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It would be interesting to know what proportion of the 140000 solicitors with PCs who are qualified by admission are really interested in a judicial appointment. I guess that it wouldn’t be difficult to find out. My gut reaction is that the number would be quite small. The reasons for lack of interest might be equally interesting.

Similarly it wouldn’t be difficult to find out the good and bad experiences of those who have applied. My feeling is that the present system is too bureaucratic and systems based. I think some simplification is possible.


Again a gut reaction. The main problem will an inability to find or a prohibition against finding the time to train or sit. Making prohibition a professional offence - as I’ve previously suggested - would solve half the problem.

Then there is expectation. There is no dishonour in being a first tier judge. And many/most are not stupid or failures. I can’t be certain enough to say all. The notion of stupidity or failure might, if generally held, put some applicants off.

The minuscule numbers of HCJJ+ when compared with all of the bar and solicitors shows what work is available in reality.