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A third of High Court posts were left unfilled after the most recent recruitment competition, evidence from the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) revealed.
Its report to the Senior Salaries Review Body stated that from April to December last year there were 25 vacancies for the High Court and only 17 appointments made, leaving a shortfall of eight.
Positions went unfilled in three other recruitment exercises – for Circuit judges, salaried judges of the First-tier Tribunal and civil and family district judges.
The commission, which is chaired by a Lord Kakkar, said: ‘For the first time since 2014-15, the overall percentage of outstanding and strong candidates decreased,’ at a time when the number of vacancies has increased.
The statistics will add to concerns that reduced pay and pensions, coupled with increased workloads, have made the judiciary less attractive to the best candidates.
A third of High Court posts were left unfilled after the most recent recruitment competition, evidence from the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) revealed.
Its report to the Senior Salaries Review Body stated that from April to December last year there were 25 vacancies for the High Court and only 17 appointments made, leaving a shortfall of eight.
Positions went unfilled in three other recruitment exercises – for Circuit judges, salaried judges of the First-tier Tribunal and civil and family district judges.
The commission, which is chaired by a Lord Kakkar, said: ‘For the first time since 2014-15, the overall percentage of outstanding and strong candidates decreased,’ at a time when the number of vacancies has increased.
The statistics will add to concerns that reduced pay and pensions, coupled with increased workloads, have made the judiciary less attractive to the best candidates.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
