Responding to reports in The Guardian that several senior judges are members of the Garrick Club, a by-invitation-only private member’s club for men in London, Townend said: ‘The Bar Council is committed to ensuring those who work within the justice system are more reflective of the society we serve.
‘Closed doors and exclusionary spaces do not foster support or collaboration between colleagues. Where progression from the legal profession into the judiciary relies on references, they create the potential for unfair advantage.
‘For now, it is a matter for individuals to determine whether or not membership of an institution, such as the Garrick Club, is compatible with the views they espouse in their professional lives, but this may change. As a profession it is vitally important that we retain the trust and confidence of the public.’
According to press reports, about 150 barristers, a Supreme Court judge, five Court of Appeal judges, eight High Court judges, as well as several other judges and senior solicitors are currently members of the club.
At least four senior judges have resigned from the Garrick since The Guardian report— Court of Appeal judge Sir Keith Lindblom and High Court judges Nicholas Cusworth, Nicholas Lavender and Ian Dove.
Townend said there was ‘a significant body of evidence showing that women working in the legal profession, at all levels, face discrimination at work.
‘This is illustrated by the Bar Council's own research on gender disparities in career progression, retention and earnings. Women barristers have told the Bar Council they have lower overall wellbeing and disproportionately experience bullying and harassment when compared to their male counterparts at work.
‘Women barristers have not yet secured equal representation or remuneration in our profession and are underrepresented in the judiciary’.
