How is work-life balance, stress and workload as a judicial magistrate in lower judiciary, be it civil judge to District judge. Is the job really great if one wants to live a good life and time for family and maybe friends. What are real restrictions they have.
An insight and comparison with other famous law grad careers like corporate, litigation, academia, etc, will be very helpful

Yes, you need to be abusive to make your mark anywhere these days, as you yourself clearly show.
@Moderator: What's with this new found tolerance for actually abusive words in the comments? Or don't you actually consider this one to be abusive at all? I've seen multiple comments here over the past few months using this word with impunity. Didn't know that it is now counted as a mild abuse like idiot or stupid. Does this mean all anatomical references are now open game?

Work life balance: what's that ? You remain in the court atleast till 6 PM in the evenings. You come back home only to understand what the advocates have argued in the morning. You finish your work anytime between 9pm and 1 am in the night.

More than 80 percent of the advocates do not know the law themselves and this aggravates the life of an already average judicial officer. They throw random sections and case laws at the trial court judges and make a request that the matter be disposed of on merits.

Please also note that the job of a magistrate requires him/her to be available in the station 24 7 to make sure the so called offenders are produced before him/her within a span of twenty hours. Then, there are the requests for recording a dying declaration at odd hours. At times, when you have a big government hospital close by, you may end up receiving requests even at 11pm in the night.

We often think it is the judiciary that is the reason for delay in disposal of cases. But, that is just one side of a coin. Advocates request adjournments in 90 percent of the matters even when the cases are five years old. Despite knowing the cases to be devoid of merit, advocates file cases only to strike a forced compromise out of the court. Also, they create fake and concocted stories only to delay the proceedings and file random miscellaneous petitions in every second case. If you dispose of such petitions swiftly, they take them up in appeal and delay the proceedings on this pretext for another three months.

You are likely to be perplexed in the first six months because you end up giving adjournments till 11.30 am. Most of the advocates do not argue and file necessary documents unless the matter is atleast four years old. If you insist on completion of trial, they end up taking the pretext of the case being a relatively new one.

Most importantly, you may be asked to make arrangements for the private trips of high court judges whenever they visit a famous place in your station. Be prepared to receive brickbats even if the security officer of visiting high court judge does not get proper food to eat. One of my friends was pulled up for not accommodating a high court judge's security guard in a proper room.

Above all, be prepared to be stationed in towns and enjoy pathetic infrastructure. The building you would sit in would barely be habitable.

So what? If you doing your job properly makes others protest, then the problem lies with them and not you. If you choose to take the easy way out instead, then you are welcome to do so, but then you must also shoulder the responsibility for having done so. Doing the right thing is never easy.

See, judiciary has tag of a 'sarkari Naukri'. I won't discuss about the Judiciary lifetsyle which 'please' has already highlighted. I will try to discuss on this sarkari naukri charm as a whole.

Let me explain the factors which are majorly responsible for charm of any government job:-

1] Introduction of LPGs: - Before 1990s we did not have many MNC Culture Jobs.
Most of our fathers were either -
Type 'A' - government servants (10%)
Type 'B' - professionals (CAs/Advocates/Doctors) (10%) OR
Type 'C' - were running businesses/self-employed/agriculturists (70%) [please note that for sake of discussion it includes BPL population].

Economy was also small. Not many could afford luxury of a car or fridge. The Type B and Type C often struggled in shops (who have become much richer through the years now) and looked to lives of Type 'A' people with ambassador and padmini cars. Even Today business or proffesion is not very stable. I am sure we all have heard of any acqutaince whose business has hit rock-bottom due to pandemic. Infact, the EdTech bubble is now starting to burst as educational institutions have reopened. In short, stability and job-security.

2] Access to information :- Before the internet, smartphone & Jio tetrad though there was access to information but still a lot of people did not know simple things like 'how to become an IAS' . Now we have whole NCERTs , NEET and JEE syllabus uploaded on youtube and other websites. Access to education and information has become very very fast and cheap. Also, population was also comparitively low. Today most of indian population is youth and there is scarcity in market. There is job crisis. we all want the best job , best apartment , best partner and best money. Youth are doing anything to get settled in life.

3]Indian Society: Study between 21-23 , Stable Job between 24-26, Marriage between 26-29 , first child between 30-34 and second child between 35-40. That is how indian society works. So, the JEE/IAS/Judiciary syncs perfectly with the demands of indian society. Its a lot tougher to get married later (doubly challenging if you are trying to find a partner of your caste). So, matrimonial value of judiciay is much much higher. In contrast, if you are an advocate then you will have a tough time setting up a practise or even getting married at the right age after that. It maybe a different story if you are in law firm. Often they get someone with similar job profile.

4] Education Industry: Given the huge population of India and the young population, we know that education industry is a big big business. Coachings, Booksellers do promote the hype. Remember till 2012/2013 JEE was a big 'fad' ? Everyone wanted to join Bansal/FIITJEE and become an IITian without assessing their caliber. (Not saying IITs are not a good.One of the best in India). And in ny government exam applications are 20x the actual vacancies. The unsuccessful aspirants having experience often open coaching and teach well. A man has to eat?

5]Social Media: Instagram and youtube shorts are littered with videos like 'Your entry after becoming IAS' . When we are 18-19 our minds are very impressionable. We immediately get swayed away by these posts and talks. Most of these instagram pages are being run by shopkeepers and photocopy people. I know one book seller personally who had set up a state psc group early in 2012 and it has over 30k members now. Whenever he gets a new book , he posts in group.

But yes, it is a stable job with life of isolation (or peace?). There is respect, if you care. There are many other heirarchial politics and other things which can cause stress. You will really write judgments till 10 pm at night.

This is very true. Once I appeared before a Magistrate holding court in a nearly broken building and top it all, there was a power cut that continued for really long. The poor judge was working with emergency torch/light. While HC/SC judges get 10 acre bungalows and uninterrupted supply of every and all amenities. Not that they should not get all this. They certainly should and must but the level of discrimination in the standards of living/working between Judges of lower courts and higher courts is mind boggling. Remember that a judge is a judge. In court they do the same work - dispensation of justice. Only because one sits in appeal over the other, does not make him/her a higher being. At least give adequate facilities to district courts.

Dude that's nothing I practice here at lucknow, yesterday I went to assist my senior in a really influential pocso matter and in the middle of cross examination of IO, there was power cut three times. And judge was using his phone's torch to see the docs,lol. This is the sad state of affairs in this country. Becoming a judge is pathetic actually, you will live a stressed subpar life in some pathetic tier2-3 town with legit no infra. Becoming a lawyer is much better.

It's not easy. As you have seen.

I want to show another aspect of this - Lack of Opportunities. Lower Judiciary Judge's don't have opportunities for Career progression. And you are strictly controlled by Nepotistic High Court Judges. You are under the control of Nepotistic Judge's of High Court.

Even if you are the best Lower Judiciary Judge. Going to the High Court or Supreme court is extremely less because of Rabid Nepotism.

Nepotism rules the Higher Judiciary of India.

Even if you work super hard and efficiently. The next High Court and Supreme court judges will be - Abhinav/Chintan Chandrachud, Anaheeta Nariman or some (enter name of) random judges children.

NOT YOU. NEVER YOU.

You are a Judicial Officer. Max you will retire as a Principle District Judge as a lapdog of High Court Nepotism judge.

Chandrachud, Nariman, Gogoi, Bobde and Lalit's Children has reserved seats in High Court and Supreme Court. NOT YOU.

They know that and you know that.

If this nepotism stops. And HC/SC Judge's are appointed on basis of merit (from promotion of lower Judiciary judges) - this will change for ever.

I hope Kian doesn't censor this.

I was a junior to a Senior Advocate. Now working as a CJM in a run down town.

You nailed it CJM Sir. I could not gather the courage to be so open. Judiciary and litigation is full of nepotism and favoritism. Even in litigation you dont get cases to maintain your office expenses or family for many years. Some people call it luck. I like to call it God. If God supports you then you may do well.

Responding to comment 6.1
I am the CJM Guy who commented there.

😭

I wish I could talk openly.

If I tell that comment in public. I would be dismissed by the high court. We are slaves of the High Court. Here on LI, anyone can tell - even a Judicial Officer.

Even the slightest criticism against these nepotistic thugs will destroy our future.

Another point I would like to add is that inHCs the ratio of elevated vs. promoted is almost50:50. That is, 50% are elevated directly from Bar and rest are promoted. So career progression is there. You also have inter-departmental exams to jump directly to District Judge Cadre but it is really tough to crack.

But yes, there are lack of opportunities. Consider this scene, you are 26-27 and selected and after 4 years you are 30-31 and want to resign and do something else due to any of the reasons mentioned in this thread. After such gap it will be very very tough for you to set up practise or join a law firm. When you join and serve as a judge Your social capital becomes zero due to Code of conduct. Didn't you ignore all your relative's and friend's calls and invities to functions? Second reason is, the job is transferable and majority of indian districts are small tier 2 /3 districts. Yes you get a decent pay but at what cost? You cant post selfies or dance. Judiciary is such a risky post that sometimes Judges are scared to even text back 'A' to anyone. I have heard from someone close. A single text back to someone can cause enquiry or complaint to HC on ground of corruption or favoritism.

And here's the catch - we all make mistakes and sometimes gross mistakes. In enquiry your worst mistakes will be shown to you and you will be asked 'Why did you pass such an absurd order? Are you related to accused/plaintiff/defendant ? Why was mr X bailed out? Why is there pendency in your court? Why no evidence has been taken in case no. 2021? did you talk to mr X when you attended marriage of your cousin? Show us your bank passbook by next week.' Show cause !

Exactly.

But these rascal Nepotistic High Court judges can mingle with criminals, politicians and mafia guys. We, in the lower Judiciary is scrutinized for everything.

Wish I was born into the Chandrachud/Lalit/Bobde Clan.

One day, I wish three nepotism and family based appointment stops in the Indian Higher Judiciary.

Bro majority service judges are beyond pathetic, because guys like you are failed advocates. And failed advocates never make good judges, we still have reasonable no of service judges in high court and most of them are pathetic. Judges need to be appointed from among good lawyers only, this concept of having an exam is just stupid, no civilised country follows it.

All well and good, then how do you explain the elevation of NLS alumni to HC judgeships? Across KarHC, CalHC etc. We've lost count now of the number of Senior Counsel designations by SC/HC of NLU alumni (NLS/Nalsar/NUJS). So you can't just say "there's no meritocracy". In fact, some NLU graduates who joined as subordinate judges have resigned and (re)turned to chamber practice in Delhi/Bombay.

I am a judicial officer.

My relationship was destroyed because of this crappy job.

My girlfriend works in the financial sector in a major city. She was there for me even when I was a bankrupt law graduate working for 10K per month.

I got Judicial Services. Now breakup happened because of my future prospects which is a big barrier on her life. Because almost majority of my life I will have to work in rural towns (outside Mumbai)

As a judicial officer, you will be transferred throughout your life. And will never have a family life.

Your spouse will never get a good job in these shitty horrible small towns.

Kiss good bye to your husband or wifes career if you become a judicial officer.

Horrible transfers throughout your life.

Easier said than done. First crack the exam and then analyse these things. And if you crack it, you won’t regret it for a second.

And comm’on what are we even comparing such an elite post as a judge with- being a corporate lawyer!!! Like seriously!! Request to all the corporate lawyers here (majority population is such on LI), grow outside your slave hours and pedigree for six figure salary and bonus. The world is much bigger than that. Its awesome out there! Just have the courage.

And do you really think, apply common sense; that a CJM (quite a senior post) or any other judicial officer is coming here to answer your queries. Filter the information accordingly, you are smart enough. Don’t believe in hearsay. Because mostly lies have been spread and corporate culture has been glorified.

Also on a side note, don’t just look at the salary of a judge. You get ‘n’ number of facilities, housing (basic expenses covered) and a lot more things. If you add up all those things in terms of money, a judge salary would come out to be more than your corporate salary. A man of limited means can be very happy and healthy in that. Obviously you can’t go to Paris or fancy USA/ Europe trip with that, but then when you retire you will really cherish your the respect you earned and the family time you got. And it’s a lie that you can’t go to family function or social gathering. Go anywhere you want spend time with family and friends, just maintain the decency of the position you are holding. Be honest with your service.

And dude don’t even compare your corporate hours with a judge. He gets a steno, a typist and men to take care of him. And in lower judiciary it is not very hectic as some of the comments have tried to project. You sit at 10am and back home by 5:30pm. Files and judgment work are not every day thing as most are dictated in court. In any case, at an odd day, that too when you grow to senior position you will be required to put in 2-3 hours at home. But not more than that.

Small city big city debate is non-sensical. You live in India. Hardly 10 cities in India can be said to match that so called big city standard.

So weigh your priorities and choices accordingly. Go and speak to actual judges and not anonymous people like us on LI.

Easier said than done.

Well, nobody said Judiciary or any other government exam is easy. More so in a country whwre recruitment to even 11 posts attracts 3 lakhs applications. You reiterated what others said. The charm of government job- Brain drain and waste of best career years!

And comm’on what are we even comparing such an elite post as a judge with- being a corporate lawyer!!!

So, corporate lawyers or lawyers are low in intelligence? Well, what to say. About Judges being elite class, that is only for HCs and District Judges, which will take a life time to reach. Often judges and magistrates get selected after reading whatever is possible in time crunch due to upcoming vacancies whereas a lawyer prepares a case from every nook and corner. Atleast in trial judiciary presiding officers are humbled by knowledge of advocates.

This thinking of Judges being "Elite" is what adds to charm of government jobs. Well, you have your right. Social Justice in India is a myth due to ingrained psychology of indian people.

Because mostly lies have been spread and corporate culture has been glorified.

Exactly how is being C-C glorified? I don't see any firm putting out banners or adverts that they are giving best lifestyle.
No one is naive. Students do internships and get first hand experience.

don’t just look at the salary of a judge. You get ‘n’ number of facilities, housing (basic expenses covered) and a lot more things. If you add up all those things in terms of money, a judge salary would come out to be more than your corporate salary.

Please Compare in hand to in hand. Otherwise we should compare CTC of corporate job to these facilities of a judge. Oh, I forgot to add the cost of chair and A/C given in law firms.

And it’s a lie that you can’t go to family function or social gathering.

No one ever said that you can't go. But thyou bave to report to senior judges when you leave district. Your work will be such that you wont get much opportunities to attend. You will distance yourself from relatives as they will try to exploit/misuse your powers.

And dude don’t even compare your corporate hours with a judge. He gets a steno, a typist and men to take care of him. And in lower judiciary it is not very hectic as some of the comments have tried to project. You sit at 10am and back home by 5:30pm.

Staff is available everywhere.
About workload- A lot depends on district and your portfolio allotment . It is rotational. These days 138 cases are on rise. If you get alloted such class of cases then you have to study and work much harder. On the flip side, if you get core civil cases cadre , these days there are not much cases. Workload will be variable.

Small city big city debate is non-sensical. You live in India. Hardly 10 cities in India can be said to match that so called big city standard.

Not non-sensical, practical. Like you said, 98% districts are small town with less than adequate medical and educational facilities. Often we have aging parents or pregnant wives to look after. School education of children to look after.

Sincerely,

Are you the guy who was so vehemently defending judiciary in the UPSC v. judiciary thread? Because that's what this sounds like as well.

And, not to hurt anyone's sentiments, but a CJM isn't that much of a "senior post" that you can't even expect them to comment here lmao

Total bruh moment.

I've been litigating for longer than you have been in law school, buddy. CJM being a post below "District Court Judge" (whatever you may want that term to mean) does not establish that CJM is a "senior post". Sure, he's the head of judicial magistracy in the district -- but senior? Come on. Let's be more mature than that. :) In any case, where do you imagine Asst./Addl. DJs fitting in?

Let us also be more honest to ourselves. "Senior post" is only DJ and above.

As for my doubts regarding you being the person in the UPSC v. judiciary thread, they stand confirmed -- the language, the knowledge, the unfounded fascination with lower judiciary is unmatchable.

To support my POV , here's what Hon'ble CJI said about life as a Juge on saturday :

The CJI said that over the years, he built his career and life around people. But after joining the bench, one has to give up his social connections.

"Over the years, I had built my career and life around the people. But, I knew, if one chooses to cross over to the other side of the bar and join the bench, one has to give up all his social connections. For years together, the life of judge is spent in isolation and social alienation", he said.

Link to article : https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/i-was-keen-on-joining-active-politics-but-destiny-desired-otherwise-chief-justice-of-india-nv-ramana-204576

Screensot [img]https://imgur.com/a/6E3mQtF[/img]

My two cents as a son of judge who retired as PDJ. Carrying out your work with full integrity and honesty will be made difficult by others if they think you will outsmart them someday or do them no favors. That includes cadre senior judges including in HC who will have administrative control over work and who decide promotions, transfers and at times departmental inquiries against complaints (expect tons of such complaints if you are upright and throw out non-sensical lits or don't accommodate unnecessary requests from senior lawyers (read as old timers and not 'senior-senior') of the bar.

Transfer is a rule all the way until you are elevated to HC. From a magistrate to principal district judge. Everyone gets transferred every 2 or max 3 years. This rotation system ensures judges remain impartial and do not become integrated into the place and society where they have to discharge judicial and constitutional duties, you guessed it, with impartiality. Until you are in the DJ cadre, expect to be transferred to any town or city or metro - size is not a criteria. Once in the DJ cadre, you will have postings in the district headquarters. For you and your family, 'transfer is a rule' system can be pretty nasty. Kids will grow up without a fixed set of friends, repeated changes to schools and limited friends outside school in the judges quarters or government colonies. Social life for spouse and kids will be no-where near normal.

There are a few deputation opportunities for non-judicial work that open up after 15-20 years of service. High Courts have huge administrative set up manned by judges drawn from district judiciary. Taking those assignments will land you good promotions if you know it well that HC judges will watch you closely. Of these lot, many end up being caught in 'chaplusi' culture to grow whether like it or not. Another avenue is Law Department of State Government where Law Secretary is usually a senior District Judge. Well, keep in mind that you will be reporting to a political boss - Law Minister - in this and other administratively junior roles. Some can capitalize this well but most will struggle in this type of role after more than two decades doing Judicial work where there is none to boss over you on your judicial work (disgruntled party has to appeal against your judicial order but none should, will or can tell you what to do in any matter). You will get an SUV and massive bungalow when you become the DJ but until then it is a pool car or transport allowance with a relatively large (not necessarily nicer than average) house depending on which state you are in. If you make it to the DJ cadre and have reasonably good reputation for your work, expect post retirement extensions as deputations as Jt. Commissioner of Charities, President of District Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums and other quasi-judicial tribunals or government bodies. That is additional 5 years after retirement from Judiciary. Again, remember you will no longer be part of judiciary and will be in a regular government hierarchy where the ultimate boss is a politician at the state level.

Overall, go for it if you are passionate about being a Judge and being able to make a difference to the personal lives of thousands of people who will come to you expecting justice. Be ready to pay the price: unable to connect well with social fabric of the society for you and family; and some times end up comparing yourself against civil servants who may have to, and will, show a great respect to you when running into you but will be living more lavish lifestyles than you and your family.

As for me - I ended up in an NLU, worked at a law firm and bolted out of India to work elsewhere - something my daddy DJ and mom never thought. Good luck!

Far better than other service how look by an exmple -

1. My friends brother in RJS posted just next to his home district.

2. His in-hand pay right now is somewhere around Rs.1.08 - 1.10 lpm with official quarter + two orderly servent + one car his owm + other perks

3. Except minor tax deductions & minor household items he didn't have much other expenses coz he get all eatble (he is vegan) items from his home.

4. So he save alot and recently purcahse a beautiful home in Mumbai (plan to upgrade in ADJ cadre) + whenever vacation hit he either found travel to foreign or some hotspot tourist spot of india.

Now this is a common life for many judicial officers especially who get posted in village type areas

Firstly, serving judges cannot appear for ADJ exams. Cannot move to other state without resigning from service. Also, the work experience does not count towards litigation so not eligible for ADJ cadre.

Secondly, the nearby home posting is temporary and one has to work in every nook and corners of the state. Why do you think people prefer DJS. This is the only benefit in DJS now after 2nd NJPC

Hi
I am a Civil Judge myself. Its been around 2 years I am in the service and I pretty much understand the curiosity around lifestyle and pay scale of a judicial officer, work life balance, pros and cons.

Work Life balance
See, the initial 1 year is going to be a bit hectic as you will be learning everything from the scratch. Starting from the functioning of how exactly a court works to how to handle the advocates to handling your court staff, reading hefty files in Hindi, to handling other court administrative work. You will be the master of your court. Everything might feel intimidating at first because you won't be hanging with people your age, you will be ordering people of your fathers age. But once you get hold of such things its a cake walk, trust me. Most of the things are repetitive. So work life balance is a solid 4/5 here.

Stress/Workload
There's stress and there's workload but its all about time management Once your learn that most of the things are doable. I would give it a 3/5 for stress.

Family life/Social life

Family life ain't that great here. I literally have to wait for the weekends to go out, eat junkies and meet my friends and family. I make a list of everything I need so i can go for grocery shopping in the weekend. As a judge you can't socialize a lot with general public. I have been given strict instructions to avoid going to this famous salon near my house and not been caught eating pani puris in public. I am crying while writing this.
This is by far the biggest con of the service. If you are someone who loves to go out and make friends you should consider joining this service.

Job Security

My job comes with great security until and unless you are caught taking bribe. Still better than the corp sec for sure.

Pay

I earn around 1,50,000 a month which is more than enough considering I am posted in a tehsil.

Holiday

15 days vacation (summer+winter)

13 Days CL

3 Days OL
30 Days EL

Protocol

Judiciary has a lot of protocol. Boy, I can have a whole rant session on that but lets leave it. Its strict man, its strict.

Conclusion

You chose your battles buddy. If your priorities are having a stable life, money which comes with a cost of living in a tier 3 city or may be village and you are okay with not socializing a lot. This service is great. Oh one more thing, judiciary gives sooooo much respect man, people salute you and respect you all the times.