*/
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.
The Bar Council faces both opportunities and challenges on our key areas this year
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the role that drug, alcohol and DNA testing can play in non-court dispute resolution (NCDR)
Casey Randall explores what makes AlphaBiolabs the industry leader for court-admissible DNA testing
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
A family lawyer has won a £500 donation for her preferred charity, an education centre for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, thanks to drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back campaign
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
Are Birmingham’s Intensive Supervision Courts successfully turning women offenders’ lives around? Chloe Ashley talks to District Judge Michelle Smith
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Governments who play fast and loose with the law get into real trouble, says the new Attorney General. The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC talks to Anthony Inglese CB about what drew this boy from Cardiff to the Bar, bringing the barrister ethos to the front bench, and how he will be measuring success