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Call to attract diverse judiciary Call to attract diverse judiciary
(20 minutes later)
Women, ethnic minorities, disabled and gay people applying to be judges in England and Wales should receive preferential treatment, a report says.Women, ethnic minorities, disabled and gay people applying to be judges in England and Wales should receive preferential treatment, a report says.
"Positive action" should be taken with candidates of equal ability to make the judiciary more diverse, the Advisory Panel on Judicial Diversity said."Positive action" should be taken with candidates of equal ability to make the judiciary more diverse, the Advisory Panel on Judicial Diversity said.
But it ruled out the idea of quotas for senior judges.But it ruled out the idea of quotas for senior judges.
The Ministry of Justice said the report's recommendations had been accepted in full.The Ministry of Justice said the report's recommendations had been accepted in full.
Currently women make up 19% of all judges, while ethnic minorities represent 4%.Currently women make up 19% of all judges, while ethnic minorities represent 4%.
Only three of the 163 most senior judges sitting in the High Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal are from minority groups.Only three of the 163 most senior judges sitting in the High Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal are from minority groups.
Baroness Neuberger, who chaired the panel, said she hoped the proposals would lead to the judiciary accurately reflecting society within 10 years.Baroness Neuberger, who chaired the panel, said she hoped the proposals would lead to the judiciary accurately reflecting society within 10 years.
I warmly welcome their findings and their recommendations. Becoming a judge must be, and must be seen to be, open in practice to everyone with the right skills and qualities Justice Secretary Jack StrawI warmly welcome their findings and their recommendations. Becoming a judge must be, and must be seen to be, open in practice to everyone with the right skills and qualities Justice Secretary Jack Straw
She said the "tap on the unrepresented shoulder" would not replace the proper selection process, but would ensure marginalised groups were not deterred from applying.She said the "tap on the unrepresented shoulder" would not replace the proper selection process, but would ensure marginalised groups were not deterred from applying.
"There are some groups who are less likely to apply, who feel that they are less likely to get through if they do apply."There are some groups who are less likely to apply, who feel that they are less likely to get through if they do apply.
"There may be some people who you particularly encourage, but that doesn't mean they are going to get the job," she said."There may be some people who you particularly encourage, but that doesn't mean they are going to get the job," she said.
The report said it was wrong for members of the judiciary to be drawn from a "narrow and homogenous group" that failed to reflect the society it served.The report said it was wrong for members of the judiciary to be drawn from a "narrow and homogenous group" that failed to reflect the society it served.
Experience of diversity
It called on law firms and senior judges to encourage staff from under-represented groups to apply for judicial office.It called on law firms and senior judges to encourage staff from under-represented groups to apply for judicial office.
Senior judges should also be required to say when they planned to retire, so those selected to replace them would know when posts were likely to become available, it said.Senior judges should also be required to say when they planned to retire, so those selected to replace them would know when posts were likely to become available, it said.
Some approved candidates have been waiting up to two and a half years to take up jobs. Some approved candidates have been waiting up to two-and-a-half years to take up jobs.
The panel, which began its work in April 2009, also called for all candidates for judicial office to be able to demonstrate experience of diversity in either their private or professional lives.The panel, which began its work in April 2009, also called for all candidates for judicial office to be able to demonstrate experience of diversity in either their private or professional lives.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "I warmly welcome their findings and their recommendations. Becoming a judge must be, and must be seen to be, open in practice to everyone with the right skills and qualities."Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "I warmly welcome their findings and their recommendations. Becoming a judge must be, and must be seen to be, open in practice to everyone with the right skills and qualities."