*/
The percentage of female judges has risen and women make up more than half of the judiciary aged under 40, figures revealed.
The annual statistics from the Judicial Diversity Committee of the Judges’ Council showed that the percentage of female judges increased from 25% in April to 28% in April 2016. In tribunals it remained stable at 45%.
More than half (51%) of the 85 court judges under 40 years of age are women and in tribunals 64% of the 56 judges aged under 40 are women.
The number of female circuit judges rose from 146 (23%) in April 2015 to 160 (26%) in April 2016, but women still struggle to break into the most senior appointments. In the Court of Appeal eight of the 39 (21%) judges are female and 22 (21%) of the 106 High Court judges are women.
The percentage of judges from ethnic minority backgrounds fell from 6% to 5% in the courts and remained at 9% in tribunals.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, said it was ‘encouraging’ that the overall percentage of female judges in courts has increased, but that it was ‘an area of concern’ that there had been no improvement in either courts or tribunals in the total percentage of judges from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The judiciary, he said, ‘must be truly open to everyone of the requisite ability’ and he hoped that the initiatives being pursued would increase diversity.
The percentage of female judges has risen and women make up more than half of the judiciary aged under 40, figures revealed.
The annual statistics from the Judicial Diversity Committee of the Judges’ Council showed that the percentage of female judges increased from 25% in April to 28% in April 2016. In tribunals it remained stable at 45%.
More than half (51%) of the 85 court judges under 40 years of age are women and in tribunals 64% of the 56 judges aged under 40 are women.
The number of female circuit judges rose from 146 (23%) in April 2015 to 160 (26%) in April 2016, but women still struggle to break into the most senior appointments. In the Court of Appeal eight of the 39 (21%) judges are female and 22 (21%) of the 106 High Court judges are women.
The percentage of judges from ethnic minority backgrounds fell from 6% to 5% in the courts and remained at 9% in tribunals.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, said it was ‘encouraging’ that the overall percentage of female judges in courts has increased, but that it was ‘an area of concern’ that there had been no improvement in either courts or tribunals in the total percentage of judges from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The judiciary, he said, ‘must be truly open to everyone of the requisite ability’ and he hoped that the initiatives being pursued would increase diversity.
Chair of the Bar reports back
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
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
A career shaped by advocacy beyond her practice, and the realities of living with an invisible disability – Dr Natasha Shotunde, Black Barristers’ Network Co-Founder and its Chair for seven years, reflects on a decade at the Bar
The odds of success are as unforgiving as ever, but ambition clearly isn’t in short supply. David Wurtzel’s annual deep‑dive into the competition cohort shows who’s entering, who’s thriving and the trends that will define the next wave
Where to start and where to find help? Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, provides an overview of the silk selection process, debunking some myths along the way
Do chatbot providers owe a duty of care for negligent misstatements? Jasper Wong suggests that the principles applicable to humans should apply equally to machines
There is no typical day in the life as a Supreme Court judicial assistant, says Josephine Gillingwater, and that’s what makes the role so enjoyably diverse
