Judges

INTRODUCTION

There are several different types of judges. It is important to bear in mind that all judges are highly skilled and experienced in matters of the law that they deal with. However they are also human beings.

MAGISTRATES

Magistrates are called Justices of the Peace. They sit in Magistrates courts and deal with a variety of less serious legal cases involving mainly crime, child disputes, licensing applications and other miscellaneous matters. Magistrates are usually members of the public who have been specially appointed by the Lord Chancellors office. Magistrates deal with cases by three sitting together at a time. A magistrate’s clerk usually sits in front of them and advises them on matters of the law. There are some professional full time magistrates called Stipendiaries.

DISTRICT JUDGES

These are judges that sit in the County Court and deal with a wide variety of civil law cases. These types of judges are usually former solicitors.

CIRCUIT JUDGES

These deal with the more serious cases that crop up in the County court and Crown court. England and Wales is divided into six areas or “circuits” and these judges operate within their particular circuit. These judges are usually former barristers.

MASTERS

These are court officers who deal with various and the less serious civil law matters in the High Court.

HIGH COURT JUDGES

These deal with more serious High Court matters. They can also deal with appeals on matters of law from lower courts. These are nearly all former senior barristers.

HOUSE OF LORDS JUDGES

These are called Law Lords. (Great Name eh?). There are usually ten of them. They sit in the House of Lords and deal with only the most important cases on appeal. They are often at the cutting edge of interpreting if not creating the law in England and Wales.