The PAJE programme supports talented lawyers from underrepresented groups to feel more equipped, confident and prepared when considering applying for a future judicial role. The judge-led discussion groups will provide additional support to lawyers who are eligible for judicial appointments from the following four underrepresented groups:
- Lawyers with disabilities
- Lawyers from ethnic minority backgrounds
- Women lawyers and/or
- Solicitors and chartered legal executives (both with litigation and non-litigation) and those from a non-litigation background including academic and non-practising barristers.
Applications to join a discussion group course will be prioritised for those individuals.
From March, we will be running 3 virtual discussion group courses, with dates outlined below. Each discussion group course consists of four judge-led workshops, each lasting for two hours, either held on a weekly or fortnightly basis. One of the courses (Course 1) will hold their final workshop in person, with details outlined below.
It is expected that you will attend all four workshops to complete a PAJE course and be granted the completion certificate, unless there are exceptional circumstances, which will need to be communicated to your discussion group course lead in advance. Successful applicants will be unable to swap courses, so please ensure that you pick your course preference carefully to ensure you can attend all the dates referenced below.
You will also have to attend an IT Tech Support session prior to the course beginning.
Course 1: Monday 11 March, Monday 18 March, Monday 25 March and Tuesday 02 April, from 17:30 – 19:30. IT support session: Monday 04 March, from 17:00 – 18:00.
- The final workshop on Tuesday 02 April will be held in person, at the Bar Council office: 289 – 293 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7HZ
Course 2: Tuesday 05 March, Tuesday 12 March, Monday 18 March and Tuesday 02 April, from 17:30 – 19:30. IT support session: Friday 01 March, from 12:30 – 13:30.
Course 3: Wednesday 13 March, Wednesday 20 March, Wednesday 27 March and Wednesday 03 April, from 17:30 – 19:30. IT support session: Wednesday 06 March, from 17:00-18:00.
The application window will close at 23:59 on 12 February. Any applications submitted after that will not be reviewed.