Education · 1 of 4

The path

Become a lawyer, practise for a decade or two, then apply and wait.

1. 1

   Become a lawyer

   7 to 8 years

   Undergrad, the LSAT (law school admission test), a 3-year JD (juris doctor), then licensing.

2. 2

   Practise law

   10 to 20 years

   At least 10 years at the bar is the legal minimum for federal appointments and for most provincial courts. Litigators, Crowns, defence and family lawyers are the usual pool.

3. 3

   Build a reputation

   Throughout

   Committees ask judges and lawyers who know you. Volunteer work, teaching and bar association roles matter.

4. 4

   Apply

   6 months to years

   Provincial court: your province's judicial appointments committee. Superior courts: the federal judicial advisory committees run by the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs. The committee rates you; the government picks from the list.

5. 5

   Appointment

   Weeks

   The provincial cabinet or the federal Minister of Justice appoints you. Swearing-in, then judge training.