Nicole Keeling
Judges across the UK are warning of mounting concerns for their personal safety, heightened stress, and an increasing sense of vulnerability, according to the latest findings of the 2024 UK Judicial Attitude Survey. This is a worrying trend as judges are more concerned about their physical safety, a stark contrast to the consistent decline observed over the last decade.
Findings from 2024 UK Judicial Attitude Survey
The survey, which represents the opinions of salaried and fee-paid judges in England and Wales, indicates that 39% of judges now express concern for their safety in court. This is an increase from 27% just two years ago. Off the bench, 26% of judges have had the same worries, a rise from 19% in 2022. The heightened fear follows a spate of high-profile attacks, such as a gruesome attack on a family judge, which has helped fuel the climate of fear among the judiciary.
The rise in safety concerns is both a result of external threats and also as a consequence of the pressures of judicial work, which regularly place judges at the forefront of heated disputes. The most worried are district judges, particularly those in the magistrates’ courts, where over half (58%) have reported safety concerns. Senior coroners and area coroners have also expressed significant concern, pointing to the risks inherent in their work.
“The rise in physical safety concerns marks the more hostile environment judges are working in. The judiciary is not immune from external pressure and threats, which are unfortunately on the rise,” legal expert Dr. Hannah Ford remarked.
Aside from safety concerns, the survey also identifies a rise in bullying within the judiciary. Concerningly, bullying was reported by 14% of salaried judges and 7% of fee-paid judges in the past two years. However, over two-thirds of those who were bullied did not report the incidents, as many thought that it would not have any effect or were fearful of the consequences for their future careers. The rise in bullying is particularly concerning given the hierarchical nature of the judiciary, where power dynamics can exacerbate the problem.
Judges’ stress levels are also at a record high, with nearly all of the respondents admitting to having been stressed due to work. The most significant stressors, as per the survey, are workload pressures combined with case management demands. The family division judges are reporting the highest stress levels, with symptoms such as sleep disturbance (77%), irritability (57%), and headaches (52%) becoming common among incumbents.
The increased workload, which is exacerbated by chronic case backlogs, is starting to take a toll on judicial well-being. Over half of all judges (58%) say that they are struggling to achieve a work-life balance, with many being unable to take sufficient personal time due to the demands of the job. This, along with long hours and the emotional toll of handling sensitive cases, has resulted in widespread burnout.
“The stresses on judges are approaching breaking point. With growing case backlogs and mounting stress, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for judges to perform their role effectively without widespread support,” said Dr. Cate Walter, a leading health and safety consultant.
In addition to physical and emotional stress, financial grievances are also driving the unrest. Over half of magistrates’ courts district judges feel underpaid, which has contributed to morale issues in the judiciary. Judges are now planning to retire early, with more than 700 salaried judges from the survey findings indicating that they would leave their positions within the next five years, either through dissatisfaction with their pay or the pressures of their job.
Overwhelmed Justice System
This exodus of experienced judges poses a significant risk to the already overwhelmed justice system, which is battling a growing backlog of cases. Recruitment and retention of new judges have become pressing concerns, especially since fewer young professionals are interested in pursuing a career marred by stress, bullying, and absence of support.
Compounding these issues is the broader societal shift in attitudes towards the judiciary. According to the survey, nearly 60% of judges believe they are less respected by the public than they were just two years ago, reflecting a decline in confidence in the justice system.
Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, can be expected to address these issues when she appears before the House of Lords Constitution Committee this week. The problems facing the judiciary are considerable, and how and whether these simmering issues are to be addressed remains to be seen. What is not in doubt, however, is that the well-being of judges—and with it the integrity of the justice system—is at a crossroads.
With more judges considering early retirement and fewer individuals willing to fill vacancies on the bench, the long-term stability of the UK judiciary remains in jeopardy. How the government responds to these matters will not just determine the future of the judiciary but also the quality of justice in years to come.
For more details on the survey’s findings, see the UCL Judicial Institute and the UK Judicial Attitude Survey 2024.