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| Most lawyers recommended to be judges went to state schools, data shows | Most lawyers recommended to be judges went to state schools, data shows |
| (5 months later) | |
| Almost two-thirds of lawyers recommended to become judges in the past year attended state schools, according to the first social mobility statistics released by the judicial appointments commission (JAC). | Almost two-thirds of lawyers recommended to become judges in the past year attended state schools, according to the first social mobility statistics released by the judicial appointments commission (JAC). |
| The figures for England and Wales suggest the judiciary may be undergoing a gradual transformation despite criticism that solicitors and those from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are not making significant advances. | The figures for England and Wales suggest the judiciary may be undergoing a gradual transformation despite criticism that solicitors and those from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are not making significant advances. |
| A 2014 survey by the government’s social mobility and child poverty commission found that more than 70% of senior judges were privately educated. | A 2014 survey by the government’s social mobility and child poverty commission found that more than 70% of senior judges were privately educated. |
| However, the JAC’s figures show that 62% of those recommended by the commission in 2017-18 for immediate appointment were educated at a state school. By comparison, 34% went to a fee-paying school and the remaining 4% were educated abroad. | However, the JAC’s figures show that 62% of those recommended by the commission in 2017-18 for immediate appointment were educated at a state school. By comparison, 34% went to a fee-paying school and the remaining 4% were educated abroad. |
| In the same group, 44% had one or more parent who attended university and 56% were the first in their family to attend university. | In the same group, 44% had one or more parent who attended university and 56% were the first in their family to attend university. |
| The figures are based on 28 selection exercises conducted by the JAC last year for which there were more than 5,000 applicants. Overall, women represented 43% of applicants but 47% of those recommended for appointment. | The figures are based on 28 selection exercises conducted by the JAC last year for which there were more than 5,000 applicants. Overall, women represented 43% of applicants but 47% of those recommended for appointment. |
| BAME candidates, however, constituted 19% of candidates but only 13% of those recommended for appointment. Within the legal competitions for the higher judicial posts, BAME candidates formed 19% of applicants but only 9% were recommended. | BAME candidates, however, constituted 19% of candidates but only 13% of those recommended for appointment. Within the legal competitions for the higher judicial posts, BAME candidates formed 19% of applicants but only 9% were recommended. |
| Traditionally, most judges have come from the ranks of barristers but there is increasing resentment among solicitors that they find it far harder to make their way on to the bench. | Traditionally, most judges have come from the ranks of barristers but there is increasing resentment among solicitors that they find it far harder to make their way on to the bench. |
| In the latest legal competitions, solicitors represented 36% of applicants and 21% of recommendations while barristers represented 50% of applicants and 59% of recommendations. | In the latest legal competitions, solicitors represented 36% of applicants and 21% of recommendations while barristers represented 50% of applicants and 59% of recommendations. |
| Andrea Coomber, director of the legal reform charity Justice, said: “While the statistics paint a more encouraging picture for appointments of women to the senior judiciary, the same can’t be said for BAME candidates and solicitors. | Andrea Coomber, director of the legal reform charity Justice, said: “While the statistics paint a more encouraging picture for appointments of women to the senior judiciary, the same can’t be said for BAME candidates and solicitors. |
| “Barristers – not the most diverse bunch – still dominate senior appointments. The concerns expressed in our report of last April remain alive; including that there needs to be more shared accountability between the JAC and the judiciary to effect change.” | “Barristers – not the most diverse bunch – still dominate senior appointments. The concerns expressed in our report of last April remain alive; including that there needs to be more shared accountability between the JAC and the judiciary to effect change.” |
| Peter Herbert, the chair of the Society of Black Lawyers, said: “These statistics demonstrate that racial diversity in the judiciary is simply not happening fast enough. When a royal wedding ceremony demonstrates greater racial diversity than our justice system something is badly wrong. | Peter Herbert, the chair of the Society of Black Lawyers, said: “These statistics demonstrate that racial diversity in the judiciary is simply not happening fast enough. When a royal wedding ceremony demonstrates greater racial diversity than our justice system something is badly wrong. |
| “We urge the minister of justice to adopt clear targets for the recruitment, retention and promotion of BME judges and magistrates. A judicial ‘Rooney rule’ should be adopted so that every BME candidate who fits the criteria must be interviewed. | “We urge the minister of justice to adopt clear targets for the recruitment, retention and promotion of BME judges and magistrates. A judicial ‘Rooney rule’ should be adopted so that every BME candidate who fits the criteria must be interviewed. |
| “These are some of the basic measures necessary that will help to ensure the judiciary and magistracy truly represents the diverse society they serve.” | “These are some of the basic measures necessary that will help to ensure the judiciary and magistracy truly represents the diverse society they serve.” |
| Christina Blacklaws, the vice-president of the Law Society, which represents solicitors across England and Wales, said: “Without doubt the skills solicitors develop in practice are more and more relevant to the changing court environment. | Christina Blacklaws, the vice-president of the Law Society, which represents solicitors across England and Wales, said: “Without doubt the skills solicitors develop in practice are more and more relevant to the changing court environment. |
| “Many solicitors demonstrate the expertise needed to be an effective judge: intellect, the ability to be fair and even-handed, authority, and advanced communications skills. | “Many solicitors demonstrate the expertise needed to be an effective judge: intellect, the ability to be fair and even-handed, authority, and advanced communications skills. |
| “The solicitor profession has a vital part to play ensuring our world-renowned judiciary is as diverse as the society it serves and I would encourage all solicitors to consider whether a judicial role might be right for them.” | “The solicitor profession has a vital part to play ensuring our world-renowned judiciary is as diverse as the society it serves and I would encourage all solicitors to consider whether a judicial role might be right for them.” |
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