I often speak to those instructing me on the phone, unaware that they are very junior and usually find our discussions very helpful. I decided that it would help junior personal injury fee earners in litigation to have some sort of guide or blog that gives them information that many of us take for granted.
This blog will explain the various types of Judges that deal with cases in civil litigation.
District Judges & Deputy District Judges
These are the types of Judges that will deal with most personal injury cases that are below £25,000 in the County Court. District Judges are full time and Deputy District Judges are part time judges, usually lawyers who are still practicing.
Previously they were addressed in Court as ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ but recent changes led to District Judges being addressed as ‘Judge’. Usually District Judges have previously sat as Deputy District Judges (albeit, the prerequisite is fifteen days in a judicial role) and is open to Solicitors, Barristers or CILEX Lawyers who have at least five years post qualifying experience (although there are some exceptions).
In some circumstances, Judges from other jurisdictions may sit as a District Judge (such as an Employment Judge or Tribunal Judge).
Most District Judges will usually deal with claims allocated to the Small Claims and Fast Track. They can deal with Multi Track (and presumably Intermediate Track) with permission of the Designated Civil Judge of their Court/Circuit. The same occurs with approval of settlement for protected parties (which, unlike infant approvals, must be undertaken by the Designated Civil Judge unless they nominate a District Level Judge).
They do not robe except in rare circumstances (such as committal hearings as per CPR 81.8(2) ‘Advocates and the judge shall appear robed in all hearings of contempt proceedings, whether or not the court sits in public‘). Their robes are now part of the recent ‘modern civil’ attire and have a blue tab as seen in the photograph in this article in the Independent.
Circuit Judge, Deputy Circuit Judge and Recorders
Circuit Judges are the same level of Judges that would usually sit in the Crown Court, however the ones that sit in the County Court (or Family Court) will deal with more complex and higher value cases compared with District Judges. Whilst there are Deputy Circuit Judges (usually reserved for part time Circuit Judges after they resign from full time roles) a Deputy District Judge equivalent of a Circuit Judge is called a Recorder.
The position of Circuit Judge is available only to Barrister and Solicitors of seven years post qualifying experience. It is open to Judges who have sat in a full time position of at least five years (which means a CILEX Lawyer who sits as a full time Judge will be eligible). However, recent legislation now opens the opportunity for CILEX Lawyer to become Recorders.
As you may have anticipated, Circuit Judges and Recorders will usually hear cases on the Multi Track (and likely, the Intermediate Track). Some Circuit Judges will have the authority to sit in the High Court as a Judge (known as having a Section 9 ticket). They also hear appeals within the County Court of decisions made by District Judges.
What may confuse more junior fee earners is that due to judicial unavailability, Circuit Judges may deal with Small Claims or Fast track matters. I’ve been before a Circuit Judge in a CMC in a Fast Track matter, a Recorder in an infant approval, a Fast Track trial before both a Circuit Judge and Recorder.
They are addressed as ‘Your Honour’ in Court and when they are robed (which usually only occurs in final hearings and appeals, less likely in Fast Track Trials and almost certainly never in Small Claims Trials) they wear a robe different from District Judges. The gown is the same as a criminal Circuit Judge (as seen here), but instead of a red sash, they wear a purple one and do not wear a wig.
Designated Civil Judge
The Designated Civil Judge is the senior Circuit Judge of a particular Court or Circuit. They essentially lead the other Judges in the County Court and deal with specific types of hearings. They are essentially Circuit Judges with more senior roles but with more of a leadership position.
There are certain hearings (such as approval hearings for protected parties) that should only be conducted by the Designated Civil Judge, but certain rules allow delegation of those tasks to other Judges. A fast track personal injury claim is unlikely to be heard by a Designated Civil Judge, but with significant judicial unavailability of late, it would not be impossible.
The Judicial Offices (Sitting in Retirement – Prescribed Offices and Descriptions) Regulations 2022
A thank you for George Pollitt of Iscoed Chambers who pointed out to me that a statutory instrument has introduced terms used specifically for those who sit in a judicial position after retirement. The Judicial Office (Sitting In retirement – Prescribed Office and Descriptions) Regulations 2022 has replaced the term ‘Deputy Circuit Judge’ to ‘Circuit Judge (Sitting in Retirement)’. It applies to each type of judicial role, depending on if they were a full time salary or part time fee paid Judge.
George suggests the purpose allowed parties and advocates to know where the Judge was a full time Judge at retirement or part time.
Information
AJH Advocacy Limited, a Limited Company which is regulated by the Bar Standards Boards (entity number 190758), ceases trading on the 12th January 2026.
From the 12th January 2026 and onwards, Alec Hancock will practice as a Barrister at Magdalen Chambers in Exeter. For instructions on matters on or after 12th January 2026, please contact Magdalen Chambers via clerks@magdalenchambers.co.uk or by telephone on 01392 285 200.