Judges use their special knowledge and experience to make sure that cases are heard fairly. Judges are impartial. It is not a judge's role to make the law but to make sure that the law is followed properly. The judge in a criminal case will advise the jury on points of law to help them make their decision on whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty.

The judge will wear full court dress (including the wig and red robe) in criminal cases.

In civil and family cases, the judge usually decides what should happen after hearing evidence from both sides. In other countries, judges actually investigate the case themselves, but in the UK they are strictly impartial.

In a civil case the judge usually sits alone, although there are exceptions to this such as libel claims, which are often heard in front of a jury as well. Coroners also sometimes sit with a jury on inquests into someone's death.