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Under the Circuit Diversity Mentor Scheme senior QCs are the first point of contact for barristers interested in applying for judicial appointments or Silk. Desmond Browne QC explains what is involved.
The Circuit Diversity Mentor Scheme was launched last year by my predecessor, Tim Dutton QC. The aim was to encourage the widest and most diverse possible range of applicants for the judiciary and Silk and appointment to the Attorney General’s Civil Panels. It was strongly endorsed by the Judicial Appointments Commission (“JAC”) which has amongst its statutory objectives “the need to encourage diversity in the range of persons available for selection for appointment”.
Circuit Diversity Mentors have now been in post for just over 18 months. In June we held a review meeting with mentors and with representatives of the JAC, the Judicial Office and the Attorney General’s staff, and considered feedback from Circuits and diversity groups. It was agreed that mentors need to be pro-active; to seek out barristers who are ready to apply for an appointment, to encourage them to apply, and to offer information about the process. Barristers who show potential but who need more experience should be guided about the relevant opportunities as to how to develop their careers. The scheme aims to widen access so that all—irrespective of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, socio-economic background, area of practice and whether employed or self-employed—have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.
The mentor’s role
Key aspects of the mentor’s role are:
The JAC, the Attorney General’s staff and QC Appointments (“QCA”) will provide briefings to mentors to ensure that they are up to date on criteria and procedures, and thus able to challenge inaccurate perceptions about appointment processes. Papers de-mystifying the appointments’ processes by the Attorney’s staff and QCA are on the Bar Council’s website. The website of the JAC, QCA and the Treasury Solicitor all have detailed information about competitions and procedure (see website details below). The JAC also publishes a programme of future competitions to help potential applicants plan for which posts they are most suited.
The appointment process
Circuit Diversity Mentors are appointed by Circuit leaders. The role is a demanding one and requires a practitioner of some experience who has obtained an appointment, is approachable and has strong local Circuit knowledge. Mentoring is an important tool to promote professional career development. All mentors will be a source of useful contacts and information. Some mentors will provide long term mentoring assistance, whilst others will share experience and provide guidance and encouragement at important stages in a barrister’s career.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact your Circuit leader. If you would like mentoring guidance, please contact your Circuit Diversity Mentor. If you would like to obtain further information on the scheme please contact Pam Bhalla, the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Adviser. E-mail: pbhalla@barcouncil.org.uk
Desmond Browne QC is Bar Chairman
For further information visit:
www.judicialappointments.gov.uk/
Circuit Diversity Mentors have now been in post for just over 18 months. In June we held a review meeting with mentors and with representatives of the JAC, the Judicial Office and the Attorney General’s staff, and considered feedback from Circuits and diversity groups. It was agreed that mentors need to be pro-active; to seek out barristers who are ready to apply for an appointment, to encourage them to apply, and to offer information about the process. Barristers who show potential but who need more experience should be guided about the relevant opportunities as to how to develop their careers. The scheme aims to widen access so that all—irrespective of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, socio-economic background, area of practice and whether employed or self-employed—have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.
The mentor’s role
Key aspects of the mentor’s role are:
The JAC, the Attorney General’s staff and QC Appointments (“QCA”) will provide briefings to mentors to ensure that they are up to date on criteria and procedures, and thus able to challenge inaccurate perceptions about appointment processes. Papers de-mystifying the appointments’ processes by the Attorney’s staff and QCA are on the Bar Council’s website. The website of the JAC, QCA and the Treasury Solicitor all have detailed information about competitions and procedure (see website details below). The JAC also publishes a programme of future competitions to help potential applicants plan for which posts they are most suited.
The appointment process
Circuit Diversity Mentors are appointed by Circuit leaders. The role is a demanding one and requires a practitioner of some experience who has obtained an appointment, is approachable and has strong local Circuit knowledge. Mentoring is an important tool to promote professional career development. All mentors will be a source of useful contacts and information. Some mentors will provide long term mentoring assistance, whilst others will share experience and provide guidance and encouragement at important stages in a barrister’s career.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact your Circuit leader. If you would like mentoring guidance, please contact your Circuit Diversity Mentor. If you would like to obtain further information on the scheme please contact Pam Bhalla, the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Adviser. E-mail: pbhalla@barcouncil.org.uk
Desmond Browne QC is Bar Chairman
For further information visit:
www.judicialappointments.gov.uk/
Under the Circuit Diversity Mentor Scheme senior QCs are the first point of contact for barristers interested in applying for judicial appointments or Silk. Desmond Browne QC explains what is involved.
The Circuit Diversity Mentor Scheme was launched last year by my predecessor, Tim Dutton QC. The aim was to encourage the widest and most diverse possible range of applicants for the judiciary and Silk and appointment to the Attorney General’s Civil Panels. It was strongly endorsed by the Judicial Appointments Commission (“JAC”) which has amongst its statutory objectives “the need to encourage diversity in the range of persons available for selection for appointment”.
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