What do I call a judge?
Updated: November 2023
The different ways to address members of the judiciary
Senior Judges
Address (in Correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
The Right Honourable The Lord/Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales | Lord/Lady Chief Justice/Chief Justice | My Lord or My Lady |
The Right Honourable The Master of the Rolls | Master of the Rolls | My Lord or My Lady |
The Right Honourable The President of the King’s Bench Division | President | My Lord or My Lady |
The Right Honourable The President of the Family Division | President | My Lord or My Lady |
The Right Honourable The Chancellor of the High Court | Chancellor | My Lord or My Lady |
Retired Head of Division | Title in Private Capacity | N/A |
Court of Appeal Judge
Judges who sit in the Court of Appeal (Lords Justices of Appeal) are Privy Councillors. They are known officially as Lord Justices. They should be addressed as follows:
Address (in Correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
The Right Honourable Lord Justice Shaw | Lord Justice | My Lord |
The Right Honourable Lady Justice Shaw DBE | Lady Justice | My Lady |
High Court Judges
Members of the High Court are not usually Privy Councillors. Their official designation is as follows:
Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
High Court judge | The Honourable Mr Justice Evans | Judge | My Lord |
High Court judge | The Honourable Mrs/Ms Justice Evans (whether married or single) | Judge | My Lady |
High Court Masters & Registrars
Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
Master | Judge Rahman (whether male or female) | Judge | Judge |
Registrar | Mr (or Mrs) Registrar Rahman | Registrar | Registrar |
Insolvency and Companies Court Judge | Judge Shannon (whether male or female) | Judge | Judge |
Circuit Judges
Some Circuit Judges – for example, The Recorder of Liverpool or Central Criminal Court judges – are referred to as “My Lord” or “My Lady”.
Address (in correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
His Honour Judge Smith (KC if appropriate) | Judge | Your Honour |
Her Honour Judge Smith (KC if appropriate) | Judge | Your Honour |
District Judges
Address (in correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
District Judge Kherallah | Judge | Judge |
District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts)
Address (in correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) Ward | Judge | Judge |
Tribunal Judges
Address (in correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
First-tier Tribunal Judge Curry | Judge | Judge |
Upper Tribunal Judge Curry | Judge | Judge |
Employment Judges
Address (in correspondence) | Dear… | In court |
Employment Judge Johnson | Judge | Judge |
Magistrates
Dear… | In court |
John Siddiquee, Esq JP | Your Worship, or Sir or Madam |