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Almost two-thirds of the lawyers recruited to become judges last year went to state schools, according to the latest figures from the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).
The data was based on 28 selection exercises conducted in the year ending March 2018, for which 5,125 lawyers applied and 729 were recommended for appointment.
In the legal competitions, 63% of those recommended for immediate appointment were educated at a state school, compared to 35% who went to fee-paying schools, with 2% educated abroad. In addition, 59% were the first in their family to have attended university.
Overall, 40% of those recommended for immediate appointment were women, only 9% came from a black or ethnic minority background and 7% said that they had a disability.
Barristers still accounted for most applications and appointments – solicitors made up 36% of applicants and 21% of those recommended, while barristers represented 50% of applicants and 59% of those recommended.
When it came to appointments to the High Court, 52% had attended a state school and 47% had been educated privately, 27% were female and 5% were from an ethic minority background.
The JAC statistics suggest that the judiciary, which has traditionally been dominated by white men who attended private schools, may slowly be becoming more diverse, although more than 70% of senior judges are from private schools.
Almost two-thirds of the lawyers recruited to become judges last year went to state schools, according to the latest figures from the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).
The data was based on 28 selection exercises conducted in the year ending March 2018, for which 5,125 lawyers applied and 729 were recommended for appointment.
In the legal competitions, 63% of those recommended for immediate appointment were educated at a state school, compared to 35% who went to fee-paying schools, with 2% educated abroad. In addition, 59% were the first in their family to have attended university.
Overall, 40% of those recommended for immediate appointment were women, only 9% came from a black or ethnic minority background and 7% said that they had a disability.
Barristers still accounted for most applications and appointments – solicitors made up 36% of applicants and 21% of those recommended, while barristers represented 50% of applicants and 59% of those recommended.
When it came to appointments to the High Court, 52% had attended a state school and 47% had been educated privately, 27% were female and 5% were from an ethic minority background.
The JAC statistics suggest that the judiciary, which has traditionally been dominated by white men who attended private schools, may slowly be becoming more diverse, although more than 70% of senior judges are from private schools.
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
