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 ‘Check you’re eligible’ 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 July, 2026 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, held on a weekly basis. 

Participants are also required to attend an IT Tech Support session prior to the course beginning.  

Course dates and times: Wednesday 1 July, Wednesday 8 July, Wednesday 15 July and Wednesday 22 July. Sessions will run from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

 IT Support Session: 23 June 2026 from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

The application window will close at 11.59pm on 1 June 2026.
Applications submitted after this will not be reviewed.  

To apply, please fill out the PAJE application form- Spring / Summer 2026 (external link)

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 ArnoldDistrict Tribunal Judge Marianne Bennett
Employment Judge Mark ButlerHM Senior Coroner Kally Cheema
His Honour Judge Jonathan CooperEmployment Judge James Dawson
Tribunal Judge Aidan EardleyRecorder Yvette Genn
District Judge Claire GoodmanHis Honour Judge Stephen Hellman
Her Honour Judge Shelley HesfordDistrict Tribunal Judge Michelle Jeffreys
Upper Tribunal Judge Therese KamaraDistrict Tribunal Judge Sarah Mettam
Regional Employment Judge Fiona MonkHis Honour Judge Avik Mukherjee
District Judge Mark MullinsDeputy High Court Judge Margaret Obi
Upper Tribunal Judge Declan O’CallaghanDistrict Tribunal Judge Rhiannon Price
District Judge Beatrive PrevattUpper Tribunal Judge Swami Raghavan
District Judge Lesley ScottDeputy Upper Tribunal Judge Paul Simon Shaerf
Recorder Ayesha SiddiqiHis Honour Judge Michael Simon
Employment Judge Hilary SlaterUpper Tribunal Judge Stephen Smith
District Judge Graham StuartRegional Employment Judge Carol Taylor
Tribunal Judge Nicholas Webb