What this life looks like
You are the embodiment of justice. Judges preside over courts, hear evidence, interpret the law, and deliver judgments that can deprive people of their liberty, settle billion-dollar disputes, and shape the constitutional direction of a nation. It is one of the most respected positions in any society — and Africa urgently needs more women judges at every level of its court systems.
What she actually does
You manage courtroom proceedings, hear applications and full trials, evaluate evidence and credibility of witnesses, research and interpret applicable law, deliberate, and write reasoned judgments. At higher court levels, you also make precedent-setting decisions on constitutional and public law questions that shape the legal landscape for decades.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Magistrates Courts | Entry-level judicial appointments — magistrates handle the vast majority of African criminal and civil cases |
| High Courts | Superior court judges handling complex civil, criminal, and constitutional matters |
| Courts of Appeal | Appellate courts reviewing lower court decisions on law — highly influential positions |
| Supreme / Constitutional Courts | The highest national courts — landmark constitutional decisions made here |
Why it matters in Africa
Women remain significantly underrepresented on African court benches — particularly at appellate and supreme court levels. Increasing judicial diversity is not just a matter of fairness; it produces better, more representative justice. Africa's Constitutional and Supreme Court appointments have in recent years seen inspiring women appointed — from Justice Philomena Mwilu in Kenya to Justice Sisi Khampepe in South Africa.
Your pathway in
- Build an outstanding legal career first — judicial appointment requires significant experience and professional standing
- Study Law (LLB) and build 15--25 years of practice experience as a lawyer or prosecutor
- Apply or be nominated for judicial appointment through your country's Judicial Service Commission
- Consider academic distinction as an alternative pathway — some judges are appointed from academia
- Demonstrate judicial temperament throughout your career: impartiality, integrity, and intellectual rigour
Skills you will need
- Mastery of law and procedure
- Judicial writing
- Impartiality and independence
- Case management
- Listening and analytical ability
- Integrity
A woman in this field
Philomena Mwilu
Kenya
Philomena is the Deputy Chief Justice of Kenya and the first woman to hold this position. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2016, she has been at the forefront of some of Kenya's most consequential judicial decisions, including the landmark ruling nullifying the 2017 presidential election — a decision that demonstrated Kenya's judiciary's independence and set a precedent for electoral accountability across Africa. She is an inspiration for women aspiring to the highest levels of the judiciary.
Take your first step
- Research the judicial appointment process in your country — who appoints judges? What criteria apply? How are they vetted?
- Read landmark judgments from your country's Supreme or Constitutional Court — this is the best way to understand judicial reasoning
- Research women judges in your country's court system — find the stories of women who have broken judicial glass ceilings
- Study the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct — the international standard for judicial ethics and independence
Careers close to this one
- Lawyer
- Prosecutor
- Constitutional Lawyer
- Magistrate
- Arbitrator