Circuit judge (UK)

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Law of England and Wales This article is part of the series: Courts of England and Wales

Administration Ministry of Justice Secretary of State for Justice Her Majesty's Courts Service

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Criminal courts House of Lords Lord of Appeal in Ordinary Court of Appeal Lord Chief Justice Lord Justice of Appeal High Court of Justice President of the Queen's Bench High Court judge Crown Court Circuit Judge Recorder Magistrates' Court District Judge Justice of the Peace

Criminal justice Attorney General Director of Public Prosecutions Crown Prosecution Service

Barristers and solicitors Bar Council Barrister Law Society of England and Wales Solicitor Solicitor Advocate

Circuit judges are senior judges in England and Wales who sit in the Crown Courts, County Courts and certain specialized sub-divisions of the High Court of Justice, such as the Technology and Construction Court. The office of Circuit Judge was created by the Courts Act 1971. Circuit Judges are styled His or Her Honour Judge and are referred to his or her honour. They are sometimes referred to as "purple judges" on account of their dress robes.

Circuit judges sit below High Court Judges but above Recorders and District Judges. They may also be appointed to sit as Deputy High Court Judges. They are also now eligible to sit in the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal.

There were six circuits in England and Wales: the Midland, Northern, North Eastern, South Eastern, Western and Wales and Chester. On April 1, 2005, with the creation of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS), the six circuits were replaced by seven regions which are now: Midlands, North West, North East, South East, London, South West and Wales.

[edit] References

• Judicial Profile - Circuit Judge, judiciary.gov.uk