Who Is A Judge?
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges.
How To Become A Judge In Uganda
Qualifications, Skills &Experience:
- The Candidates should be Ugandans who. possess an Honours LLB degree from a recognized University/ Institution. and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Law Development Centre.
- Any relevant post graduate qualification. is an added advantage.
- Age: 25 Years and above.
What Qualifications Do You Need To Be A Judge In Uganda?
You normally have to be a qualified legal professional, with at least 7 years’ experience in law-related work to join. If you have been on the Judicial Work Shadowing Scheme, you can apply for a place on the Judicial Mentoring Scheme.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Judge In Uganda?
To earn a position of a judge, it takes four years of undergrad education, three years of law school, and typically two or more years of actively practicing law as a lawyer.
Can I Become Judge After LLB In Uganda?
Qualifications to Become a Judge in Supreme Court
Must have an LLB/LLM degree. He/She should have been a judge of a High Court for at least 5 years or he/she should have been an advocate of a High Court for 10 years.
Who Is A Grade One Magistrate In Uganda?
These courts are presided over by Grade I Magistrates who must be qualified lawyers (Law Degree and a Diploma in Legal Practice). They are ordinarily situated at the district headquarters. Their criminal jurisdiction is limited to offences whose maximum penalty is not death or life imprisonment.
Can I Become A Judge Without Being A Lawyer In Uganda?
But you dont have to practice law to become judge there are various states’ Judicial service examination conducted by the respective high court to become a Civil judge or judicial magistrate. Or Higher Judicial services exam after having not less than 7 years of experience in litigation before a high court.
How Do You Become A High Court Judge In Uganda?
A person with five years experience as a Judge of High Court or 15 years experience as advocate of High Court is eligible to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
Tasks To Become A Judge In Uganda
1. Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
2. Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
3. Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
4. Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.
5. Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
6. Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.
7. Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
8. Write decisions on cases.
9. Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
10. Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.
11. Settle disputes between opposing attorneys.
12. Impose restrictions upon parties in civil cases until trials can be held.
13. Provide information regarding the judicial system or other legal issues through the media and public speeches.
14. Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.
15. Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
16. Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses.
17. Participate in judicial tribunals to help resolve disputes.
18. Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
19. Supervise other judges, court officers, and the court’s administrative staff.
Key Knowledge Areas To Become A Judge In Uganda
1. Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
2. English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
3. Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
4. Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
5. Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
6. Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
7. Sociology and Anthropology — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Skills To Become A Judge In Uganda
1. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
2. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
3. Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
4. Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
5. Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
6. Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
7. Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
8. Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
9. Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
10. Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
11. Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
12. Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
13. Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
14. Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
15. Time Management — Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
16. Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
17. Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Who Heads The High Court In Uganda?
Justice Flavian Zeija
The current Principal Judge of Uganda is Justice Flavian Zeija. The High Court has the following eight divisions: (a) Anti-Corruption Division (b) Civil Division (c) Commercial Division (d) Criminal Division (e) Execution and Bailiffs Division (f) Family Division (g) International Crimes Division and (h) Land Division.
What Is A Magistrate Court In Uganda?
A Chief Magistrates Court is presided over by a Chief Magistrate who possesses a law degree. This court tries all cases except those (for criminal cases) whose maximum penalty is death- section 161 (1) (a) i.e. a Chief Magistrate may also pass any sentence authorized by law except a death sentence.
How Do I Prepare For The Judge Exam?
- Select the States You Wish to Appear For.
- See Question Paper of Previous Years.
- Read Bare Acts Several Times.
- In Bare Acts Focus on ‘May’ and ‘Shall’.
- Know Where to Give Less Time.
- Understand Where to Focus More.