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A career in the judiciary—open to all?

02 July 2021 / Elizabeth Johnson
Issue: 7939 / Categories: Features , Profession
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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

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Quillon Law—Neil Dooley

Quillon Law—Neil Dooley

Disputes firm expands fraud and investigations practice with partner hire

Charles Russell Speechlys—Vadim Romanoff

Charles Russell Speechlys—Vadim Romanoff

Firm strengthens corporate tax and incentives team with partner hire

Burges Salmon—Gary Delderfield & Alec Bennett

Burges Salmon—Gary Delderfield & Alec Bennett

Partner and senior associate join pensions team

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The government’s decision to make the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the Single Professional Services Supervisor marks a watershed in the UK’s fight against money laundering, says Rebecca Hughes of Corker Binning in this week's NLJ. The FCA will now oversee 60,000 firms across legal and accountancy sectors—a massive expansion of remit that raises questions over resources and readiness 
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Paige Coulter of Quinn Emanuel reports on the UK’s first statutory definition of SLAPPs under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023in NLJ this week
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