Online seminar will provide guidance on the JAC selection process and applications.
The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is preparing to launch a selection exercise in October 2026 to identify 130 candidates for Deputy District Judge appointments, according to the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. The figure is expected to include 80 immediate appointments and 50 future appointments.
Ahead of the selection exercise, the Judicial Office is organising an online Deputy District Judge pre-application seminar on Tuesday 6 October 2026, from 5pm to 6.15pm via Microsoft Teams.
The seminar is intended to help prospective applicants prepare their applications and understand the latest guidance on the JAC’s selection process. Representatives from the JAC, leadership judges and serving Deputy District Judges are expected to take part.
The selection exercise will be open to barristers, solicitors and Fellows of CILEX. The Judiciary notes that, to meet the statutory qualifications for appointment, a solicitor — or a salaried judicial office holder who was formerly a solicitor — must appear on the Roll.
Applications are particularly welcomed from under-represented groups, including women, ethnic minority candidates, disabled candidates and candidates with a solicitor background.
Deputy District Judges hear a range of civil and family cases. Their work can include trials lasting several days, as well as shorter interlocutory and case management applications. The Judiciary says that most of their work involves lists containing several short hearings each day.
The role also requires judges to deal effectively with face-to-face and remote hearings, as well as applications made electronically or on paper. The vacancies will be across England and Wales.
Prospective applicants can register for the pre-application seminar through the Judicial Careers website. The Judiciary has also directed candidates to the JAC’s future vacancies page for further information about the recruitment exercise.
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary published the announcement on 24 September 2026.