How to address a circuit judge in court
Nadia Rahman, a newly qualified solicitor, is attending a two-day intermediate track trial in the County Court at Central London. The trial is listed before His Honour Judge Okafor, a circuit judge. Nadia will be making a short application at the start of the hearing on behalf of her client.
How should Nadia address the judge in court?
Choose one answer to see the reasoning.
Worked answer
Correct answer B: "Your Honour".
THE RULE TO REMEMBER
In court, circuit judges are addressed as 'Your Honour', High Court judges as 'My Lord/My Lady', and district judges as 'Judge'.
How to address a circuit judge in court
The judiciary's guidance, 'What do I call a judge?', sets out how each type of judge is addressed in court. Circuit judges, who are styled His or Her Honour Judge [surname] in correspondence, are addressed in court as 'Your Honour'. Judge Okafor is a circuit judge sitting in the County Court, so Nadia should address him as 'Your Honour'. Only a few circuit judges, such as the Recorder of Liverpool or judges of the Central Criminal Court, are addressed as 'My Lord' or 'My Lady'. That form is otherwise used for High Court judges and above. District judges and Masters are addressed as 'Judge'. Using the correct form of address is part of the courtroom etiquette expected of an advocate.
Why A is wrong: 'My Lord' is used for High Court judges and above, and for only a few specially designated circuit judges.
Why C is wrong: 'Sir' is not the form of address for a circuit judge in court; the guidance gives 'Your Honour'.
Why D is wrong: 'Judge' is the form for district judges and Masters in court, and the greeting in a letter to a circuit judge, not the form for a circuit judge in court.
Why E is wrong: 'Your Worship' is the traditional form for lay magistrates, not judges of the County Court.
A little more practice done.
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