What Do I Call the Judge?

Normally you will not be expected to speak directly to a Judge in court.  This is because your barrister will normally speak on your behalf.  Even if you are a witness that is giving evidence, it will normally be the barristers asking you questions rather than the Judge.

As a result, it is unlikely that you will have to worry about what to call the Judge. In case you do, there are lots of different types of Judges in England and Wales, and so there are lots of different ways to address them. Fortunately, there are only two courts which are likely to be relevant for construction, engineering, and property-related disputes: the County Court and the High Court.

 The Golden Rule

The most important thing to remember is that no Judge is going to expect you to call them the correct name.  Judges know that you are not a lawyer and that you will be nervous about being in court. 

As long as you use a formal and polite name, they will be happy. 

So if you are worried about getting it wrong, or forgetting the correct name, then the golden rule is to just call them what they are: “Judge”.  For example:

• “Yes Judge”

• “Thank you Judge”

• “Judge, could I please just say something which you might find useful?”

• “That isn’t correct, Judge”.

What do I call a County Court Judge?

Most claims are dealt with in the County Court.  Judges in the County Court are either addressed as:

• “Judge” if they are a type of Judge known as a Deputy District Judge;

• “Judge” if they are a type of Judge known as a District Judge; and

• “Your Honour” if they are a ore senior type of Judge known as a Circuit Judge.

You can ask your barrister (or the court staff, if you do not have a barrister) before going in to court which type of Judge you have.

For example, when talking to the Judge in a County Court, you might say:

• “Yes Your Honour”

• “Thank you, Your Honour”

•  “Your Honour, could I please just say something which you might find useful?”

•  “That isn’t correct, Your Honour”.

  What do I call a High Court Judge?

Some claims - usually those that are more complex or involve large sums of money - are dealt with in the High Court.  Judges in the High Court are either addressed as:

• “Judge” if they are a type of Judge known as a Master;

• “Registrar” if they are a type of Judge known as a Registrar;

• “My Lord” if they are a male High Court Judge; and

•  “My Lady” if they are a female High Court Judge.

For example, when talking to the Judge in the High Court, you might say:

• “Yes My Lord”

• “Thank you, My Lady”

• “My Lady, could I please just say something which you might find useful?”

•  “That isn’t correct, My Lord”.

 Summary

In the majority of cases:

• in the County Court, use “Judge” or “Your Honour”, depending on the type of Judge; and

• in the High Court, use “My Lord” or “My Lady”, depending on whether the Judge is male or female.

If all else fails, follow the golden role and just use “Judge” (or some other polite term, such as “sir” or “madam”).

 If you need to speak to someone about being represented in court, click here to contact Hamshaw.