*/
There is an ‘urgent need’ for positive action to increase the number of women and ethnic minority lawyers on the bench, the Bar Council said after statistics revealed a ‘serious problem’ with appointments.
The latest figures released by the Judicial Appointments Commission revealed that ethnic minority candidates made up 20% of applicants, but only 6% of appointments, they were disproportionately less likely to succeed in applying to be High Court and Circuit Judges, and none had applied for senior judicial roles.
Women made up 42% of applicants, but accounted for only 35% of appointments. While their success rate in applying to be High Court judges was proportionate to those who applied, women made up only 35% of the pool of applicants.
The Bar Council said the figures showed a ‘serious problem’ with appointments and underlined the need for ‘targeted support and training’.
Robin Allen QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Committee, said: ‘We cannot go on having no [ethnic ninority] applications for senior judicial roles. The rule of law requires a fully diverse judiciary.
‘Once again the figures reveal the urgent need for positive action,’ he said.
The Bar Council is working in partnership to develop a programme of pre-application judicial education for those thinking of applying, with places reserved for people from under-represented groups.
More positively, of the 21 new deputy High Court judges announced last month, seven were women, five were solicitors and some were the first in their family to have attended university.
There is an ‘urgent need’ for positive action to increase the number of women and ethnic minority lawyers on the bench, the Bar Council said after statistics revealed a ‘serious problem’ with appointments.
The latest figures released by the Judicial Appointments Commission revealed that ethnic minority candidates made up 20% of applicants, but only 6% of appointments, they were disproportionately less likely to succeed in applying to be High Court and Circuit Judges, and none had applied for senior judicial roles.
Women made up 42% of applicants, but accounted for only 35% of appointments. While their success rate in applying to be High Court judges was proportionate to those who applied, women made up only 35% of the pool of applicants.
The Bar Council said the figures showed a ‘serious problem’ with appointments and underlined the need for ‘targeted support and training’.
Robin Allen QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Committee, said: ‘We cannot go on having no [ethnic ninority] applications for senior judicial roles. The rule of law requires a fully diverse judiciary.
‘Once again the figures reveal the urgent need for positive action,’ he said.
The Bar Council is working in partnership to develop a programme of pre-application judicial education for those thinking of applying, with places reserved for people from under-represented groups.
More positively, of the 21 new deputy High Court judges announced last month, seven were women, five were solicitors and some were the first in their family to have attended university.
Barbara Mills KC, the new Chair of the Bar, outlines some key themes and priorities
A family lawyer has won a £500 donation for her preferred charity, an education centre for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, thanks to drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back campaign
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Governments who play fast and loose with the law get into real trouble, says the new Attorney General. The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC talks to Anthony Inglese CB about what drew this boy from Cardiff to the Bar, bringing the barrister ethos to the front bench, and how he will be measuring success
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
