Judges: Training

To preserve judicial independence, statutory responsibility for judicial training is held by the Lady Chief Justice, Senior President of Tribunals and Chief Coroner. These responsibilities are fulfilled by the Judicial College.

To preside over serious sexual offence (SSO) cases in the Crown or Youth Court, judges must hold the appropriate authorisation, following specific SSO induction and continuation training. Crown Court judges must complete the relevant continuation seminar every three years while Youth Court judges must complete it every two years.

SSO training focuses on enabling judges to handle all aspects of these cases with sensitivity and confidence, equipped with knowledge of current law and practice, and to ensure the trial and sentencing process is fair and appropriate to the needs of all parties and witnesses. The seminars have vulnerability, special measures and trauma-informed practice at their core. This training is supplemented by a wide range of Judicial College resources, such as the Crown Court Compendium, which provides guidance for judges on directing the jury in Crown Court trials and when sentencing. I observed this training on a recent visit to the Judicial College. The Independent Advisor to the Government on issues related to serious sexual offences has also observed the training and has attested to its quality.

Judges and magistrates sitting in the family and criminal jurisdictions receive mandatory domestic abuse training. The training reflects the wide nature of domestic abuse including coercive and controlling behaviour. The Judicial College has recently published a summary of the judicial training on domestic abuse: Judicial education in domestic abuse 2026 to 2027.

The Government has no role in the process for how judges are selected to hear trials. Under section 7(2)(c) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the Lady Chief Justice is responsible for the maintenance of appropriate arrangements for the deployment of the judiciary and the allocation of work within courts. This position is consistent with the principle of judicial independence.

Judicial decisions about which judge hears a case, including those involving the most serious offences, are made having regard to the complexity and seriousness of the case, the experience and authorisation of the judge, and the need to ensure the fair and efficient administration of justice. A judge’s personal characteristics are not a factor as all judges uphold the rule of law, deciding cases solely on the legal and factual merits, treating all parties impartially and in the interests of justice.

To ensure all court users are treated fairly, judges receive training in their induction and throughout their career on structured decision-making, fair treatment of court users and addressing unconscious bias. All judicial office holders have also access to the Equal Treatment Bench Book which aims to raise awareness of the different needs of court users and to support effective communication and participation for all parties in court.

To ensure that victims can access support throughout their criminal justice journey, this government has committed £550 million for victim support services over the next three years. The Ministry of Justice funded Witness Service continues to provide on-the-day emotional and practical support to victims who are witnesses. This may include providing information about the court and its processes, facilitating any explanations around any delays and accompanying the witness into the court room when they give evidence. Independent Sexual Violence Advisors can also provide wider emotional and practical support to victims of sexual violence.