Personal and judicial qualities
The interview, with the full panel, will, depending on the office being recruited, last between 45 minutes to an hour (or longer for more senior roles). Panel members will pose a mix of competency, scenario based and other questions directly relating to the criteria for appointment, inviting further evidence and specific examples in relation to each.
Sample Interview Questions can be found below
Personal characteristics
Tell us about a time when you have had to use moral courage.
Case management skills and efficiency
What deadlines do you have to deal with most commonly in your present role? How do you successfully achieve them?
Communication skills
How does the judge use her/his communication skills to demonstrate that s/he is ‘in charge’ in the Court?
Personal characteristics
You are presiding over a trial involving a child witness and the child is becoming distraught. What would you do?
Case management skills and efficiency
You are presiding over a busy bulk court. The cases included deferred sentences and new custodies all of which must be concluded that day. How would you prioritise to get through the business?
Communication skills
You are required to issue a written judgment following a difficult civil case which included disputed allegations of historical sexual abuse within a family. The case had split the family and the evidence was confusing and contradictory. What presentational issues will you have to address in the framing of your judgment?
INTERNAL COMMENT
It may be helpful to have a video her of a dummy interview to give an example of what the process looks like when you are in the room and being asked questions.