In a notice from the Lord Chief Justice and Senior President of Tribunals published on 1st December 2022, in an effort to simplify and modernise terminology used in hearings, it was announced that certain judges should be addressed as “Judge” in court and tribunal hearings, and no longer as “Sir” or “Madam”. This applies to First-tier Tribunal Judges, Upper Tribunal Judges, Employment Judges, Employment Appeal Tribunal Judges, Masters, District Judges and District Judges (Magistrates’ Court).
However, this does not apply to lay magistrates or non-legal members of tribunals who should continue to be addressed as “Sir” or “Madam”.
The full notice can be read here.
The most common modes of address in courts and tribunals are:
Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Judges – My Lord or My Lady
High Court Judges – My Lord or My Lady
High Court Masters – Judge
Circuit Judges – Your Honour – although some Circuit Judges are addressed as My Lord or My Lady, e.g. Central Criminal Court judges or the Recorder of Manchester/Liverpool etc.
Employment Judges – Judge
First-tier Tribunal Judges – Judge
Upper Tribunal Judges – Judge
District Judges – Judge
Lay magistrates – Sir or Madam
By Saqib Rauf, Veritas Witness Training
5th December 2022
If you would like more information on what to expect at a court or tribunal hearing, please get in touch.
