More women on the bench

For the year between April 2005 and March 2006, 200 of 337 appointees were men (59%) and 137 were women (41%). Additionally, 84% were white while 14% were black or ethnic minority candidates (BME)—six were listed as unknown. The new judges were, on average, 50 years old and had completed roughly 13.6 years of legal practice.

The latest figures compare favourably to those for the previous year when 69% were men, 31% were women and 9% were BME candidates.

Vera Baird, Equalities Minister at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, says increasing diversity in the judiciary is a key priority.

Baroness Usha Prashar, chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), says: “The JAC selects candidates for judicial office on merit and merit alone. We are committed to widening the range of applicants for judicial appointment and to ensuring that the very best eligible candidates are drawn from a wider range of backgrounds.”