I've always enjoyed being with other people and I suppose I've always had a strong opinion about what s wrong and what is right, ever since I was a very young child. That used to irritate my brothers and sisters because I would always tell our parents if they did something wrong. I remember they had secrets that they wouldn't share with me and probably missed out on a lot because of that. Not that I blame them.
When I finished school, I actually studied history at university and then, in my final year, I had a work placement in a lawyer's office. I was fascinated from day one and, as soon as I graduated, I applied to do a degree in law. I don't know why I hadn't thought of this earlier, but I was certain I would love to be a judge one day.
Several years have gone by and I am still very fond of my job. I'm keen on fighting for justice, no matter what kind of case it is. Being a judge Is not an easy profession, I must admit.
It can be really challenging at times not to get emotionally involved. In most cases it helps if you just follow your head and not your heart when you can't make up your mind. The working hours are quite long and not all judges earn a lot of money. But for me, choosing an occupation was never about the financial aspect.
When a court case is finished and I am confident that I have made the right decision, I am relieved. Knowing that people guilty of crimes will end up in prison and society will be a bit safer tomorrow could not make me any happier. However, I make it a personal rule not to take my work home with me. Once I leave the court, I switch off and concentrate on my family. They will always be my number one priority. When I'm at home, I'm no longer a judge; I'm a husband and a dad and that sometimes takes even more work.