Role-play exercises often simulate a Court or Tribunal environment. Candidates are asked to take on the role of a judicial office-holder and respond to a simulated situation.

These exercises assess how you deal with the situations you may face, and decisions you will be asked to make if you were to be appointed. It provides the opportunity to demonstrate how well you meet the required qualities and abilities, and whether you can maintain that performance under challenge and pressure.

Role-play is normally used for exercises in which a large proportion of  candidates are likely to be entering the Judiciary for the first time. It can be an important source of information, demonstrating to the Panel how you might cope in post. 

On Selection Days, when a role-play is used, a Panel will usually be four people.The Independent Member and one of the Judicial Members will observe your role-play. The Panel Chair and second Judicial Member will take the interview. The four will then meet to discuss and mark the candidate against the JAC's qualities and abilities.

A film of an example role-play appears at the bottom of this page. A version with audio commentary is also included below that. The supporting documents can be downloaded on the right of this screen.