What do I call a judge?

CivilCriminalFamilyEducational

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 JusticeMy Lord or My Lady
The Right Honourable
The Master of the Rolls
Master of the RollsMy Lord or My Lady
The Right Honourable
The President of the King’s Bench Division
PresidentMy Lord or My Lady
The Right Honourable
The President of the Family Division
PresidentMy Lord or My Lady
The Right Honourable
The Chancellor of the High Court
ChancellorMy Lord or My Lady
Retired Head of Division Title in Private CapacityN/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 JusticeMy Lord
The Right Honourable Lady Justice Shaw DBE Lady JusticeMy 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 EvansJudgeMy Lord
High Court judge The Honourable Mrs/Ms Justice Evans (whether married or single)JudgeMy Lady

High Court Masters & Registrars

Office/Position Address (in correspondence)Dear…In court
Master Judge Rahman (whether male or female)JudgeJudge
Registrar Mr (or Mrs) Registrar RahmanRegistrarRegistrar
Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Judge Shannon (whether male or female)JudgeJudge

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) JudgeYour Honour
Her Honour Judge Smith (KC if appropriate) JudgeYour Honour

District Judges

Address (in correspondence) Dear…In court
District Judge Kherallah JudgeJudge

District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts)

Address (in correspondence) Dear…In court
District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) Ward JudgeJudge

Tribunal Judges

Address (in correspondence) Dear…In court
First-tier Tribunal Judge Curry JudgeJudge
Upper Tribunal Judge Curry JudgeJudge

Employment Judges

Address (in correspondence)Dear…In court
Employment Judge Johnson JudgeJudge

Magistrates

Dear…In court
John Siddiquee, Esq JP Your Worship, or
Sir or Madam