What do you call a judge in civil court UK?

Asked by: Anika Brekke  |  Last update: December 19, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (47 votes)

Call them 'My Lord' or 'My Lady' in court. Address them in correspondence as 'Lord / Lady <Name (of Place) >' and begin the letter 'Dear Lord / Lady <Name>'

What do British people call judges?

Circuit judges are referred to as His/Her Honour Judge {surname} e.g. His/Her Honour Judge Smith. If a circuit judge is appointed who has the same surname as another serving circuit judge, he (she) will be referred to as His (Her) Honour Judge {first name} {surname}. e.g. His Honour Judge John Smith.

How do you address a judge in civil court UK?

Judges of the Circuit or County Court should be addressed as: “His/Her Honour Judge Smith”. If they are a QC this should still be included at the end of their title, e.g. “His/ Her Honour Judge Smith QC”. For Circuit Judges the first name is only used if there is more than one Circuit Judge with the same surname.

What do you call a judge in court in the UK?

Addressing the judge

Crown Court judges are usually addressed as “Your Honour” unless they're sitting as a High Court judge (red judge) or are a specially designated senior judge (such as the Recorder of Leeds). In those cases, they're addressed as “My Lord” or “My Lady”. If you're unsure, ask the usher.

What is the proper name for a judge?

In person: In an interview, social event, or in court, address a judge as “Your Honor” or “Judge [last name].” If you are more familiar with the judge, you may call her just “Judge.” In any context, avoid “Sir” or “Ma'am.” Special Titles.

Address the Judge

31 related questions found

What are the different types of judges in the UK?

Courts Judiciary
  • Chancellor of the High Court. ...
  • Chief Magistrate. ...
  • Circuit judges. ...
  • Court of Appeal Judges. ...
  • District judges. ...
  • District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) ...
  • High Court Judges. ...
  • High Court Masters, Costs Judges and Insolvency and Companies Court Judges.

What is the official name of a judge?

In legal contexts, they are referred to as "His/Her Honour" and "the Honourable Justice Surname" (for judges of superior courts) or "his/her Honour Judge Surname" (for inferior courts). Outside legal contexts, the formal terms of address are "Judge" (for puisne justices) or "Chief Justice" (for chief justices).

What is a district judge in the UK?

District Judges (Magistrates' courts) hear criminal cases, youth cases and also some civil proceedings in Magistrates' courts. They can be authorised to hear cases in the Family Court. Some are authorised to deal with extradition proceedings and terrorist cases. They are also authorised to sit as prison adjudicators.

What is a judge called in Scotland?

Judiciary. The High Court is presided over by the Lord Justice General and the Lord Justice Clerk. They usually sit as chairpersons in the courts of criminal appeal. The other full time judges, who are also Senators of the College of Justice, are known as Lords Commissioners of Justiciary when sitting in the High Court ...

What should you not say to a judge?

Here are five things all defendants will want to avoid saying to a criminal judge:
  • 'I Did It. ' ...
  • 'They Didn't Tell Me...' ...
  • Expletives. ...
  • Lies, Lies, Lies. ...
  • 'I Will Represent Myself.

What do you call a retired judge?

Whether walking into a local restaurant or attending a community event, former judges will continue to be addressed as “judge.” Judges will be hired for jobs not only for their judicial experience, but also for the positive “label” that having a former judge on payroll will bring.

What is a slang word for judge?

beak (British, slang)

What do they call judges in Canada?

Judges of the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Tax Court of Canada should be addressed "The Honourable (first and last names), Judge of the xxxx Court of Canada". BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices can be addressed as "Dear Mr.

Are judges called Lord in England?

Some Circuit Judges – for example, The Recorder of Liverpool or Central Criminal Court judges – are referred to as “My Lord” or “My Lady”.

What is a UK judge called?

High Court Judges are given the prefix 'The Honourable' and are referred to as 'Mr/Mrs/Ms Justice surname'. So, for example, a High Court Judge would formally be referred to as The Honourable Mrs Justice Smith. This might sometimes be abbreviated to Smith J.

What is the difference between a magistrate and a judge in the UK?

The district judge decides if the defendant is guilty or not and what sentence to give. A magistrates' court normally handles cases known as 'summary offences', for example: most motoring offences. minor criminal damage.

Is a judge higher than a district attorney?

The sentence in the State of California case is determined in conjunction with the prosecutor. The judge simply 'rubber stamps' it. Of course, as mentioned above, if the guilty verdict comes after a trial, then the judge's power increases because the Judge has the sole power to sentence within the bounds of the law.

What is the proper name to call a judge?

Most judges want you to go to the lectern except to make very brief statements, such as objections. Address the judge only as “your honor” when addressing the judge in the courtroom. Refer to the judge as “the Court”, “his honor,” or “her honor” if you need to refer to the judge while addressing a witness or the jury.

How to address a judge in a letter in the UK?

Circuit judges (Crown or County Court) and some High Court divisions
  1. 'Your Honour'
  2. Address them in correspondence as His/Her Honour Judge [Surname]' and begin letters with 'Dear Judge'.

What is the new word of judge?

Some common synonyms of judge are conclude, deduce, gather, and infer.

What are the 3 types of judges?

Supreme Court justices, court of appeals judges, and district court judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate, as stated in the Constitution.

Who are judges appointed by in the UK?

Since April 2006, judicial appointments have been the responsibility of an independent Judicial Appointments Commission. Before this appointments were made on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, who was a Government Minister.

What are the 7 judges called?

There are 7 judges (called “justices”) on the Supreme Court, and at least 4 must agree to come to a decision. The 7 justices, 1 Chief Justice and 6 associate justices, are appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, and confirmed by the public at the next general election.