Apply to join a judge-led discussion group course
The PAJE programme provides support to all lawyers that are eligible for judicial appointments from the following under-represented groups:
- lawyers with disabilities
- lawyers from an ethnic minority background
- women lawyers
- solicitors and chartered legal executives (both with litigation and non-litigation experience) and those from non-litigation backgrounds including academics and unregistered barristers.
Applications to join a discussion group course are prioritised for applicants from the above groups.
A discussion group course consists of four workshops, covering content in Judgecraft, Judicial Ethics and Equality & Diversity. A course will take between four and eight weeks to complete, with workshops either running weekly or fortnightly. Courses are supported by one of the three legal professional bodies (The Law Society, Bar Council or CILEX). Courses are currently held remotely, but we are trialling running a number of workshops face-to-face.
Before you apply, please ensure that you have watched the 10 videos on the UK Judiciary YouTube page (external link) and that you meet the eligibility requirements for a legally qualified candidate for judicial appointments – this includes having at least five years post-qualification experience (PQE) in ‘law related activities’, and are a citizen of the UK, Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland. Full details on the Judicial Appointments Commission’s Eligibility for legally qualified candidates webpage (external link).
If you are not eligible for legal roles, your application will not be considered.
For more information on PAJE, please email: PAJE@judiciary.uk
How to apply
From June 2025, we will be running a virtual discussion group course, with dates outlined below.
This discussion group course consists of four judge-led workshops, each lasting for two hours, either held on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
You will also have to attend an IT Tech Support session prior to the course beginning.
Course dates: Wednesday 25 June, Wednesday 2 July, Wednesday 9 July and Wednesday 16 July. IT Support Session: 24 June 2025
The application window will close on 11.59pm on 16 June 2025. Any applications submitted after that will not be reviewed.
Please note that the PAJE programme is currently undergoing changes to ensure that the initiative continues to have a positive impact on participants, as well as exploring further developments to enhance the programme. As a result, future rounds for 2025 will be run on a limited basis and only one course option will be available for participants to apply for.
Those that are on the reserve list will be offered places on both the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter rounds for 2025.
To apply, please fill out the application form: Pre-Application Judicial Education (PAJE) Application Form- Spring Summer 2025 (external link)
- If you have any queries, please contact PAJE@judiciary.uk
PAJE Judges
We have a group of judges from a range of personal and professional backgrounds who volunteer to be facilitators of the PAJE discussion group courses.
Name | |
District Tribunal Judge Noel Arnold | District Tribunal Judge Marianne Bennett |
Employment Judge Mark Butler | HM Senior Coroner Kally Cheema |
His Honour Judge Jonathan Cooper | Employment Judge James Dawson |
Tribunal Judge Aidan Eardley | Recorder Yvette Genn |
District Judge Claire Goodman | His Honour Judge Stephen Hellman |
Her Honour Judge Shelley Hesford | District Tribunal Judge Michelle Jeffreys |
Upper Tribunal Judge Therese Kamara | District Tribunal Judge Sarah Mettam |
Regional Employment Judge Fiona Monk | His Honour Judge Avik Mukherjee |
District Judge Mark Mullins | Deputy High Court Judge Margaret Obi |
Upper Tribunal Judge Declan O’Callaghan | District Tribunal Judge Rhiannon Price |
District Judge Beatrive Prevatt | Upper Tribunal Judge Swami Raghavan |
District Judge Lesley Scott | Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge Paul Simon Shaerf |
Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi | His Honour Judge Michael Simon |
Employment Judge Hilary Slater | Upper Tribunal Judge Stephen Smith |
District Judge Graham Stuart | Regional Employment Judge Carol Taylor |
Tribunal Judge Nicholas Webb |