Preparing for silk and judicial appointments

Over the last 10 years, hundreds of barristers and solicitors have turned to JSB for assistance with their silk or judicial application forms, and help preparing for interviews, qualifying tests, presentations, role plays and situational questioning.

Applying for QC or judicial appointment is a challenging and highly competitive process. Whether this is your first experience of a competency-based selection procedure, or you are looking to improve on a previous attempt to secure judicial or silk appointment, our consultants are here to advise, guide and prepare you.

Through frank and insightful coaching sessions they will help you structure your skills, experience and competencies and maximise your chances of success. Years of experience leave us with an in-depth understanding of the various judicial appointment selection exercises and also the QC application process. Below is a summary of the type of support we offer our clients.

How we help judicial and silk applicants

Helping you understand the judicial or QC appointment process – and whether it is right for you
Helping you complete your judicial or silk application form and/or reviewing your drafts and final versions
Guidance on making the right referee selections
Interview coaching and feedback – knowing what to expect, what to say and practising how you say it
Detailed preparation for the selection day – including role plays, presentations and situational questioning

See why you should choose JSB to help you

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Thank you for getting in touch with us. We just need a few details from you:

6 months ago you provided me with excellent feedback and help in preparing applications for recorder and district judge. I am writing to say that I have been successful in both applications. My appointment as recorder is "public" now, but my appointment as district judge must remain confidential until further notice. However, I just wanted to thank you, and JSB, for all your help with both applications. Should you ever require a testimonial, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will certainly recommend you and JSB to any colleague who is thinking of applying for a judicial post.

"6 months ago you provided me with excellent feedback and help in preparing applications for recorder and district judge. I am writing to say that I have been successful in both applications and wanted to thank you, and JSB, for help with both. Should you ever require a testimonial please don't hesitate to contact me. I will certainly recommend you and JSB to any colleague who is thinking of applying for a judicial post."

Recorder and District Judge

"I found my session so helpful and invaluable. I would not have been able to answer most of the questions in the interview had I not seen JSB's consultant! I would go so far as to say that I am not sure how anyone gets through without the help of JSB!"

“I thought I should let you know that I have been appointed as a DDJ (civil) and would obviously like to thank you for the invaluable session the day before the interview.”

Deputy District Judge

"I am still so grateful for the help which you gave me. I am quite sure that I would not have got the job without your training to present myself better."

High Court Judge

"What I do know for sure is that your training was invaluable - whatever the result. Thanks again."

Silk applicant

"Your input was absolutely invaluable. I nailed three questions which had me floundering at our practice run."

Silk applicant

I just wish that I had contacted you earlier! I received invaluable insights into the selection and interview process which has been very much appreciated."

Silk applicant

Thank you for your outstanding skill and help from the outset. Thanks to you, I just could not have made a better application

Circuit Judge applicant

"I think you have transformed the application and I’m really grateful to you not just for the substance of your suggestions but also the speed and efficiency with which you have dealt with them."

Silk applicant

"Many thanks - and many more thanks for all your help, patience and support - every time I felt a gesticulation coming on in the interview I thought of you and all was calm. Your help was truly invaluable"

Silk applicant

"Just to let you know that I think the interview went very well indeed. Your help with the prep was completely invaluable, from the attitude to adopt, and the way to express myself, to how to sit."

Silk applicant