Fee Paid Posts
A fee paid (part-time) judicial role, such as Deputy District Judge, Recorder or certain Tribunal Judges, can provide a valuable insight into judicial life.
A fee paid (part-time) judicial post allows you to sit as a Judge while continuing your day job. It allows you to enjoy a mix of judicial and practitioner life. A number of fee paid Judges have told us that they find each role complements the other and enhances their performance in both roles. For some it is a way of seeing if a life on the Bench is for them as fee paid experience can help you gain experience before deciding to seek a permanent, salaried judicial appointment.
The work of a fee paid (part-time) Judge is broadly similar to the equivalent salaried appointment, but usually dealing with the less complex or serious cases.
- Most Tribunal Judges are appointed on a fee paid basis and are paid according to the number of sittings or days worked. The number of sitting days specialist members are expected to commit to varies depending on the tribunal and will generally be at least 15 days a year.
- Deputy District Judges sit on a fee paid basis in the county courts and district registries of the High Court for between 15 and 50 days a year.
- Deputy District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) sit on a fee-paid basis in the Magistrates' Courts, and for a minimum of 15 days a year.
- The position of Recorder is a fee paid post. Recorders are expected to sit for at least 15 days a year but not normally for more than 30 days a year.