Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) district, and (2) deputy district judges, are currently serving in magistrates' courts; and how many such judges they estimate will be appointed in 2015.

As at 31 December 2014, there were 137 District Judges (Magistrates’ Court) and 140 Deputy District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) in post. It is anticipated that the Judicial Appointments Commission will run a selection exercise for District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) later this year, but the number of vacancies is to be confirmed. There are currently no plans to run a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) selection exercise in 2015.