Judge

Understanding the Role and Responsibilities of a Judge

Imagine a world where every decision is made with absolute fairness and justice. That’s what a judge does, but how exactly do they carry out this monumental task? A judge presides over court proceedings, assessing evidence and issuing rulings based on law and personal judgment. But the role of a judge can vary significantly across different jurisdictions.

The Power and Authority of a Judge

Do you ever wonder how much power a judge wields? In some cases, judges exercise significant authority, ordering searches, arrests, and seizures. However, their power is checked by higher courts to ensure that justice remains impartial.

Different Systems of Justice

In adversarial systems, the judge acts as an impartial referee, while in inquisitorial systems, the judge applies the law directly. Judges may work alone or in panels, with varying levels of training, education, and appointment processes.

The Path to Becoming a Judge

For someone to become a judge, they must be appointed from experienced attorneys who possess a thorough understanding of law and legal procedure. They require excellent skills in logical reasoning, analysis, and decision-making, as well as writing and interpersonal skills.

The Salaries and Benefits

Do you know that judges often enjoy high salaries? Particularly federal judges can earn up to $267,000 per year. However, gender effects exist in the judiciary, with women making up a majority of judges in civil law countries but being underrepresented in Supreme Courts in many EU and US countries.

The Symbolism of Judges

Have you ever noticed the gavel that judges use? It’s more than just an object; it symbolizes their office. In many parts of the world, judges wear long robes (often in black or red) and sit on an elevated platform during trials (known as the bench). American judges frequently wear black robes.

Robes and Gavels

In some Western states, judges did not always wear robes and instead wore everyday clothing. Today, some members of state supreme courts, such as the Maryland Supreme Court, wear distinct dress. In Italy and Portugal, both judges and lawyers wear particular black robes.

Addressing Judges

How do you address a judge? The answer varies by country. In Hong Kong, magistrates are addressed as ‘Your Worship,’ district court judges as ‘Your Honour.’ In superior courts, judges are addressed as ‘My Lord’ or ‘My Lady.’

Diverse Addressing Practices

In India, judges were addressed as ‘Your Lordship’ or ‘My Lord,’ but the Bar Council of India has adopted a resolution to use terms such as ‘Your Honour’ and ‘Honourable Court.’ However, in an unprecedented move in October 2009, one of the judges of Madras HC, Justice K Chandru had banned lawyers from addressing his court as My Lord and Your Lordship.

International Addressing Customs

In Israel, judges are addressed as Sir, Madam or Your Honor. Typically after every naming you will hear haShofét, meaning ‘the judge’ after the respective address. For example, Your Honor the Judge would be כבוד השופט (kevod haShofét).

Addressing Judges in Different Countries

In Malaysia, judges of subordinate courts are addressed as Tuan or Puan (‘Sir,’ ‘Madam’), or Your Honour. Judges of superior courts are addressed as Yang Arif (lit. ‘Learned One’) or My Lord, My Lady, etc.; and Your Lordship or My Ladyship if the proceedings, as they generally are in the superior courts, are in English.

Addressing Judges in Other Countries

In Pakistan, judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts are addressed as Your Lordship or My Lord or Lordship and Your Ladyship or My Lady. In lower courts, judges are addressed as sir, madam or the Urdu equivalent Janab or Judge Sahab.

Addressing Judges in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, judges of most courts are addressed as Your Honour; however, the Chief Justice is addressed as Your Lordship. Judges of the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court receive the title The Honourable.

Addressing Judges in Vietnam

In Vietnam, judges are addressed as Quý tòa (literally the ‘Honorable Court’). In Bulgaria before 1989 during the communist regime, judges were addressed as drugarju. After 1989, gospodín sŭdiya or gospožo sŭdiya.

Addressing Judges in Finland

In Finland, there is no special form of address; ordinary politeness is sufficient and the procedure lacks arcane rituals. The chairman of the panel is addressed as herra/rouva puheenjohtaja (‘Mr. /Ms. Chairman’). Finnish judges use gavels but there are no robes or cloaks used in any Finnish courts.

Addressing Judges in District Courts

In a district court (käräjäoikeus), ordinary judges work with the title käräjätuomari and the chairman is laamanni. They are assisted by notaries, assessors, and referendaries who may sometimes even chair sessions.

Addressing Judges in Appeals Courts

In appeals courts (hovioikeus), an ordinary judge has the title hovioikeudenneuvos, the chairman of a section is hovioikeudenlaamanni and the court is led by a presidentti.

Addressing Judges in France

In France, presiding judges are addressed as Monsieur le président or Madame le président, while associated judges are addressed as Monsieur l’Assesseur or Madame l’Assesseur.

Addressing Judges in Germany and Hungary

In Germany, judges are addressed as Herr Vorsitzender or Frau Vorsitzende. In Hungary, male presiding judge is addressed as tisztelt bíró úr, while female presiding judge is addressed as tisztelt bírónő.

Addressing Judges in Ireland

In Ireland, Supreme Court judges are officially titled The Honourable Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss Justice Surname, while judges of Circuit and District Courts are titled His/Her Honour Judge Surname.

Addressing Judges in Italy and the Netherlands

In Italy, presiding judge is addressed as Signor presidente della corte. In the Netherlands, presiding judges are addressed edelachtbare, edelgrootachtbare, or edelhoogachtbare.

Addressing Judges in Poland and Portugal

In Poland, presiding judges are addressed Wysoki Sądzie during trial. In Portugal, presiding judges are addressed as Meretíssimo Juiz (male) or Meretíssima Juíza (female), or Vossa Excelência when not specifying gender.

Addressing Judges in Romania and Russia

In Romania, judges are addressed as Onorata Instanta. In Russia, for criminal cases the right address is Vasha Chest; for civil, commercial and criminal cases presided over by a panel of judges, the right address is Honorable Court.

Addressing Judges in Spain

In Spain, magistrates of Supreme Court are addressed as ‘Your Most Excellent Lordship,’ while simple judges are always called ‘Your Lordship.’

Addressing Judges in Sweden and the United Kingdom

In Sweden, presiding judge is traditionally addressed as Herr Ordförande or Fru Ordförande. In the United Kingdom, Supreme Court judges are called Justices of the Supreme Court, and are addressed as ‘My Lord/Lady’ in court. Judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal are referred to as ‘My Lord’ or ‘My Lady.’ Judges of the Court of Appeal are called Lords Justice of Appeal and are referred to as ‘Lord Justice N’ or ‘Lady Justice N.’

Addressing Judges in Brazil

In Brazil, judges are called ‘Juiz’ or ‘Juíza.’ Traditionally addressed as ‘Vossa Excelência’ (Your Honor) or ‘Meritíssimo’ (Honorable). Judges on State and Federal Courts are called ‘desembargadores.’ Judges in higher courts are called ‘ministro’ or ‘ministra.’

Addressing Judges in International Courts

In international courts, judges from the International Court of Justice are addressed by their titles from their countries. International Criminal Court judges are referred to as ‘judge.’

As we can see, the role of a judge is multifaceted and deeply rooted in tradition. From the symbolic gavel to the formal address, every aspect of their work reflects the importance of justice and fairness. Whether you’re addressing a judge or simply observing their proceedings, understanding these customs and practices helps us appreciate the complexity and significance of judicial roles around the world.