At Tree Law, we are proud to work alongside professionals who bring both legal expertise and real-world perspective to their roles. Helen Wilson, Managing Partner at Tree Law Ltd and Deputy District Judge (Wales Circuit), shares her journey into the judiciary, the realities of the role, and her advice for those considering a similar path.
Her reflections offer a grounded and insightful look at what it truly means to sit on the bench, balancing legal rigour with human understanding.
Helen Wilson, Managing Partner (Tree Law Ltd) and Deputy District Judge (Wales Circuit), talks to Legal Women UK about her career at the judiciary
When I first applied to join the Judiciary, my motivation was a fairly practical one. I wanted to become a better Litigator. At the time, I was in a relatively Senior Position in a Top 10 firm of Solicitors that I had been with for over 10 years.
I believed that if I truly understood what it was like to sit on the other side of the bench; weighing evidence, managing hearings, making decisions under pressure, I would provide a better service to my clients and be more useful to my firm. It felt like a way of improving my professional toolkit rather than a fundamental shift in direction.
What I did not anticipate was how quickly that motivation would evolve.
Almost from the outset, judging reignited my love of the Law. After many years in specialist practice, I had become highly experienced in procedure and in a narrow field of the law, but stepping into the Judicial role required me to revisit and learn different areas of Civil Law in depth. I found that process genuinely fascinating. It reminded me why I went into Law in the first place – not just to win cases, but to understand how legal principles operate in real life and affect real people.
Perhaps most importantly, I discovered a profound sense of satisfaction in resolving disputes and bringing proceedings to a conclusion for people who had often been living with stress, uncertainty, and conflict for a long time. That sense of purpose has stayed with me ever since.
Applying at the “Right” Time — Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It
I applied for Judicial Appointment in early 2018, while I was on maternity leave. At that point, I had been qualified for around 13 years and had spent 12 of those years practising exclusively in Litigation.
In truth, had I not been on maternity leave, it is unlikely I would have applied at that time. Like many busy practitioners, I struggled to find uninterrupted space to reflect, research the role properly, and prepare an application. Maternity leave, although demanding in entirely different ways, gave me the breathing room to sit down and think carefully about what the role involved and whether it might be right for me.
That timing also coincided with a concerted effort by the JAC to encourage more women to consider Judicial Careers. I attended an event at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff, which was exceptionally well attended and deeply inspiring. Hearing women speak openly about their experience of the Judiciary, how they applied, how they balanced work and family life, and what the role truly involved, made the possibility feel tangible rather than abstract.
It is easy to assume that Judicial Office is something you do later, when everything else is perfectly aligned. My experience was the opposite. The opportunity presented itself during a period of significant personal and professional change, and had I waited for a “quieter” moment, I may never have applied at all.
The Reality of First Sitting — and the Importance of Support
Like most new appointees, I was nervous ahead of my first sitting. That anxiety, however, was alleviated by the quality of the training and the support I received.
The preparation provided through the Judicial Appointments Commission Training was excellent, but what made the real difference was the collegiate culture on the Welsh Circuit. My sitting-in days were spent with a highly experienced judge who was approachable, practical, and refreshingly down to earth. I was encouraged to ask questions, talk through decisions, and seek guidance when unfamiliar issues arose.
Every Judge I spoke to was generous with their time and advice, offering practical tips on managing hearings, dealing with unexpected developments, and knowing when (and how) to ask for judicial guidance. That sense of collective responsibility and mutual support made the transition into the role far less daunting than I had feared.
Expanding into Family Financial Remedies
When I was first appointed, I sat exclusively in the Civil Jurisdiction. I was pleased not to receive a family ticket initially, as it allowed me to build confidence in an area I already understood while adjusting to the judicial role itself.
However, I have always been someone who likes to challenge myself. After a few years, I felt ready to broaden my judicial work and experience the full scope of a District Judge’s role. Given my background in Financial Litigation, applying for training in Family Financial Remedy work felt like a natural progression.
By that stage, I had also been through my own divorce. Although it was largely uncontested, it gave me valuable insight into the court process from the perspective of a court user. Experiencing first-hand the emotional weight that accompanies financial separation reinforced my belief that empathy, alongside legal rigour, is critical in Judicial decision-making.
Once again, the training and mentoring were exemplary. I undertook further sitting-in days to ensure that I could deal confidently with live cases, and the support from fellow Judges throughout that process was invaluable.
What the Work is Really Like
One of the questions I am most often asked is what types of cases I see, or whether there is a “typical” judicial day. The honest answer is that no two days are ever the same.
I regularly deal with Litigants in Person, complex Financial Disputes, procedural challenges, and emotionally charged hearings. Each case brings its own facts, personalities, and pressures. Even where the law is well established, every case must be assessed on its own merits, and every decision carries weight for the people involved.
That variety is one of the aspects of judging I enjoy most. The intellectual challenge of cutting through complexity, the responsibility of decision-making, the independence of the role, and the opportunity to ensure that parties feel heard, all contribute to the satisfaction I derive from the work.
The Quiet Moments That Matter Most
Some of the most rewarding moments in judging are also the quietest.
Watching the relief on people’s faces when a long-running dispute finally concludes, even where the outcome is not in their favour, is something that stays with you. Parties often want to feel that their case has been understood and taken seriously. A well-reasoned judgment that acknowledges why proceedings were brought can provide a sense of closure and, in some cases, comfort.
Those moments reinforce the importance of careful, considered decision-making and clear communication. Judging is not about perfection; it is about fairness, transparency, and respect for the process.
The Challenges — and Being Honest About Them
There is no denying that judging can be exhausting. It is intellectually demanding and emotionally taxing, and it is possible to finish a day both satisfied and utterly drained.
I have seen the impact that complex cases, particularly in the Family Jurisdiction, can have even on the most experienced Judges. That is why judicial collegiality matters so much. Being part of a supportive and cohesive circuit, where colleagues are willing to talk through difficult days or challenging issues, is invaluable. It reminds you that you are not carrying the weight of decisions alone.
We are all human. While judicial decisions are grounded firmly in Law and Evidence, Judges are not immune to the emotions that surround the cases we hear. Acknowledging that reality, and having mechanisms to process it, is essential to sustaining the role long-term.
Balancing judicial responsibilities with a demanding day job also presents challenges, particularly for those in senior leadership positions. As a Managing Partner of a growing firm, there are times when competing demands require careful planning and honest conversations. That balance is not always easy, but for me, the rewards of the Judicial role far outweigh the difficulties it creates.
Finding Space to Reflect and Decompress
Managing the emotional and intellectual demands of judging requires conscious effort. For me, reflection and decompression are essential.
The journey home from court, accompanied by music and the scenery of Wales, provides space to mentally close the day. Others will find their own methods; exercise, conversation, or quiet time. There is no single right approach, but recognising the need for decompression is important.
Advice for Those Considering the Judiciary
If you are considering a career in the judiciary, my advice is simple: go for it.
Start by sitting in at your local court. Reach out to Judges who already do the job, most are happy to share their experiences. If you do not know anyone personally, attend public hearings and observe from the back of the courtroom. Seeing the role in action will tell you far more than any guidance document ever could.
There is a perception that you must fit a particular mould to become a Judge. In reality, eligibility begins at five years’ post-qualification experience, and what matters most is relevant experience and the ability to demonstrate the competencies required for appointment.
You do not need to be a Barrister. You do not need to have been privately educated. You do not need to have followed a traditional path. The Judiciary is strongest when it reflects the diversity of the profession it serves, across background, route to qualification, and lived experience. Everything else can be learned once you are in post.
Apply Before You Feel Ready
There is a well-documented tendency for women to hold back from applying for roles unless they feel they meet every criterion. My experience, and observation, is that waiting for complete readiness often means missing opportunities.
If you apply and are not successful the first time, that is not failure. It is part of the learning process. Each application teaches you something about yourself, the role, and how to strengthen your candidacy. Progress is rarely linear, and growth often comes from the attempt itself.
Judging is a fulfilling, intellectually stimulating, and meaningful role. It has enriched my professional life in ways I did not anticipate when I first applied, and I would wholeheartedly encourage others to consider whether it might do the same for them.
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