A coalition of lawyers’ groups has launched an online education programme to encourage a more diverse range of people to apply to the judiciary.
The Pre-Application Judicial Education (PAJE) programme, which is funded by the government, was launched this week by the Judicial Diversity Forum (composed of the Bar Council, Law Society, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Judiciary, Ministry
of Justice and the Judicial Appointments Commission).
The programme combines online resources with discussion groups led by judges, giving participants a chance to explore what they perceive to be barriers to their joining the judiciary.
It aims to help lawyers understand the role and skills required of a judge before they apply, and provides advice on how to take the next step. It also covers topics relevant to judges such as judgecraft, ethics and resilience.
Lord Burnett, the Lord Chief Justice, said: ‘Promoting diversity and appointing on the basis of merit are mutually reinforcing because the wider the pool the greater the availability of talent, the greater the competition for places and the greater
the quality of appointments.’
Robin Allen QC, chair of the Bar Council’s equality and diversity and social mobility committee, said: ‘Working as a judge requires a different perspective from that of a barrister.
‘Of course, like barristers, judges never stop learning about their job, but there is much they can do in preparation for it.’
Priority will be given to ‘those from currently under-represented groups’― women, individuals from BAME backgrounds and those with a disability―according to Lord Kakkar, chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission and the Judicial Diversity
Forum. Lawyers with a non-litigation background (including solicitors and chartered legal executives) will also be encouraged to apply.
More information, including how to apply, is available here.
