Minorities take bigger share of the judiciary

A new report reveals an increase in the number of women and people from ethnic minorities appointed to the judiciary last year.

The findings are published in the Judicial Appointments Annual Report produced by the Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA).

The percentage of individuals from ethnic minority groups appointed rose to 14.4 per cent of total appointments from 8.9 per cent last year. Female appointments increased by 1 per cent to 32 per cent.

A higher percentage of women interviewed for judicial positions were appointed than men – 38.4 per cent compared with 32.8 per cent of males. More male applicants had interviews – 46.6 per cent compared with 45.5 per cent of women.

Although more applications came from solicitors than barristers, more barristers (including QCs) were ultimately appointed to the judiciary. Nearly 30 per cent of all appointments were barristers, compared with 25.6 per cent of solicitors.

The rest of the newly appointed judges were neither barristers nor solicitors. The figures include magistrates and tribunal appointments.
Just three weeks before the report was published, the DCA launched its consultation paper on increasing diversity in the judiciary.