06 p.1
the barrister
judicial office. Achieving
judiciary
is
a
more
something
diverse
that
I
figures are even starker when we focus
now runs outreach events aimed at
only on the senior levels of the judiciary.
practising lawyers, where they provide
This just isn’t good enough.
information about the requirements
am
of judicial office, and where you can
committed to - both personally and in
During
practising
get advice and guidance about the
my roles as Justice Minister and Minister
solicitor, a judicial career wasn’t seen
appointments process. These events
for Women and Equalities. Our judiciary
as being open to everyone. The ‘tap
present a fantastic opportunity to dispel
is rightly world renowned: respected
on the shoulder’ approach, where it
those myths about judicial appointments
for their professional expertise and
was who you knew and not what you
and what a career in the judiciary might
their independence. But the reputation
knew, still held sway. I don’t recall
be like. I think it is important to have a
of our judges should not distract us
opportunities being widely promoted
realistic view of the demands of judicial
from the fact that the diversity of our
and there was a distinct lack of support
office before applying, to make sure you
judiciary, while improving, is still a
and information available to those
have the right skills and experience to
long way from reflecting the make up
who might have considered applying.
warrant selection.
of society. Of course, our judges must
Thankfully, we have come some way
always be appointed on merit – but
since then, but there is still more that we
The
the judiciary play such a vital role in
could be doing to promote opportunities
important changes to the appointments
the administration of justice that it is
more widely and provide support and
process and to the way in which judges
essential they are representative of the
encouragement to eligible candidates
can work to try to encourage more
people and society they are serving.
from under-represented groups.
people from diverse backgrounds to
my
years
as
a
I believe that more diversity among
Government
is
making
some
apply for office. Through the Crime
our judges will not only increase
We also need to think about how we
and Courts Bill, we are enabling judges
public confidence in the judiciary and
get diverse candidates to consider a
to work part-time in the High Court
the justice system as a whole, but
legal career as an option in the first
and above, a principle that is already
will also provide visible role models
place. The Government is playing its
established in the lower courts, so that
from different backgrounds for those
part in this, as are the judiciary, the
those with responsibilities outside of
aspiring towards the legal profession
Judicial Appointments Commission, The
work still have the opportunity to take
and eventual judicial office.
Law Society and the Bar Council. The
up a judicial post. As a working mother,
Commission has recently updated their
I appreciate the strain that those with
The profile of the legal profession –
research on the perceived barriers to
caring responsibilities can be under,
the judges of the future - is, albeit
applying for judicial office, which sought
and I think offering this flexibility and
slowly, evolving into a more diverse
the views from a range of contributors.
prospect of a better work-life balance
and representative one.
It is also
This report, when published, will help
could
encouraging to note that more women
shape the work that all of us involved
who have rejected a judicial career
are being recommended across all
in the process take forward over the
reconsider.
levels of the judiciary, and candidates
coming years.
from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic
make
talented
individuals
I cannot emphasise enough that none of
backgrounds are performing well in
The Bar Council runs an annual social
these changes will alter the fundamental
entry-level
However,
mobility Bar Placement Scheme, which
principle that judges must always be
change is not happening quickly enough.
introduces sixth form students to life at
appointed on merit. But, such is the
Still only 22.6 per cent of our judiciary
the Bar, and also works with schools
importance of increasing diversity to
sitting in the courts are women and of
to encourage able students to consider
public confidence in the criminal justice
those who stated their ethnicity, only
a career at the Bar. The Bar Council’s
system, where there are two candidates
5.2 per cent are from a Black, Asian
Equality
Committee
who are completely indistinguishable on
or Minority Ethnic background. These
in partnership with the Commission
merit, selection panels will be allowed
competitions.
and
Diversity