Women and ethnic minorities increase presence in 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 Consti-tutional Affairs (DCA).

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

A higher percentage of women who were interviewed for judicial positions were appointed than men 38.4 per cent of those interviewed, in contrast with 32.8 per cent of male interviewees. More male applicants than female received interviews, with 46.6 per cent of the men being interviewed against 45.5 per cent of the 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, as opposed to the 25.6 per cent of appointed solicitors.

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