*/
Poor working conditions and ‘dilapidated’ court buildings are having a detrimental effect on recruiting and retaining judges, the House of Lords Constitution Committee warned.
The committee was also ‘deeply concerned’that the pension dispute between the government and judges has damaged judicial morale.
It called on the government to take steps to improve diversity, including encouraging more solicitors to apply for judicial positions, enabling chartered legal executives who have been district judges to apply for higher court roles and removing obstacles faced by government lawyersin gaining the required experience. It also recommended a rethink of the fixed retirement age of 70 for judges.
Committee Chair, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, said:‘The UK has one of the finest judicial systems in the world. However, we have found an alarming number of factors are currently affecting recruitment to the bench, and we are deeply concerned about the impact they are having on the retention of current judges and the attractiveness of the judiciary as a career for potential applicants.’
‘To maintain our gold standard legal system we need the best and brightest candidates coming forward for judicial appointment.
She added that the committee was ‘concerned’ about the lack of diversity on the bench and disappointed with the limited progress since its last report in 2012.
Poor working conditions and ‘dilapidated’ court buildings are having a detrimental effect on recruiting and retaining judges, the House of Lords Constitution Committee warned.
The committee was also ‘deeply concerned’that the pension dispute between the government and judges has damaged judicial morale.
It called on the government to take steps to improve diversity, including encouraging more solicitors to apply for judicial positions, enabling chartered legal executives who have been district judges to apply for higher court roles and removing obstacles faced by government lawyersin gaining the required experience. It also recommended a rethink of the fixed retirement age of 70 for judges.
Committee Chair, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, said:‘The UK has one of the finest judicial systems in the world. However, we have found an alarming number of factors are currently affecting recruitment to the bench, and we are deeply concerned about the impact they are having on the retention of current judges and the attractiveness of the judiciary as a career for potential applicants.’
‘To maintain our gold standard legal system we need the best and brightest candidates coming forward for judicial appointment.
She added that the committee was ‘concerned’ about the lack of diversity on the bench and disappointed with the limited progress since its last report in 2012.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
On the 50th anniversary of the pub bombings, even now it is still unresolved. Chris Mullin, the journalist and former MP who led the campaign leading to the release of the Birmingham Six, looks back at events
Adele Akers’ reflections on health and wellbeing support at the very junior end of the Bar
Not one to say, ‘I told you so,’ Sam Thomas continues his cyber series with the key learnings from the major supply chain attack affecting 80 law firms and at least one set of chambers at the end of 2023
One year on and the Court of Appeal fails to quash convictions after receiving evidence of racism in the jury room, and there are still no revisions to the Equal Treatment Bench Book , says Keir Monteith KC
Increasing sophistication and frequency of attacks have led many chambers to ask ‘when’ not ‘if’ they will suffer a cyber incident. Simon Davis sets out the factors to consider when renewing your cyber cover
