Benchmark for female judges

Five women have been recommended for appointment as a High Court judge in the Queen’s Bench and Family Divisions, a stronger showing than in previous rounds.

The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) received 81 applications for the 14 positions, 67 from men and 14 from women. Women made up less than a fifth of applicants but more than a third of recommendations for appointment.

Christopher Stephens, chairman of the JAC, says: “Women have been making good progress at the entry and middle levels of the judiciary for some time and it is very positive to see this filtering through to the High Court, which had a very strong field of candidates.”