Part-time working

From 1 April 2005 all new and existing salaried judicial appointments below High Court level will be suitable for part-time sitting unless the nature of the office or business needs dictate otherwise. At present only district judges and tribunal members may sit part-time but from next spring about 1,450 judicial posts will be eligible for part-time appointments. Part-time office holders will have the same status, access to cases and training opportunities as full-time judges. The Department for Constitutional Affairs has also indicated that it is willing to consider other types of flexible working, such as sitting at different times in order to accommodate people with child care responsibilities who need to transport children to and from school. It is hoped that part-time working will increase the diversity of the judiciary by removing the barriers that inhibit individuals from considering judicial appointment, enabling those who cannot, or choose not to, commit to a full-time post in the judiciary.