Sheriff 24 FAQs

Sheriff 24 - Information Session Q&A

1. Is it held against you if you make an unsuccessful application for judicial office and then apply again, do you hold a register of previous unsuccessful applications?

No, each round of competitions is viewed afresh and previous applications will have no bearing on current vacancies. The panel will not have access to any previous applications made by candidates.

When the panel shortlists applications, they will not know the names of candidates and every application will be considered on it’s own merits.

2. Is there any guidance on the type of answer expected for questions on the application form to give a steer in the right direction - for example if a question is asking about a time when you worked together with others, is there any sort of guidance with general advice such as this is where you would think of an example where you engaged with multiple outside agencies, or this is where you would think of an example of making a decision on behalf of others in difficult circumstances or something along these lines? The context for this is that I have many years of varied court experience and have or can collate lots of examples but struggle with the form in the sense of being unsure which examples fit where, or essentially what the question is actually getting at.

Yes, there is guidance on our website:

https://www.judicialappointments.scot/resources/what-were-looking-for

https://www.judicialappointments.scot/process/application/5-self-assessment

https://www.judicialappointments.scot/process/application/6-legal-written-work

It may also be helpful to look at the role profile for the post, where the skills and qualities of a Sheriff role will be outlined. The panel are looking for examples which highlight these, as well as fulfil the assessment criteria. These will be outlined on the application form.

3. I have asked a friend for some insight into the application form, as these kinds of forms are not my forte even with lots of career experience, and I understand some people might pay for help from a professional advisor which I can’t afford to do. Is it necessary to take up help in such a competitive forum, do you think this might assist with getting an application form through the first sift in circumstances where someone might have the right experience but isn’t conveying this properly on the form?

JABS does not encourage candidates to seek paid support. If any candidates are struggling with any aspect of the form, they are encouraged to reach out to mailbox@jabs.gov.scot who may be able to signpost to additional resources.

4. Do the panel take account of candidates’ disabilities when setting out the written parts of the process as well as the interview? And:

What kind of reasonable adjustments can a candidate expect?

Answered together:

We can offer a varied range of reasonable adjustments, both at the application stage or interview. The crucial point is engaging with the Business Management Unit (mailbox@jabs.gov.scot) in order to discuss and arrange these adjustments. They can be contacted at any stage in the application process. Additionally, you will be given an opportunity to ask for reasonable adjustments for interview on the application form.

5. Is there a difference in what the panel are looking for when recruiting for a Sheriff post as opposed to when recruiting for a Summary Sheriff role? If so, what is the difference?

Yes, this will be highlighted in the role profiles and these are the best source of information for differences. Here you can see the differences in skills and qualities for this role and others. https://www.judicialappointments.scot/resources/what-were-looking-for

6. Are you able to give details of the locations for the posts which are being recruited for in this round please?

The locations will be released when the application goes live. We anticipate this will be Monday 4^th March.

7. At interview do the panel expect fresh examples or is it ok to refer back to examples already provided in the application form?

It is acceptable to reuse examples, but we would advise that if you do so you expand on these by using the same example but discussing a new aspect that covers the criteria. It is generally more beneficial to come up with novel examples where you can.

8. Will there be a list of candidates held for when vacancies come up in due course from this recruitment?

Yes, a reserve list is generally kept of appointable but unsuccessful candidates. If further vacancies arise we will reach out to these candidates. As we cannot anticipate the location of any such roles in advance, candidates will be asked at application for any Sheriffdoms in which they would be willing to work.

9. Would an interviewee generally bring notes to the interview?

Yes, this is at the discretion of the candidate but we would advise not reading from notes verbatim for the personal and judicial questions. For the pre-prepared case studies, notes are encouraged as the candidate will be presenting verbally to the panel.

10. From the Judicial Office for Scotland:

Those considering applying should be aware that the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme gives any qualified solicitor, solicitor-advocate or advocate the opportunity to apply to spend up to three days observing the work of a judicial office holder. The purpose of this scheme is to encourage legal practitioners to consider applying for judicial office. More information can be found here - Judicial Work Shadowing

11. Would you be able to provide the timescales for the exercise?

We anticipate the advertisement going live on Monday 4^th March 2024. It will close on Friday 22^nd March 2024 at noon. Interviews will be held at the end of June/start July. Recommendations will be made in August, with candidates receiving outcome letters at this point. Judicial Institute training will be October 2024.

12. On the timescales point, could you perhaps also say something about notice periods for those in employment and whether these can be taken into account in relation to a successful applicant?

Notice periods are not taken into account when JABS makes a recommendation for appointment but the outcome letters should be issued in August with training not beginning until late October 2024. More information will be available as the competition progresses. Successful candidates would be able to discuss any implications of notice periods once they have been notified of recommendation.

Sheriff 24 - Information Session Q&A

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