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Judge

Kaiwhakawā

Judges listen to court cases and make decisions on matters of law.

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Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include English, history and classical studies, te reo Māori and social studies.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Bachelor's degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for judges includes:

  • work as a barrister and/or solicitor
  • legal advisory work
  • work for the Ministry of Justice
  • work at parliament drafting new laws.

What you will do

Judges may do some or all of the following:

  • enforce the rules during court cases
  • listen to the evidence of witnesses and the arguments of lawyers
  • make rulings on what evidence may be used
  • guide juries on the law
  • come to decisions on legal cases or receive the decisions of juries
  • pass sentence on people who are convicted
  • write decisions on court cases
  • sit on tribunals to help solve disputes
  • decide custody and access disputes.

Skills and knowledge

Judges need to have knowledge of:

  • New Zealand law and legal history
  • how the court system operates
  • other judges' decisions 
  • possible culture, gender and society issues that may affect court hearings
  • management and leadership skills, so they can keep order in the court.
Pay

Judges usually earn

$370K-$578K

per year

Job opportunities
Poor
Chances of becoming a judge are poor due to the small size of the occupation and high competition.
Length of training
11
years of training usually required.

Industry

Law

Judges listen to court cases and make decisions on matters of law.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a judge you need to:

  • hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and have completed a Professional Legal Studies course
  • have at least seven years' experience as a solicitor and/or barrister
  • be of good character
  • have a good knowledge of the law and what justice means in present-day New Zealand.

Most judges are chosen from partners and directors of law firms or Queen's Counsels.

People wishing to become judges need to apply or be nominated to the Attorney-General's Judicial Appointments Unit.

Chances of getting a job

Strong competition for judge positions

Competition for judge positions is high because:

  • the occupation is small
  • people tend to stay in the role for a long time
  • the role of judge is highly respected and sought after by lawyers.

According to the Census, 357 judges worked in New Zealand in 2018.

One employer of judges

The Ministry of Justice is the only employer of judges in New Zealand.

Find out more about training

Te Kura Kaiwhakawā/Institute of Judicial Studies
(04) 496 3955 - TeKura@justice.govt.nz - www.ijs.govt.nz

 

Progression and specialisations

Judges may progress from District Court judge to positions in higher courts such as the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Judges may also progress to impartial positions within government such as Governor-General.

Working conditions

Judges:

  • usually work regular business hours
  • work in offices and courts
  • may travel between courthouses in a region to hear cases.

Useful personal qualities

Judges need to be:

  • mature and responsible
  • honest and fair
  • accepting of public scrutiny
  • trustworthy
  • able to interpret and analyse information.

Industry

Law

Judges listen to court cases and make decisions on matters of law.

Similar jobs in this industry

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