Assessment criteria, candidates for Federal Judicial Appointment

The following list of factors, though not exhaustive, is intended to provide a basis for assessing the suitability of candidates for judicial appointment.

Professional Competence & Experience

(While courtroom experience is an asset, it is only one of many factors which may be considered in assessing a candidate’s suitability for the role of judge.)

• general proficiency in the law
• intellectual ability
• analytical skills
• ability to listen
• ability to maintain an open mind while hearing all sides of an argument
• ability to make decisions
• capacity to exercise sound judgement
• reputation among professional peers and in the general community
• area(s) of professional specialization, specialized experience or special skills
• ability to manage time and workload without supervision
• capacity to handle heavy workload
• capacity to handle stress and pressures of the isolation of the judicial role
• interpersonal skills - with peers and the general public
• awareness of racial and gender issues
• bilingual ability

Personal Characteristics

• sense of ethics
• patience
• courtesy
• honesty
• common sense
• tact
• integrity
• humility
• punctuality
• fairness
• reliability
• tolerance
• sense of responsibility
• consideration for others

Potential Impediments to Appointment

• Any debilitating physical or mental medical condition, including drug or alcohol dependency, that would be likely to impair the candidate’s ability to perform the duties of a judge 
• Any past or current disciplinary actions or matters against the candidate
  
• Any current or past civil or criminal actions involving the candidate
• Financial difficulties including bankruptcy, tax arrears or arrears of child support payments

<< go back to 6. Assessments and confidentiality