Improvement in diversity of judicial recommendations
A quarter of the lawyers recently recommended for appointment as 28 Deputy District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) were black, Asian or of an ethnic minority (BME).
Nearly 1,500 lawyers applied to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) for the 28 posts available. BME lawyers made up 10% of the eligible pool, 18% of the applicants and 25% of successful applicants.
In contrast, BME lawyers made up only 12% of those selected for 26 roles in 2009, the last time the JAC selected Deputy District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts).
Women accounted for 46% of successful candidates, compared to 44% of the eligible pool—a slight improvement since the 2009 exercise.
They were also more successful than men in progressing from shortlisting to selection.
Applications from barristers more than doubled in comparison to the 2009 exercise, but solicitors who applied were as successful as barristers. The age of successful candidates has been recorded for the first time—three-quarters were aged 45 years or under, and seven were less than 35 years old.
Christopher Stephens, chairman of the JAC, says: “This gives an indication that lawyers are becoming judges younger than the public may perceive and in time for a career in the judiciary and to progress to more senior roles.
“Selections, as always, were made solely on merit and I am delighted to see such a strong performance from BME lawyers and continued good results for women.”
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