header-logo header-logo

02 July 2021 / Elizabeth Johnson
Issue: 7939 / Categories: Features , Profession
printer mail-detail

A career in the judiciary—open to all?

52141
District Tribunal Judge Elizabeth Johnson reflects on her journey to the bench & the need for wider representation
  • Judge Elizabeth Johnson shares her experiences of becoming a judge and encourages other CILEX members as well as lawyers from under-represented groups to follow suit.

There is still considerable under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in our judiciary. Current figures show that although the proportion of women judges is increasing gradually, they still only represent 32% of all judges and 26% of High Court roles or above.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic people represent 8% of court judges and 12% of tribunal judges and research by the Sutton Trust shows that two-thirds of the most senior judges in England and Wales were privately educated.

More progress is needed to ensure the judiciary better reflects the society it serves. We are on the right track, but we need to draw more experienced lawyers from across the whole profession, not just the Bar.

I would like to encourage those who might have previously

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Mark Hastings, Quillon Law

NLJ Career Profile: Mark Hastings, Quillon Law

Mark Hastings, founding partner of Quillon Law, on turning dreams into reality and pushing back on preconceptions about partnership

Kingsley Napley—Silvia Devecchi

Kingsley Napley—Silvia Devecchi

New family law partner for Italian and international clients appointed

Mishcon de Reya—Susannah Kintish

Mishcon de Reya—Susannah Kintish

Firm elects new chair of tier 1 ranked employment department

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll