.

Jurisdictions will be significantly adjusted downward - for the record I'm not opposed to this,

The old county court registrar/stipe will return at a lower salary to DJJ - but all will sit as deputy DJs, The existing range of qualications may be extended to include those with appropriate training or experience.

Fewer DJJ will be needed - but all will sit as Recorders,

Fewer CJJ will be needed outside specialisms and lead roles - some will sit as deputy HCJ.

There will be salary increments for specialist tickets - care, serious sex crime, leading roles etc while held.

There will be a clear judicial career path by promotion. Possibly an income pay scale based on service.

Some of this is already foreshadowed in the robotics program.

I'm too old to know if it's a good thing.